EastEnders' star John Partridge's huge role as Julius Caesar in Netflix's Queen Cleopatra
ok.co.ukWhen former EastEnders actor John Partridge took on the role of Julius Caesar in Jada Pinkett Smith’s new Netflix docudrama about the life of Queen Cleopatra, he thought its modern storytelling would stir controversy.
But even John, 52 – who has worked in showbusiness for more than three decades – was taken aback by the extremity of views against the new series.
In fact, ever since the programme was announced, members of the cast have been sent a barrage of horrendous messages over why Adele James, a mixed-race actress, has been cast as Cleopatra. “I woke up this morning and blocked about 400 people,” he confides. “I am getting abuse. “There is no way we could tell a story like this without facing strong opinion, but when they border into some of the language we have all experienced, that can be worrying.” Taking a contemporary look at the story of Cleopatra, who falls for the much older Caesar, John hopes viewers will see past the controversy and enjoy the love story. “Of course, you want debate and conversation,” he continues.
If you wish to have debate about it, have the debate but let’s ease up on the online abuse.” He says he is “thick skinned enough” to be able to cope with the trolling and was excited to be cast in such a high-profile Netflix docudrama – especially with Jada, wife of Will Smith, as narrator and executive producer. “She wasn’t around on set,” he says.
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