“Black Actors Rally Behind Francesca Amewudah-Rivers Amid Racial Abuse Controversy in Romeo & Juliet Casting”
More than 800 predominantly Black female and non-binary actors have united in support of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who faced racial abuse online following her casting in a new rendition of Romeo & Juliet.
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Renowned figures such as Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, alongside actors including Lolly Adefope, Freema Agyeman, Wunmi Mosaku, and Tamara Lawrance, have signed an open letter denouncing the racial harassment directed at Amewudah-Rivers.
The letter asserts, “Too many times, Black performers – particularly Black actresses – are left to face the storm of online abuse after committing the crime of getting a job on their own.”
This response comes in the wake of a statement from the Jamie Lloyd theatre company condemning the “barrage of deplorable racial abuse” targeting Amewudah-Rivers, which escalated following the announcement of her role as Juliet alongside Tom Holland as Romeo.
Organized by Enola Holmes actor Susan Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton, the letter expresses solidarity with Amewudah-Rivers and criticizes the perpetrators for their hateful actions. The signatories also commend the theatre company’s statement and call for committed emotional support for Amewudah-Rivers throughout the production.
Lynch, known for her roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and as MI6 agent Nomi in No Time to Die, joins Atim, a double Olivier award-winning actor, and Jean-Baptiste, acclaimed for her role in Secrets & Lies, among the signatories.
The letter underscores the importance of offering help and support to Black artists facing racist or misogynistic abuse and calls for a collective effort to combat such behavior. It sends a clear message of solidarity to Amewudah-Rivers and other Black women performers who confront similar challenges, affirming their talent and resilience in the face of adversity.
Romeo & Juliet, set to run at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 11 May to 3 August, marks Amewudah-Rivers’ West End debut. The play, directed by Jamie Lloyd, promises a fresh interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic tale, with Amewudah-Rivers set to shine alongside Holland in her inaugural major theatre role. Lloyd, known for his bold productions of classic plays, aims to deliver a vibrant and compelling rendition of this timeless story, supported by a diverse and talented cast.
