Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, Rachel Zegler, and the Industry’s Failure to Protect Black Actresses

The entertainment industry has long grappled with issues of racism, diversity, and the responsibility of productions to protect their cast members from public backlash. The case of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who was cast as Juliet in Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo & Juliet opposite Tom Holland, serves as yet another stark reminder of how Black actresses are often left to face the brunt of online abuse with little to no institutional support.

Even before the first curtain call, Amewudah-Rivers was targeted with racist attacks on social media. The Jamie Lloyd Company did release a statement condemning the harassment, saying, “Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed toward a member of our company. This must stop.” However, what stood out was the silence from the rest of the cast and crew—most notably from Holland, whose association with major franchises like Marvel means he wields considerable influence over online discourse. Despite his massive platform, Holland did not publicly address the racist backlash directed at his co-star, an omission that has not gone unnoticed by critics and fans alike.

In contrast, Rachel Zegler, who currently stars as Juliet on Broadway, did not hesitate to publicly support Amewudah-Rivers. In an interview with Teen Vogue, Zegler did not mince words, calling out the industry’s repeated failures to protect Black women in leading roles. “I think she was failed by the people around her,” Zegler said. “You need to protect people when you make a vow to cast them in something where you know—you can’t act stupid, you know how the general public is going to act because they’ve been acting that way for years.”

Zegler had previously tweeted her encouragement when the casting was announced, writing, “I CANNOT wait to see this production! GO FRANCESCA!!!!!!!!” However, she emphasized in her interview that support should be automatic and unwavering, adding that Amewudah-Rivers personally thanked her, but she told her not to. “It took absolutely nothing out of me, and I told her not to thank me for that,” she explained. “It is basic human decency and basic kindness.”

The Pattern of Racist Backlash Against Black Actresses in Major Roles

This situation is not an isolated incident. The racist response to Amewudah-Rivers’ casting follows a now-familiar pattern in Hollywood and theater—one where Black women who step into major roles, particularly in adaptations of beloved works, are met with a wave of racist harassment.

When Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, she endured months of online abuse, with people insisting that a Black actress should not play the iconic mermaid. Similarly, Moses Ingram, who starred as Reva in Obi-Wan Kenobi, was subjected to racist attacks from Star Wars fans, leading even Ewan McGregor to issue a video statement condemning the hate. More recently, Lashana Lynch and Zendaya have also faced similar online vitriol for being cast in major roles.

The backlash against Amewudah-Rivers’ casting fits squarely within this disturbing trend, and yet, despite the clear predictability of these attacks, there remains an alarming lack of proactive support from studios and production teams. The industry seems content with releasing statements condemning racism after the damage has already been done, rather than implementing preventative measures or standing firmly behind their casting choices.

The Importance of Public Support from Co-Stars and Productions

Zegler’s call for action—urging people to “move quickly” and ensure that Black actresses are protected—reflects the urgency of this issue. Silence from co-stars and directors only emboldens online harassers and creates a sense of isolation for the actors at the center of these attacks. Public figures who remain neutral in the face of racism are, in effect, complicit in allowing these patterns to persist.

That is why Tom Holland’s silence is particularly noticeable. As a globally recognized actor with millions of fans, his acknowledgment of the situation could have made a significant difference in shifting the narrative and shutting down the hate. By choosing not to address the issue, it sends a message that the abuse Amewudah-Rivers faced was not significant enough to warrant a response.

Contrast this with the response to Black performers rallying around Amewudah-Rivers. Ahead of the show’s premiere, 800 Black actors signed an open letter condemning the racist attacks and expressing solidarity with Amewudah-Rivers. The letter stated, “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.” This level of support within the Black acting community is powerful, but it should not fall solely on the shoulders of Black artists to fight these battles. Their white peers, who often have more influence in mainstream media, must also take a stand.

What Needs to Change?

If the entertainment industry is serious about diversity and inclusion, it must go beyond just casting Black actors—it must also be willing to defend them. Production companies should:

Anticipate Backlash and Respond Proactively – The fact that this happens so frequently means that studios and theaters should be prepared. That means having social media protections in place, issuing statements before the hate gains traction, and ensuring that actors have a strong support system.
Require Public Support from Co-Stars and Directors – Contracts should include clauses encouraging actors to publicly support their castmates in cases of harassment. Silence should not be an option.

Hold Fandoms Accountable – The fan communities surrounding major franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and even classic literature-based productions must be called out when they engage in racist gatekeeping. Studio-backed campaigns promoting diversity should also come with a zero-tolerance policy for hate.
Strengthen Mental Health Support for Cast Members – Actors who face public scrutiny and online harassment need more than just words of encouragement—they need professional psychological support to navigate these experiences.

A Turning Point?

Rachel Zegler’s strong stance in defense of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers is an important reminder that actors with influence must speak up. The hope is that more voices in the industry will follow suit, recognizing that true allyship requires action, not just passive agreement.

The treatment of Black actresses in major roles has been a long-standing issue in Hollywood and theater, and unless the industry commits to real change, we will continue to see talented performers being placed in the spotlight only to be left unprotected when the inevitable backlash comes.

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers deserved better, and so will the next Black actress who dares to step into a leading role. The question is: Will the industry finally step up, or will it continue to fail them?