Support for Romeo & Juliet actress abused online

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has faced online abuse since she was cast as Juliet

Hundreds have signed an open letter in solidarity with a black actress trolled with “racist and misogynistic abuse”.

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was targeted online after she was cast as Juliet in a new production with Tom Holland.

The letter, co-authored by actress Susan Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton, calls out the “twisted ugly abuse” while celebrating Francesca.

One Day’s Ambika Mod, comedian Lolly Adefope and Sex Education’s Chinenye Ezeudu are also listed as signatories.

The theatre company behind the production has previously condemned the “deplorable” abuse.

Since Francesca’s casting was announced, the Jamie Lloyd Company said she had received a “barrage” of hate.

The stage production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, due to run from 11 May until 3 August, will be Francesca’s West End debut.

Susan Wokoma wrote the open letter, which attracted hundreds of signatures

In their letter, Susan, who recently appeared in Taskmaster, and Somalia write that she’s a “huge rising talent” and her casting was “a huge deal” that ought to have been celebrated.

“But what followed was a too familiar horror that too many of us visible black dark-skinned performers have experienced,” they wrote.

“The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a sweet soul has been too much to bear.”

Susan says 883 people have signed the open letter and the signatories were predominantly black female and non-binary actors.

The letter, and an accompanying petition which has been signed more than 6,000 times, also call on the production company to ensure Francesca is being properly supported.

“Too many times theatre companies, broadcasters, producers, steamers have failed to offer any help or support when their black artists face racist and misogynistic abuse,” the letter says.

Ambika Mod, who starred as Emma Morley in Netflix’s One Day series, is among the signatories

In its statement last week, the Jamie Lloyd Company said its cast would be supported and protected “at all costs” and that all abuse would be reported.

“We are working with a remarkable group of artists,” the company said.

“We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment.”

The writers of the letter say they welcomed the company’s stance on the abuse.

“We want to send a clear message to Francesca and all black women performers who face this kind of abuse – we see you,” they wrote.

“We see the art you manage to produce with not only the pressures that your white colleagues face but with the added traumatic hurdle of misogynoir.”

The hotly anticipated production will mark the first time Tom Holland has appeared on stage as an adult, and has already sold out.

BBC Newsbeat has contacted Francesca’s representatives and the Jamie Lloyd Company.

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