Prominent Black Actors Decry Racial Abuse Against Francesca Amewudah-Rivers in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Casting

Francesca Amewudah – In the wake of the announcement that Francesca Amewudah-Rivers would star as Juliet alongside Tom Holland in a West End production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet,” a storm of racial and misogynistic abuse has erupted online. This prompted prominent Black actors, including Lashana Lynch and Susan Wokoma, to pen an open letter denouncing the harassment faced by Amewudah-Rivers.

The letter, organized by Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton and signed by over 880 individuals, highlights the pervasive issue of Black performers, especially actresses, enduring online abuse simply for securing roles. It condemns the racist and misogynistic attacks directed at Amewudah-Rivers and calls for an end to the neglectful silence of theater companies and producers in the face of such abuse.

The Jamie Lloyd Company, responsible for the production, has issued a statement condemning the racial abuse and asserting their commitment to supporting their artists against online harassment.

Amewudah-Rivers, known for her previous work in BBC series and stage productions, finds herself at the center of this controversy despite her talent and experience. The letter serves as a rallying cry to support Black women performers facing similar abuse, emphasizing the resilience required to create art amidst systemic challenges like misogynoir.

The incident sheds light on the ongoing struggles of Black actors in the entertainment industry and underscores the urgent need for solidarity and action against online harassment and discrimination.