Earlier this week, Netflix released a documentary revolving around life of one of the most significant personalities in Egyptian history. ‘Queen Cleopatra’ has been trending ever since the news was announced.
It is the second instalment of Jada Pinkett Smith’s African Queens series, starring Adele James in the lead role. The documentary investigates the life of Queen Cleopatra and her reign in the 51 BC. Being one of most prominent rulers in history, the life of Cleopatra being documented into a series was something people were intrigued about.
Was it all for good reasons? It is not surprising that any new show or movie comes with their own definition of what is right and wrong. What’s accurate and what’s offensive. It’s safe to say that ‘Queen Cleopatra’ is no exception to this rule.
The show was allegedly one of Netflix’s lowest rated shows. With an audience rating of 2% on rotten tomatoes (biggest media-rating platform in terms of review, criticism and quality) the show has met its downfall quiet rapidly.
One of the biggest controversies surrounding the show is that of lead character. Adele James, who is a mixed-race actress, was picked for the role of Cleopatra. While many have shown positivity and support for the show, few critics were quick to call out the show racially inaccurate. While her ethnicity remains uncertain, people badgered Jada for casting an actress of colour to play the part.
Few people seemingly expressed their desires for an Egyptian actress to play the part, while others suggest white. This isn’t the first time a controversy like this has occurred, Little Mermaid being the recent one, it seems like race always has a significant input when it comes to casting.
People also raised concerned about inaccuracies in the storyline itself. Imprecision regarding her rule over Egypt and her married life also caught viewer’s attention. While it can’t be confirmed how history took place, viewers were quick to point out their own version of it.
Despite the ongoing criticism for the show, Adele managed to deliver an outstanding performance in the show. Her flawless acting, charming smile and stern confidence is praiseworthy. Jada also seems unbothered by the criticism and hopes to release the next part of her series soon.
