Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has been cast as Juliet to Tom Holland's Romeo in The Jamie Lloyd Company’s Romeo and Juliet at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London opening on May 11.
Amewudah-Rivers is more than qualified for the role as she previously starred in the William Shakespeare plays Macbeth and Othello, as well as Antigone by Sophocles, in London theaters.
Heartbreakingly, however, the casting choice has been met with racist and misogynistic hate online.
In response to the nonsensical vitriol, though, more than 800 Black female and nonbinary actors have signed an open letter to condemn the attacks on Amewudah-Rivers.
The letter, organized by Enola Holmes actor Susan Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton, is titled "A LETTER OF SOLIDARITY WITH OUR JULIET - FRANCESCA AMEWUDAH-RIVERS."
The letter begins by expressing the joy people experienced when they learned Amewudah-Rivers was cast as Juliet.
"When news of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’ casting in Jamie Lloyd’s production of 'Romeo and Juliet' was announced so many people celebrated and welcomed this news."
"Many of us took to social media to shower our baby sis with love and congratulations- a huge deal for someone so young in their career. A huge rising talent."
Sadly, however, racist attacks on the actor dampened the celebration.
"But then what followed was a too familiar horror that too many of us visible Black dark skinned performers have experienced."
"The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a sweet soul has been too much to bear."
"For a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is truly embarrassing for those so empty and barren in their own lives that they must meddle in hateful abuse."
"Too many times Black performers - particularly Black actresses - are left to face the storm of online abuse after committing the crime of getting a job on their own."
It continued that the artists signing the letter stand with The Jamie Lloyd Company and Amewudah-Rivers.
"We welcome The Jamie Lloyd Company’s statement and we hope that their statement will extend to committed emotional support for Francesca on her journey with the production."
"Too many times theatre companies, broadcasters, producers, steamers have failed to offer any help or support when their Black artists face racist and misogynistic abuse."
"Reporting is too often left on the shoulders of the abused who are also then expected to promote said show."
The Jamie Lloyd Company also released a statement addressing the online abuse.
"Following the announcement of our 'Romeo & Juliet' cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company."
"This must stop."
"We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment."
"We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs. Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported."
"Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities."
"Our rehearsal room is full of joy, compassion and kindness. We celebrate the extraordinary talent of our incredible collaborators."
"The 'Romeo & Juliet' community will continue to rehearse with generosity and love and focus on the creation of our production."
People on social media agreed the racist attacks and harassment must end.
Many also shared their disgust that a letter and statement like these had to be written in the first place.
Besides Amewudah-Rivers and Holland, the play will also star Doctor Who alum Freema Agyeman playing the Nurse, Michael Balogun as the Friar, Joshua Alexander-Williams as Mercutio, Daniel Quinn-Toye as Paris, and Nima Tahlegani as Tybalt.
Romeo and Juliet is running at the Duke of York’s Theatre from May 11 through August 3.
