Francesca Amewudah-Rivers: The Rising Star Set to Shine as Juliet

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers is set to take the stage as Juliet in a groundbreaking production of “Romeo & Juliet,” and the Black community is rallying behind her in the face of racist backlash.

Despite the initial excitement and support for Francesca’s casting, the announcement quickly turned sour as online trolls unleashed a wave of racist and misogynistic abuse towards the talented actress. In response, over 800 Black women and non-binary actors came together to pen an open letter published by The Guardian, condemning the hateful attacks and offering their unwavering support to Francesca.

The letter highlighted the all-too-common experience of Black performers facing online abuse simply for securing roles in the industry. It called out the lack of support from theater companies, broadcasters, and producers in addressing and combatting this toxic behavior.

Notable signatories of the letter included Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Wunmi Mosaku, and more, all standing in solidarity with Francesca and other Black women performers who have faced similar abuse.

“Romeo & Juliet,” starring Francesca Amewudah-Rivers alongside Tom Holland, is set to debut at The Duke of York Theatre in London on May 11. The production has already generated significant buzz, with tickets for all U.K. dates already sold out. After its run in London, the show will head to Broadway, promising to showcase Francesca’s undeniable talent and resilience in the face of adversity.