The Witches: Anne Hathaway apologises for ‘extremely damaging’ depiction of people with disabilities

Warner Bros also said filmmakers were ‘deeply saddened’ by offence caused

The Witches star Anne Hathaway has apologised after the depiction of her character's hands in the film was accused of being insensitive towards disabled people.

Campaigners have heavily criticised the latest adaptation of the Roald Dahl book after Hathaway's lead character – the Grand High Witch – is shown with what appears to be Ectrodactyly, a limb abnormality sometimes referred to as “split hand”.

This detail is not a part of the character's description in Dahl's novel and was added in by the makers of the film, who “worked with designers and artists to come up with a new interpretation of the cat-like claws” mentioned in the original text.

British Para swimmer Amy Marren was among those criticising director Robert Zemeckis’s recent adaptation, saying its depiction of the witches’ hands could be harmful to people – especially children – with limb impairments.

Academy Award-winner Hathaway has now joined studio Warner Bros in issuing an apology and said: “Now that I know better I promise I’ll do better”.

She wrote on Instagram: “Let me begin by saying I do my best to be sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others not out of some scrambling PC fear, but because not hurting others seems like a basic level of decency we should all be striving for.

“As someone who really believes in inclusivity and really, really detests cruelty, I owe you all an apology for the pain caused. I am sorry. I did not connect limb difference with the GHW when the look of the character was brought to me; if I had, I assure you this never would have happened.”

She added: “I particularly want to say I’m sorry to kids with limb differences: now that I know better I promise I’ll do better. And I owe a special apology to everyone who loves you as fiercely as I love my own kids: I’m sorry I let your family down.”

Hathaway also shared a video from the Lucky Fin Project, an organisation supporting those with limb differences.

A Warner Bros representative said filmmakers were “deeply saddened” at causing upset.

The Witches also stars Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci.

Additional reporting by PA