Joseph Fiennes has hit out at those who are criticizing him for accepting the role of Michael Jackson in an upcoming film about the King of Pop.

The show, part of a series about unlikely stories from cultural history, centers on the bizarre true-life story in which Jackson embarked on a road trip with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando following the 9/11 attacks.

Speaking with reporters, Fiennes says that he understands the shock at his casting, but also says it's no secret that Jackson had light-toned skin.

"I'm a white, middle-class guy from London. I'm as shocked as you may be," Fiennes told reporters before adding, "Michael Jackson definitely had an issue - a pigmentation issue - and that's something I do believe.

He was probably closer to my colour than his original colour."

He went on to speak about the project saying, "It's kind of off the wall, but the writing is a delight, and the kind of interaction between the three of them is funny, and also full of pathos.

It's people who are so iconic, but also can be detached. You know, you can get detached from society.

So it's examining that kind of wonderful and mad detachment."