Black Actors Condemn Online Racial Abuse of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers in Romeo & Juliet Casting

Over 800 Black women and non-binary actors in the entertainment industry have united to denounce the appalling online racial abuse directed at Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, following her recent casting as Juliet in a London West End production of ‘Romeo & Juliet‘ alongside a star-studded cast that includes Holland.

The initiative, led by ‘Enola Holmes’ actor Susan Wokoma and ‘Crowning Glory’ playwright Somalia Nonyé Seaton, released a powerful open letter on Wednesday voicing their support for Amewudah-Rivers.

The letter highlighted the outpouring of love and congratulations the young actress initially received but then turned to address the abhorrent racist and misogynistic attacks she faced, describing them as a familiar horror for many visible Black performers in the industry.

Among the 883 signatories standing in solidarity with Amewudah-Rivers are acclaimed actors such as Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Lolly Adefope, Freema Agyeman, Wunmi Mosaku, and Tamara Lawrance.

The open letter comes in response to the social media backlash that ensued after the announcement of Amewudah-Rivers’ casting in ‘Romeo & Juliet’, a production directed by Jamie Lloyd and already sold out for its run at the Duke of York’s Theatre from May 23 to August 3.

While the statement from the Jamie Lloyd Company addressing the racial abuse did not explicitly mention Amewudah-Rivers, it condemned the deplorable attacks and emphasized the need to support artists against online harassment.

Amewudah-Rivers, known for her roles in ‘Bad Education’ and various theater productions, has garnered recognition for her talent and dedication to the craft, with previous performances in notable plays such as ‘Macbeth‘, ‘Antigone’, and ‘Othello’.

The industry’s response to the online abuse faced by Amewudah-Rivers reflects a larger issue of systemic racism and misogyny that Black performers often encounter, underscoring the need for collective support and advocacy against such discrimination.