Netflix Faces Lawsuit after Jada Smith’s ‘Queen Cleopatra’ Casts Black Actor Adele James in Titular Role
A legal twist is added to the long-standing discussion about the ethnicity of the legendary queen. Egypt is in an uproar over the upcoming Netflix documentary Queen Cleopatra, in which British actress, Adele James portrays the first-century Egyptian ruler with African roots. The 27-year-old actress belongs to a mixed heritage.
As a result, an Egyptian lawyer has objected to the mixed-race actor being cast as Queen Cleopatra in Jada Smith’s production.
Pinkett-Smith’s Queen Cleopatra has sparked a wider debate in the nation because renowned archeologists are adamant that the 1st-century BC monarch was a “light-skinned” Greek woman, not an African.
On Sunday, attorney Mahmoud al-Semary submitted a complaint to the nation’s public prosecutor, requesting to restrict access to Netflix in Egypt.
He further claimed that the show contained material that was against Egyptian media laws and that Netflix was trying to “promote the Afrocentric thinking… which includes slogans and writings aimed at distorting and erasing the Egyptian identity.”
Netflix Is Facing Lawsuit Over Queen Cleopatra
Academics in Egypt claim that Queen Cleopatra, who was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 69 BC and had come from a Greek-speaking dynasty, was not ‘Black’ but rather of ‘European ancestry’.
According to reports, an Egyptian lawyer has filed a complaint requesting that legal action be taken to completely block Netflix in Egypt to stop the show from airing. The documentary, which will premiere on May 10, is alleged to have broken the nation’s media laws.
Netflix, meanwhile, turned down a request for immediate comment.
Jada Pinkett Smith was quoted by Netflix’s promotional website, Tudum in February, saying that the decision to cast Adele James as Queen Cleopatra was “a nod to the centuries-long conversation about the ruler’s race” because the queen’s ancestry has been disputed.
“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, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them.”
Also read: Cleopatra: Gal Gadot’s Film Will Now Be Directed By ‘Falcon & The Winter Soldier’ Director
What Was Adele James’ Reaction To This?
The release of the Queen Cleopatra trailer last week generated controversy in Egypt. A prominent Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, was quoted by the newspaper, al-Masry al-Youm as vehemently disputing the idea that Queen Cleopatra was of mixed racial heritage. “This is completely fake. Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was light-skinned, not Black.”
Meanwhile, Adele James has urged haters via Twitter to stop watching the show if they don’t like the casting.
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
The depiction of Queen Cleopatra in movies has long been controversial. The Macedonian general Ptolemy, who had served Alexander the Great, established a Greek-speaking dynasty, whose last monarch was Queen Cleopatra.
She was born in Alexandria in 69 BC, had taken the throne in place of her father, Ptolemy XII in 51 BC, and ruled until she died in 30 BC. At this point, the kingdom was conquered by the Romans.
Although her mother’s identity is unknown, some historians theorize that she or another ancestor may have been an African native or from another country on the continent.
The queen’s portrayal, however, drew harsh criticism from many Egyptians who took to social media when the trailer was released last week.
Jada Smith’s Queen Cleopatra will be released on Netflix on May 10.
Source: Variety
