Egyptian officials and historians are criticizing Netflix for casting a bi-racial actor as Queen Cleopatra VII in its upcoming series, African Queens: Queen Cleopatra, calling the decision historically inaccurate and accusing the platform of “blackwashing” the iconic ruler. The Netflix Cleopatra controversy has sparked calls to ban the platform in Egypt and ignited global debate over racial representation in historical media.
Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra faces backlash in Egypt
The series, narrated and executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, features British bi-racial actor Adele James as Cleopatra. Pinkett Smith stated she aimed to “represent Black women” through the project, which is part of Netflix’s African Queens anthology.
However, many Egyptian experts and academics argue that Cleopatra was of Macedonian Greek descent and not Black. Prominent Egyptologist Zahi Hawass condemned the show, saying it promotes “false and deceptive facts that the origin of Egyptian civilization is Black.”
Cleopatra blackwashing claim sparks legal complaint
The Egypt Netflix Cleopatra backlash escalated when Egyptian lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed a formal complaint with the public prosecutor. He demanded that Netflix be banned in Egypt, accusing the platform of spreading “Afrocentric thinking” that distorts national identity.
A Change.org petition titled “Cancel Netflix’s ‘Queen Cleopatra’” has garnered over 3,200 signatures. A separate petition with 85,000 signatures was reportedly removed from the platform.
Netflix responds to criticism over Cleopatra’s race
In response to the Black Cleopatra Netflix criticism, the streaming giant defended its casting choice. Netflix stated that ancient Egypt was “multicultural and multiracial” during Cleopatra’s era. Egyptologist Sally-Ann Ashton, who consulted on the show, argued that portraying Cleopatra as entirely European was equally inaccurate.
The controversy has reignited historical debates about Cleopatra’s lineage, with some scholars suggesting her maternal ancestry may have African roots—though no conclusive evidence supports this claim.
Netflix Cleopatra docu-series release date
Despite the backlash, African Queens: Queen Cleopatra is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on May 10. The official trailer received heavy criticism online, prompting Netflix to disable YouTube comments for the video.
The Netflix Queen Cleopatra criticism has become one of the platform’s most talked-about controversies this year, sparking conversations about race, representation, and historical accuracy in global media.
