Cleopatra was not Black, Egypt tells Netflix ahead of new series

Netflix is facing pushback from Egypt regarding the ethnicity of Cleopatra, the ancient queen of Egypt, in their upcoming series. Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities reportedly sent a letter to Netflix stating that portraying Cleopatra as Black would be inappropriate and inaccurate. This comes as a response to rumors that the streaming giant is considering casting British actress, Gal Gadot, who is Israeli-born, as a Black Cleopatra.

The issue of Cleopatra’s ethnicity has long been debated, with some scholars claiming she was of Greek descent, while others contend that she had multiracial heritage. However, the Ministry of Antiquities maintains that Cleopatra was definitely not of African origin, but rather was descended from the Ptolemaic dynasty who ruled Egypt.

This controversy highlights the importance of accurately portraying historical figures for cultural and educational purposes. It also raises questions about the representation of diverse ethnicities in media and the responsibility of filmmakers to do their research before making casting decisions.

In conclusion, while the debate over Cleopatra’s ethnicity may never be fully resolved, it is essential for filmmakers to approach historical accuracy with sensitivity and respect, especially when the portrayal of cultural figures can be misinterpreted and have real-world consequences.