Tom Holland's 'Romeo & Juliet' Co-star Francesca Amewudah-Rivers Receives Overwhelming Support Amid Racist Criticism

More than 800 Black actors are speaking out against the criticism directed at actress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers. She was chosen to play Juliet alongside Tom Holland in the upcoming stage production of “Romeo & Juliet” in London's West End.

Following the announcement of Amewudah-Rivers’ casting, there was a strong backlash online. The Jamie Lloyd Company, responsible for the theater production, released a statement on social media earlier this month. They condemned the "unacceptable racial abuse" that was being directed towards one of their team members.

The company's statement did not mention Amewudah-Rivers by name. However, an open letter in support of her, known for her work in the series "Bad Education," was released.

The letter, organized by playwright Somalia Nonyé Seaton, expressed disappointment at the treatment of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers. It mentioned the excitement over her casting in Jamie Lloyd's production of Romeo and Juliet, followed by a familiar horror experienced by many visible Black dark-skinned performers.

The hurtful and discriminatory comments aimed at a kind-hearted individual have become unbearable. It is truly shameful that a simple casting announcement for a play can trigger such hateful and twisted abuse from individuals who seem to lack fulfillment in their own lives. Unfortunately, Black performers, especially Black actresses, often find themselves targeted with online harassment simply for securing a job.

We want to make it clear to Francesca and all Black female performers who endure this type of mistreatment that we acknowledge you. We see the incredible art you create, despite facing not only the challenges that your white counterparts encounter, but also the additional obstacle of misogynoir.

"Your predecessors stand beside you."

Celebrities like "James Bond" actor Lashana Lynch, Freema Agyeman from "Doctor Who", Susan Wokoma from "Enola Holmes", Sheila Atim from "The Woman King", Oscar nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste from "Secrets & Lies" and Lolly Adefope from "Ghosts" are among the many who signed the letter.

The Jamie Lloyd Company recently took to Twitter to address online misconduct, stating, “This behavior must come to an end. Any form of abuse will not be accepted and will be reported. Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry, or in our communities.”

Amewudah-Rivers is set to star alongside “Spider-Man” actor Holland in the upcoming production of the Shakespeare classic by the Jamie Lloyd Company. The highly anticipated play, scheduled to premiere at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London this summer, has already sold out.

“Romeo & Juliet” opens on May 23 and will play through August 3.

Editor's P/S:

The backlash against