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Netflix’s Cleopatra: What’s all the drama?

Queen Cleopatra actor Adele James on the new role, the backlash, and why she took it on.

We’re talking about one thing today… Netflix’s new docudrama series on Queen Cleopatra, which has a black mixed actor, Adele James, playing the lead role.

Adele joins De-Graft to talk about the joys of playing the part, but also the backlash and racism she’s received. In Egypt, there’s been upset and accusations that her casting aims to "erase the Egyptian identity".

So, who was Queen Cleopatra and what was her heritage? Historian Joyce Dunbar also drops in and shares the facts.

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Presenter: De-Graft Mensah
Producer: Kamilah McInnis
Researcher: Paige Neal-Holder
Sound: Kamilah McInnis and Dave O’Neill
Editor: Alison Gee

Available now

24 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 May 2023 04:00

Broadcast

  • Fri 19 May 2023 04:00

Podcast