Here’s everything you need to know about Jada Pinkett Smith’s latest Netflix docuseries: Queen Cleopatra
Queen Cleopatra is one of the most famous women in history and has become a cultural icon. But over time the ancient Egyptian ruler has been hugely misunderstood and misrepresented and she has become more well-known for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony than for her fierce intellect and strategic genius.
Now, Jada Pinkett Smith is determined to right that wrong and has produced and narrated a Netflix docu-drama that attempts to uncover the truth about the powerful Queen.
Is there a Queen Cleopatra trailer?
Yes, there’s a Queen Cleopatra trailer and it looks gripping. The trailer shows a dramatized version of Cleopatra’s life interspersed with insight from real-life historians. We hear Jada Pinkett Smith saying: “There was a time long ago when women ruled with unparalleled power as warriors, queens, and mothers of nations and there were none more iconic than Cleopatra.” Then Adele James as Cleopatra asks, “I would die for Egypt. What would you die for?”
It looks like the series is going to be high drama, and we can’t wait! You can watch the trailer below…
Queen Cleopatra plot
Queen Cleopatra will look at the story of Cleopatra VII Philopator, also known as the Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC – and its last active ruler.
Speaking of the series, 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! Cleopatra is a queen who many know about, but not her truth.
“She’s been displayed as overtly sexual, excessive, and corrupt, yet she was a strategist, an intellect, a commanding force of nature, who fought to protect her kingdom… and her heritage is highly debated. This season will dive deeper into her history and re-assesses this fascinating part of her story.”
The series is executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, Terence Carter, Miguel Melendez, and Sahara Bushue for Westbrook Studios; and by Jane Root and Ben Goold for Nutopia.
Read more of the official synopsis (via Netflix Media Center) below:
From Executive Producer Jada Pinkett Smith comes a documentary series exploring the lives of prominent and iconic African Queens. This season will feature Queen Cleopatra, the world’s most famous, powerful, and misunderstood woman — a daring queen whose beauty and romances came to overshadow her real asset: her intellect. Cleopatra’s heritage has been the subject of much academic debate, which has often been ignored by Hollywood. Now our series re-assesses this fascinating part of her story.
The Cast
Adele James plays the iconic Queen Cleopatra. She played Tina Mollet in the British medical series Casualty and has also starred in Nate & Jamie, Doctors, The Corona Connections, and Acceptable Damage.
John Partridge stars as the infamous Roman leader Julius Caesar. He is best known for his role as Christian in the British soap EastEnders. He’s also appeared in Game On and Cats and taken part in Celebrity Juice, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, I’m a Celebrity… and Celebrity Mastermind.
Craig Russell is Cleopatra’s lover Marc Antony. He’s starred in The Last Kingdom, Riches, Pitching In, and Doctors. He played DI Mark Gascoyne in Hollyoaks and has also been in Dream Team and The Hatton Garden Job.
Michael Greco plays Queen Cleopatra’s brother Pothinus who eventually betrayed her. Michael of course is best known for playing Beppe di Marco in EastEnders and has also starred in Holby City, Casualty, The Killer Beside Me, Chasing Shadows, and Doctors.
Queen Cleopatra: release date
Queen Cleopatra is a four-part series that launches worldwide on Netflix on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Each episode is 45 minutes long. On this date, Netflix will release all four episodes, so save the date to avoid missing out!
