Egyptians are angry with Netflix for portraying Cleopatra as light-skinned in their docuseries, despite evidence she was black.

Egyptian authorities are highlighting the positive change of showcasing Black women in media by calling out Netflix for their portrayal of Queen Cleopatra in Jada Pinkett Smith’s new docuseries, “African Queens: Queen Cleopatra”. Egyptologist and archaeologist Zahi Hawass and other Egyptians voiced their concern about the “completely fake” portrayal of the Greek light-skinned queen. In response, a legal complaint was filed in the wake of the trailer's release.



In the series, Cleopatra is played by 27-year-old British biracial actress Adele James, which Netflix explained was “a nod to the centuries-long conversation about the ruler’s race.” Jada Pinkett Smith, who narrates and executive produces the series, shared her motivation behind the series: “We don’t often get to see or hear stories about black queens. That was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them!”



However, Egyptian authorities are attempting to block Netflix from releasing the new docuseries. A lawyer, Mahmoud al-Semary, has filed a complaint with the public prosecutor, accusing Netflix of violating Egypt’s media laws by trying to “promote the Afrocentric thinking… which includes slogans and writings aimed at distorting and erasing the Egyptian identity.”



The series producer has reminded the public that Cleopatra’s heritage is highly debated, and Adele James has shut down the critics, saying, “If you don’t like the casting, don’t watch the show.” Ultimately, the series has sparked a conversation about the Queen’s race and the importance of showcasing Black women in media.

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