Hugh Laurie, attacked for mourning ‘Tehran’ producer, rejects assumptions he’s ‘Zionist’

British actor Hugh Laurie on Saturday lashed out against people calling him a “Zionist” for mourning the death of “Tehran” producer Dana Eden – but insisted that the term does not apply to him, sparking further criticism from different quarters.

“Nothing I have ever said or done could lead a sane person to believe that I am a Zionist. However. If someone exults in the death of a friend of mine, yes I will block them. If you wouldn’t do the same in my position, you can fuck off too,” he wrote on X, days after he wrote an initial post about Eden’s death.

The actor then clarified that he was not identifying as an anti-Zionist, either, writing: “God almighty, why does no one understand English any more? I have not spoken or written a word that would indicate pro or anti Zionism. That’s what those words mean. Blimey.”

The comments came after Laurie wrote on X on Tuesday, mourning the Israeli producer, who was found dead in Athens last weekend during filming of the show’s fourth season. No cause of death was given, but police said they were investigating it as a possible suicide.

“Dana Eden, who co-created and produced ‘Tehran’, died on Sunday, seemingly by her own hand. It’s a terrible thing. She was brilliant, and funny, and an exceptional leader. Love and condolences to all who knew her,” Laurie’s first post read.

Though many of the responses were sympathetic, others disparaged Eden, calling her a “Zionist propagandist” or “part of the occupation force’s propaganda arm,” and saying she “creates propaganda for Israel so that that they can kill kids more effectively.”

God almighty, why does no one understand English any more? I have not spoken or written a word that would indicate pro or anti Zionism. That’s what those words mean. Blimey.

— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) February 20, 2026

On Thursday, Laurie posted, in an apparent response to the nasty reactions his original post received: “I used to hate blocking people, and hardly ever did it. I’m older now.”

On Saturday, he made the contentious posts about being, or not being, a “Zionist.”

The latter post drew further backlash, this time from pro-Israel influencers, who responded to Laurie by defining Zionism and insisting it was nothing to be ashamed of. Others called his clarification “slimy, weak and sad,” or labeled him a “pathetic weasel.”

Dana Eden was 52 when her body was discovered in her hotel room during filming for “Tehran.” The Israeli producer was among the leading figures in the country’s film industry.

The award-winning show was produced for the Kan public broadcaster, and was available internationally on Apple TV. The show follows an Israeli spy of Iranian Jewish descent operating in Tehran to thwart the theocracy’s nuclear program.

Laurie starred in the show’s third season, and was expected to appear in the fourth as well.

Anti-Israel voices have accused the show of presenting an Israeli narrative about Iran, which regularly vows to destroy Israel and funds terror groups across the region that attack it.