Mary is not white and she’s not a villain. Mary is passing for white and she was raised by her Black mother who also raised the twins.

A wave of online debate has sparked fresh conversation around the character of Mary, a figure often misunderstood in both appearance and intent. While some critics have painted Mary as a symbol of betrayal or ambiguity, new perspectives are shedding light on the truth: Mary is not white — and she’s certainly not the villain.

What many don’t realize is that Mary is passing for white, a nuanced and historically rooted identity often shaped by societal pressure and survival. In Mary’s case, this isn’t a sign of denial — it’s a reflection of how complex racial identity can be in a world that still struggles with colorism and systemic bias.

Perhaps most crucially, Mary was raised by her Black mother, the same woman who also raised the twins — adding a layer of familial loyalty and shared upbringing that critics often overlook. Her connection to her heritage isn’t something she abandoned — it’s something deeply woven into her character, even if it’s not always visible on the surface.

Those rushing to label Mary as a villain may be missing the bigger picture. Her decisions, expressions, and identity exist in a grey area — not evil, but deeply human. And in a media landscape that often flattens characters of color into stereotypes, Mary stands as a rare example of complexity.

Fans and scholars alike are now calling for a more thoughtful conversation around how mixed-race and “white-passing” characters are portrayed — and perceived — in modern storytelling. It’s not just about race, but about how we understand identity, loyalty, and internal struggle.

The verdict? Mary is more than meets the eye. And it’s time we stop trying to fit her into a box she never asked to be in.