It comes after a statement by the Jamie Lloyd theatre company condemning the “barrage of deplorable racial abuse” that has been directed at Amewudah-Rivers and other black cast members. The new open letter has been organised by “Enola Holmes” actor Susan Wokoma and the writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton. It stated: “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.”

Prominent black actresses Lashana Lynch, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Freema Agyeman, who plays the nurse in the new West End show, are among the 883 signatories of the letter. Lynch is best known for her roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films (MCU) as well as for playing MI6 agent Nomi in the 2021 James Bond film “No Time to Die.” While Jean-Baptiste came to prominence following her role in the 1996 film “Secrets & Lies”, for which she received Oscar, Golden Globe and Bafta nominations. Agyeman is no stranger to online racial abuse after become Doctor Who’s first black female companion in 2006.

The signatories welcomed the theatre company’s statement and said they hoped it would “extend to committed emotional support for Francesca on her journey with the production”. They added: “Too many times theatre companies, broadcasters, producers and streamers have failed to offer any help or support when their Black artists face racist or misogynistic abuse. Reporting is too often left on the shoulders of the abused, who are also then expected to promote said show.”

“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.”

Romeo & Juliet runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 11 May to 3 August and marks Amewudah-Rivers’ West End debut. She also starred in two seasons of the Bad Education on

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