Netflix’s upcoming Queen Cleopatra docuseries has been stirring controversy over its choice to cast a Black actress to play the queen, Unilad reported. The trailer for the docuseries — which follows the female ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty fighting to protect her throne, family and legacy — drew criticism for its racial depiction of Cleopatra, with several pointing to historical records indicating she was Macedonian-Greek. Netflix was forced to turn off the comments feature on the trailer after several users posted negative comments, according to Unilad.

The casting choices led to debate about Afrocentrism: Netflix’s synopsis of the docuseries says it looks at “'the lives of prominent and iconic African Queens,” while executive producer and narrator Jada Pinkett Smith said, “We don't often get to see or hear stories about black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them.” These descriptors led many — including archaeologist and former Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass and comedian Bassem Youssef (watch, runtime: 9:23) — to criticize Netflix for “promoting Afrocentric thinking.” And in true Egyptian fashion, one lawyer filed a complaint to the prosecutor general demanding that Netflix be shut down in Egypt.

Speaking of the women of Ancient Egypt: Meet Neferusobek, Egypt’s first woman pharaoh, whose reign was brief but impactful, according to National Geographic. After the death of her father, Amenemhat III — a ruler from the 12th dynasty — Neferusobek’s brother-turned-husband, Amenemhat IV, acceded to the throne, making Neferusobek queen. The siblings’ marriage suited the nobility’s interests as it ensured bloodline continuity and widespread acceptance that they would produce a new rightful heir.

But fate had other plans: Amenemhat IV passed after less than a decade in power, without having produced viable heirs. This left Neferusobek to lead the Kingdom — a first for Egypt. Neferusobek relied on her bloodline to justify her ascension as ruler and was ultimately accepted in her new capacities.

An unbefitting title: The title of queen being unprecedented and deemed unbefitting — because it implied obedience to a king — Egypt’s new ruler was granted many titles and went ahead to solidify her station by ensuring the strength of the dynasty, undergoing the required temple rituals, and erecting statues of herself and her name across the kingdom’s temples. She also kept the peace and security as Egypt plunged into a drought that caused a widespread famine.

…and an untimely death: While the cause of the unexpected ruler’s death almost four years into her reign remains unknown among experts, a murder seems unlikely, the article notes. Murder is ruled out because, if her rule had been seen as unlawful or scandalous — being a woman and all —- her name would have likely been removed for the Turin king-list: An ancient papyrus inscribed in hieratic, currently housed in the Egyptian Museum in Turin, which includes a list of the gods, demi-gods, spirits, legendary, and human rulers who presided over Egypt.

What’s in a name? Unlike Cleopatra and Nefertiti, whose names have transcended the annals of history and are now common knowledge, the same cannot be said about their predecessor. Neferusobek is a rather obscure name that most people remain unfamiliar with. This could be due to the unfortunate fact that no representation of her face survives.

Tags: