US actor Halle Berry has stepped away from a potential film role as a transgender man after receiving criticism online.

The 53 year-old came under fire during an Instagram Live when discussing her preparations for the role over the weekend as she said she wanted to ‘deep dive’ into ‘that world’.

She was also accused of misgendering after repeatedly referencing the character as a woman. 

Berry said: "I’m thinking of [playing] a character where the woman is a trans character, so she’s a woman that transitioned into a man.

“I want to experience that world, understand that world. I want to deep dive in that.

“Who this woman was is so interesting to me, and that will probably be my next project, and that will require me cutting all of my hair off."

She has now apologised for her remarks and stepped down from the role.

Speaking on social media, she wrote: "Over the weekend I had the opportunity to discuss my consideration of an upcoming role as a transgender man and I’d like to apologise for those remarks.

"As a cisgender woman, I now understand that I should not have considered this role and that the transgender community should undeniably have the opportunity to tell their own stories.

"I am grateful for the guidance and critical conversation over the past few days and I will continue to listen, educate and learn from this mistake.

"I vow to be an ally in using my voice to promote better representation on-screen, both in front of and behind the camera."