Francesca Amewudah-Rivers: Black actors condemn racist abuse of Romeo & Juliet actress cast with Tom Holland

Hundreds of actors have signed a letter of solidarity with a Black actress who has suffered “racist and misogynistic abuse” following the announcement of her role in Romeo & Juliet.

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was targeted online after she was cast as Juliet opposite Tom Holland in a new production of the classic Shakespeare play at the Duke of York's Theatre.

The letter, co-authored by actress Susan Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton, has been signed by more than 800 actors including One Day’s Ambika Mod, comedian Lolly Adefope and Sex Education's Chinenye Ezeudu.

The letter reads: “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.”

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The theatre company behind the production has condemned the abuse saying “bullying and harassment has no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities”.

The Jamie Lloyd Company said in a statement on X, “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.”

The signatories, which mostly include Black actors, welcomed the theatre company’s statement saying they hoped it 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,” the letter continues.

“Reporting is too often left on the shoulders of the abused who are also then expected to promote said show.

“We want to send a clear message to Francesca and all Black women performers who face this kind of abuse – we see you. We see the art you manage to produce with not only the pressures that your white colleagues face but with the added traumatic hurdle of misogynoir. We are so excited to watch you shine.”

The production, which will be Holland’s first major theatre role since Billy Elliot, has already sold out.

The diverse cast includes Tomiwa Edun as Capulet, Freema Agyeman as Nurse, Joshua-Alexander Williams as Mercutio and Ray Sesay as Tybalt.

Michael Balogun will play Friar and Daniel Quinn-Toye will join the cast as Paris.

Romeo & Juliet runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre from May 11 to August 3.