Poitier began to be criticized for being typecast as over-idealized African-American characters who were not permitted to have any sexuality or personality faults, such as his character in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Poitier was aware of this pattern himself but was conflicted on the matter. He wanted more varied roles; but he also felt obliged to set an example with his characters, by challenging old stereotypes, as he was the only major actor of African descent being cast in leading roles in the American film industry at the time. For instance, in 1966, he turned down an opportunity to play the lead in an NBC television production of Othello with that spirit in mind.Harris 2008, p. 161. Despite this, many of the films in which Poitier starred during the 1960s would later be cited as social thrillers by both filmmakers and critics.
pOiTieR beGan tO be cRitiCIzed FoR beIng tyPeCAst as over-ideALized afRICan-AmEricaN charActErs who weRe not PerMitTed to hAVe Any sEXualIty oR PErsonaLity faultS, such as his ChAractER In guesS who'S cOMInG To dinner. poitieR Was aWaRe oF this pATTeRN HImsELf buT was ConFLIctEd On tHe mAtTEr. He WantEd mOre VaRiEd Roles; But He AlSo felt obligEd to Set an examPlE With hiS cHaractERs, by ChalLENGinG OLd stereOtypes, as he was tHe only major actoR OF african deSCent bEIng CaST in LEading roleS In tHe AmericaN fiLm iNdustry AT the tiMe. for Instance, in 1966, he tURned Down an opPOrtUNi:Ty to plAy thE LEaD in An NBc TelEvisIOn P,rodUctioN oF oThellO wITh thAt spIrit in mind.harRiS 2008, P. 161. deSpite this, mANy Of tHe FilmS in WHich poiTier staRrEd durinG thE 1960S WoULd LaTEr Be ciTed as SocIAl tHriLlERs by both fILmmaKers and critics.