Egypt has criticised Netflix for “falsifying history” amid a row over the casting of Cleopatra in a new docudrama series.
Queen Cleopatra will land on streaming platform Netflix on May 10, but has already angered many in Egypt.
British actor Adele James has been cast in the title role, with many in Egypt saying her dark skin gives an unrealistic interpretation of the historic figure.
Black Cleopatra Netflix row in Egypt
The controversy began more than a week ago, when a lawyer accused makers of the show of violating media laws and aiming to “erase Egyptian identity”.
Producers of the series claimed Cleopatra’s heritage is “highly debated”, while James herself told critics not to watch the show if they disagreed with the casting.
Now, the Egyptian Government has waded into the row, claiming to have evidence of Cleopatra’s “Hellenistic” (Greek) characteristics and light complexion.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities published a statement citing experts who agree on Cleopatra’s skin colour and facial features.
Dr. Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Archeology said that the appearance of the heroine in upcoming Netflix series is a falsification of Egyptian history and a blatant historical misconception.
Particular ire was directed at the series as it is being classified, in part, as a documentary and not a drama.
Waziri said archaeologists and anthropologists in Egypt should have been consulted in the making of the series.
The famed queen, was born in Egypt’s Alexandria in 69 BC. After succeeding her father in 51 BC she ruled until her death in 30BC.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities statement also quoted Dr. Nasser Mekkawy, Head of the Egyptian Department of Archeology at Cairo University.
He said Cleopatra’s appearance would have been light-skinned due to her Macedonian origins.
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