Netflix’s recent four-part documentary series, “Queen Cleopatra,” has become the subject of intense controversy, receiving notably low ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 2% audience score and 10% from critics. The production, narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith, serves as the second installment of the two-season series, “African Queens,” with the first season focusing on Queen Njinga’s reign during the 1600s.
The narrative surrounding Cleopatra has ignited heated debates and sparked backlash. The primary point of contention stems from the casting of Black actress Adele James to portray the iconic queen. Critics argue that James’ casting is historically inaccurate and have labeled it as “appropriation.” Interestingly, previous portrayals of Cleopatra have often featured non-Egyptian actresses, most notably blue-eyed Elizabeth Taylor.
Shortly after the release of the series trailer, Netflix was compelled to disable comments on YouTube due to the overwhelming amount of racial abuse and hostile commentary.
Even The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt argues that the documentary nature of the series necessitates accurate historical and scientific investigation. They further contend that statues of Queen Cleopatra confirm her possession of Hellenistic (Greek) features, including light skin, an elongated nose, and thin lips.
They stated that Cleopatra’s portrayal in the show represents a “falsification of Egyptian history and a blatant historical fallacy.”
Egyptian lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary has even called for a ban on the show, accusing Netflix of misrepresenting “Egyptian identity” to promote Afrocentric thinking.
Netflix has released a statement addressing the controversy, emphasizing that Queen Cleopatra’s ethnicity is not the focal point of the series. The streaming platform intentionally chose to depict her as of mixed ethnicity to reflect theories about Cleopatra’s potential Egyptian ancestry and the multicultural nature of ancient Egypt. Tina Gharavi, the director of the series, defended the casting choice in an article for Variety, arguing that it is more accurate than Elizabeth Taylor’s portrayal and characterizing the selection of a Black woman as Cleopatra as a “political act.”
Adele James, the actress who plays Cleopatra, took to Twitter to denounce the abusive messages she received, stating that such behavior would not be tolerated on her account and promising to block offenders without hesitation.
But amidst all the accusations of being woke, Netflix has further ignited the spark. Also, the exceptionally low ratings will be a lesson to remember.
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