Narrating the saga of Egypt’s last pharaoh as part of Jada Pinkett Smith’s documentary series African Queens, Queen Cleopatra has been in *hot water* ever since Netflix announced its premiere.

Via @adele_jjames on Instagram
The docuseries dives into the legacy of the queen, featuring interviews by experts on the topic as well as reenactments. It begins with a young Cleopatra ascending the throne in the midst of familial rivalries, leading to a relationship with a Roman leader. The story then dives into the strengthening of ties between Rome and Egypt out of which emerges an empire, soon to crumble under her leadership.
Starring British actress Adele James, Queen Cleopatra has not only been at the center of controversy on social media but also among Egyptians who are claiming that the Alexandria-born ruler was not Black but of European descent.

Via @adele_jjames on Instagram
According to Variety, the Egyptian state-affiliated television channel Al Wathaeqya announced the production of a documentary that would tell the “true story” of Queen Cleopatra.
Among a sea of those with a strong distaste for the production, there are others who think that Adele has done a great job bringing Cleopatra’s story to life. There seems to be a bigger conversation taking place on social media and a shift in the overall sentiment.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Queen Cleopatra
A documentary about Cleopatra with a modern retelling??? YES PLEASE #QueenCleopatra
— Ashanti 🇧🇸🏳️🌈 (@ShanLaShawn) May 10, 2023
I wonder if the Egyptian government had anything to say when they cast Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra. 🤔 https://t.co/BAMQadt9vx
— La Femme Bruin 👋😒 (@LaFemmeBruin) May 10, 2023
Why is everyone so mad again?? It’s a movie y’all for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES 🤦🏻♀️ this isn’t school curriculum, it’s a movie! People will take the fun out of anything I swear #QueenCleopatra https://t.co/veCZPfv9rw
— NayNay🌸 (@NayNay316548473) May 9, 2023
#Cleopatra is on #Netflix now.
All these non indigenous Egyptians are having hissy fits over a Black woman playing an AFRICAN Queen.🙄🤣
White actresses played Cleopatra for decades and not one peep. pic.twitter.com/iIB1S2vsrL— The _Stabster (@Stabster_) May 10, 2023
It’s really interesting that there’s backlash to portraying #QueenCleopatra as Black.
— The Irresistible O (@OhBIrresistible) May 7, 2023
You guys loved #QueenCharlotte ? You’ll love #QueenCleopatra !
SO. SO. GOOD!!!! On @NetflixUK now! pic.twitter.com/IsOjQgTTXC
— The Nikki Diaries (@thenikkidiaries) May 10, 2023
