800 Hollywood actors petition racial abuse against Francesca Amewudah-Rivers

Actress and thespian Francesca Amewudah-Rivers is set to star alongside Tom Holland in 'Romeo & Juliet' in a London West End production for the next 12 weeks. 

The actor previously starred in Shakespearean plays Macbeth and Othello. She also featured in the Sophocles tragedy Antigone in theatres across London and two seasons of the BBC's Bad Education.

Amewudah-Rivers has been facing racist online attacks since her casting was announced last week.

As a response to the racially abusive comments, more than 800 Black women — including Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim — and non-binary actors signed an open letter in support of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers.

The Guardian has obtained excerpts from the letter signed by Hollywood A-listers.

In the letter, the stars speak out about 'racial and hateful abuse' experienced in the industry, especially, for rising stars like Amewudah-Rivers.

“Too many times, Black performers – particularly Black actresses – are left to face the storm of online abuse after committing the crime of getting a job on their own. When news of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’ casting in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Romeo and Juliet was announced so many people celebrated and welcomed this news. Many of us took to social media to shower our baby sis with love and congratulations – a huge deal for someone so young in their career. A huge rising talent."

“But then what followed was a too familiar horror that many of us visible Black dark skinned performers have experienced. The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a sweet soul has been too much to bear. For a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is truly embarrassing for those so empty and barren in their own lives that they must meddle in hateful abuse.”

The letter also included a message for young black artists coming up in the industry. 

“We want to send a clear message to Francesca and all Black women performers who face this kind of abuse – we see you. 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. We are so excited to watch you shine.”

London's West End production organisers also spoke out about the response from the public, saying the bullying and harassment 'must stop'.