Netflix accused of ‘blackwashing’ Cleopatra in African Queens

Netflix has been accused of attempting to erase the Egyptian identity by choosing to depict Queen Cleopatra VII as black in an upcoming docudrama produced by Jada Pinkett Smith.

Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra, 1963

Netflix has come under fire for its upcoming docudrama African Queens, which depicts Queen Cleopatra VII as a black woman, with critics accusing the streaming service of attempting to erase the Egyptian identity.

Adele James, a bi-racial British actor best known for her work in Casualty, has received backlash for her portrayal of Cleopatra, and the show’s executive producer, Jada Pinkett Smith, has also faced criticism for the casting choice.

The controversy surrounding the portrayal of Cleopatra stems from a centuries-old debate about the ancient ruler’s racial profile. Some Egyptian cultural leaders have accused Netflix and Pinkett Smith of “falsifying facts” and attempting to rewrite history by depicting Cleopatra as black. Archaeologist and former Egyptian Minister of antiquities, Zahi Hawass, claimed that ”Cleopatra was Greek” and accused Netflix of spreading false information about the origin of Egyptian civilisation.

The backlash has also resulted in a lawsuit in Egypt, with an Egyptian lawyer filing a case against Netflix for not conforming to Islamic and societal values and principles, “especially Egyptian ones.”

Adele James (L) in the upcoming Netflix docudrama 'African Queens: Queen Cleopatra'

However, James has pushed back against the criticism, stating on Twitter, “If you don’t like the casting, don’t watch the show.” She also attached screengrabs of abusive comments she had received, some of which included racist slurs, expressing her hope that her casting will have a positive impact on “young people all over the world who look like me.”

Just FYI, this kind of behaviour won’t be tolerated on my account. You will be blocked without hesitation!!!

If you don’t like the casting don’t watch the show. Or do & engage in (expert) opinion different to yours. Either way, I’M GASSED and will continue to be! 🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽 pic.twitter.com/zhJjaUkxyc

— Adele James (@Adele_JJames) April 13, 2023

While Cleopatra’s racial identity has been a topic of debate in the film industry for decades, with previous depictions portraying her as white, with actors like Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh playing the role on screen, scholars generally agree that Cleopatra was of mixed heritage, with her father being Macedonian-Greek and some Persian, and the ethnicity of her mother remaining unverified.

Pinkett Smith commented on the decision to cast a bi-racial actor as Cleopatra, stating, “We don’t often get to see or hear stories about black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter.”

“We don’t often get to see or hear stories about black queens,” said show producer Jada Pinkett Smith. Picture: Getty

The decision to cast a bi-racial actor to play Cleopatra is a nod to the ongoing conversation about the ruler’s race, according to Netflix. The streaming giant has said that “given that Cleopatra represents herself as an Egyptian, it seems strange to insist on depicting her as wholly European.”

African Queens will premiere on Netflix on May 10.