Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has just been chosen to star as Juliet in a new theater show in London’s West End. She’ll be acting opposite Tom Holland, who will play Romeo.
Francesca is a British actress with African roots. The play they’re doing together is William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet.‘ This play has been around for hundreds of years and is known all over the world for its sad love story.
Some fans didn’t like the casting choice and criticized the decision online. They don’t think she should play Juliet because of her skin color. This seems to be missing the whole point of ‘Romeo & Juliet.’
Zendaya Faced The Same Criticism
It’s not the first time this happened. Zendaya received similar comments when she was cast in a Spider-Man movie in 2016. But she didn’t let the negativity stop her. It appears Francesca and Tom are doing the same.
This situation is a bit like the story they’re going to tell as Romeo and Juliet — seeing past differences and celebrating what brings us together, not what pulls us apart.
Holland Can’t Wait To Be Romeo
Tom Holland is really excited to get back on stage. He shared the news earlier this year. He has been in big movies, but he loves theater just as much and can’t wait to be Romeo. Francesca has been in several plays before as well. She shared how excited she is, too.
Tom isn’t new to the stage; he actually started his acting career in theater before becoming famous as Spider-Man.