Francesca Amewudah-Rivers Condemns Online Racial Abuse

Landmark Open Letter Calls for Accountability

Actress, Musician, and Composer Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has condemned the relentless online racial abuse she has suffered, prompting an open letter from over 800 Black women and non-binary actors.

The open letter calls for an immediate end to the hateful and discriminatory attacks that have been targeting Amewudah-Rivers. It also urges theater and industry professionals to address the systemic racism that perpetuates such behavior.

Amewudah-Rivers, known for her roles in "Bad Education" and "Medea," has been subjected to a barrage of hateful messages on social media platforms following her casting as Juliet in Jamie Lloyd's new production of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Her West End debut opposite Tom Holland in 2024 marked a significant milestone in her career.

The open letter highlights the importance of representation and condemns the ongoing exclusion of Black actors from leading roles. It calls for tangible action to create a more inclusive and equitable theater industry where all artists can thrive without fear of discrimination.