Image: Netflix
Netflix has found itself in hot water once again, thanks to the recent controversy surrounding Jada Pinkett Smith’s upcoming historical docu-drama about one of the most famous historical figures in Egyptian history, Cleopatra.
For context, on On April 12, 2023, Netflix released a trailer for her upcoming historical docu-drama, Queen Cleopatra. Without trying to state the obvious, the series centers on the life and reign of Queen Cleopatra, one of Egypt’s most romantic and famous monarchs. However, the series found itself at the center of controversy, due to the depiction of Queen Cleopatra as black. This upset many people online, leading many to accuse Netflix of “blackwashing” a historical icon.
Why is this controversial?
According to current historical records, Cleopatra was of Macedonian Greek descent.
Cleopatra was the last ruler of Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egyptwhich had been ruled by his ancestors for almost three centuries when the Macedonian Greek general and companion of Alexander the Great Ptolemy I Soter founded the Kingdom in 305 BC..
It would take a century for the Ptolemaic dynasty to reign, but it became infamous for sibling marriages and inbreeding, which were also common in previous Egyptian dynasties. According to historical records, almost all marriages, aside from sibling or cousin marriage, were to members of Greek and Persian royalty.
When we take into account the many generations of inbreeding that occurred before Cleopatra’s birththe likelihood of her being what we would today define as “black” is extremely slim.
The online response
Online reviews of the docu-drama have been overwhelming.
Much of the anger has been directed at Netflix, as many have accused the platform of not depicting the story accurately. In a few hours, a the petition was launched on Change.Org accusing Netflix of falsifying history. it was signed by 85,000 people worldwide before being removed from the platform.
Some of the most vocal against the series are of Greek and Egyptian origin, many of them wanting to “preserve” the story of Cleopatra. As one of the most famous historical figures in both cultures, the argument is made that Cleopatra should be depicted “accurately” in order to respect their culture and heritage.
However, some extremely negative views have also been raised, going beyond questioning the historical accuracy of a television show and falling directly into the racist category.
This isn’t the first time Netflix has been accused of historical inaccuracies, we saw controversy in the Viking Valhalla series, and the debate around the ethnicity of King Yaroslav the Wise. And we have also witnessed a similar debate around blackwashing in the film The woman king.
Why is the debate a minefield?
From a historical perspective, it’s easy to see why many favor completely accurate depictions of historical figures or a specific time period. Although it is also easy to understand that from an entertainment standpoint, what is best for a historical representation may not actually be the most entertaining option for an audience. However, the lines are blurred when race and ethnicity are part of the equation. Contradicting yourself and coming across as a hypocrite, or worse, a fanatic, can be very easy when debating these topics.
What do you think of the Queen Cleopatra series? Let us know in the comments below!
