Part 4/8:
A significant part of the controversy hinged on accusations of racial insensitivity. The creators and star Jada Pinkett Smith openly defended the depiction, asserting that changing Cleopatra’s race was a step toward inclusion. However, this decision sparked outrage in countries like Egypt and among historical purists, who argued that such alterations distort an essential part of cultural heritage.
The series’ defenders claimed that opposition to the casting was rooted in racism, labeling critics as racists themselves. Such exchanges added fuel to an already heated debate about historical representation versus modern identity politics.