The Debate Online Surrounding Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers' Roles in 'Romeo and Juliet'

Why the Internet Is at Odds Over Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah Rivers Romeo and Juliet

Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah Rivers Getty Images 2

The Internet has been buzzing with chatter ever since Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was cast alongside Tom Holland in an upcoming London production of Romeo & Juliet.

Amewudah-Rivers was revealed as the show's Juliet in March, following the announcement of Holland, 27, starring in the William Shakespeare play. However, since her addition to the cast, numerous negative comments about the actress' appearance and race have surfaced online.

Trolls targeted Amewudah-Rivers on her Instagram page, leading to bullying against the Black actress. The harassment got so bad that the official Romeo & Juliet Instagram page decided to disable comments. On April 5, director Jamie Lloyd's production company released a statement addressing the social media trolls and their hurtful comments towards Amewudah-Rivers.

The Instagram statement stated, "After announcing our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a wave of unacceptable racial abuse online directed towards one of our team members. This behavior needs to stop." The statement continued, "We are collaborating with a talented group of artists who deserve to work without being subjected to online harassment."

The production company reassured the entire cast and crew that they would receive ongoing support and protection. They emphasized their zero-tolerance policy for abuse, promising to maintain a safe environment for everyone involved.

In a statement, they condemned bullying and harassment, stating that such behavior has no place in the online space, the entertainment industry, or society as a whole. The company highlighted the atmosphere of joy, compassion, and kindness in their rehearsal room, where they celebrate the exceptional talent of their collaborators.

The message concluded by affirming the commitment of the Romeo & Juliet community to continue rehearsing with generosity and love. They expressed their dedication to focusing on the creative process and the development of their production, promoting a positive and supportive environment for all.

Holland, who is in a long term relationship with Zendaya, has not commented publicly on the controversy surrounding her casting as his love interest. This production marks Holland's return to the West End, where he first gained fame as a child actor in Billy Elliot before taking on the role of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Amewudah-Rivers, prior to Romeo & Juliet, has appeared in professional productions of Shakespeare's Macbeth and Othello. Her portrayal of Juliet will be her debut in the West End. In addition to her stage work, she has a recurring role on the British TV show Bad Education and is also known for her work as a composer on various screen projects.

The play Romeo & Juliet features a talented cast, including Holland, Amewudah-Rivers, Agyeman, Balogun, Edun, Jerome, Quinn-Toye, and Sesay. Rehearsals are currently underway, and the show is scheduled to be performed at the Duke of York’s Theatre from May 11 to August 3. Tickets for the 12-week run have already sold out.

There have been rumors circulating that despite facing online backlash, the play may transfer to Broadway after its successful run in London.

Editor's P/S:

The casting