Queen Cleopatra cast

Here’s where you recognise the cast of Netflix’s historical docuseries Queen Cleopatra from

There has been a ton of controversy surrounding the cast


Queen Cleopatra is the latest series to drop on Netflix and it is a documentary style drama part of the African Queens series by Jada Pinkett Smith. The docuseries tells the life story of Cleopatra and her reign as Queen of Egypt.

The casting of the titular character has already faced a ton of controversy and there are a number of familiar faces in the docuseries. Here’s where you recognise the cast of Queen Cleopatra on Netflix from.

Adele James – Queen Cleopatra

Adele James as part of the Queen Cleopatra cast

via Netflix

Adele James stars as Queen Cleopatra in the new series and has faced a wave of backlash as a result. When the series was announced, a lawyer filed a complaint with Netflix and accused the series of aiming to “erase the Egyptian identity”. Netflix have hit back and said the race of Cleopatra was “unlikely to be documented”, backing the decision to cast Adele.

Adele is best known for her role as Tina in Casualty. She has also appeared in Acceptable Damage, That’s What She Said and Who I Am.

John Partridge – Julius Caesar

via Netflix

John Partridge was cast as Julius Caesar in Queen Cleopatra. Julius Caesar was the Roman Emperor who led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars. He also had a relationship with Cleopatra.

UK viewers will recognise John mostly for his role as Christian in EastEnders. John has appeared in a number of stage shows including Miss Saigon, Cats and Starlight Express.

Craig Russell – Mark Anthony

via Netflix

Mark Anthony was a Roman general whose role was critic in the transformation of the Roman Republic. Mark Anthony had a love affair with Cleopatra and had three children with her and is played by Craig Russell in the series.

The actor has starred in a number of movies and TV shows including Pitching In, Bittersweet Symphony and Canaries.

Kaysha Woollery – Charmian

Charmian was a trusted servant and advisor to Cleopatra and is played by Kaysha Woollery in the new series. Viewers may recognise Kaysha from her roles in Apocryphal, Doctors and The Girlfriend Experience.

Andira Crichlow – Arsinoe

Arsinoe was Cleopatra’s half sister and was taken as a prisoner of war to Rome after playing a role in conducting the siege of Alexandria. Arsinoe is played by Andira Crichlow and this series is her TV debut.

Michael Greco – Pothinus

Michael Greco as part of the Queen Cleopatra cast

via Netflix

Michael Greco stars as Pothinus, the regent for Pharaoh ptolemy XIII who turned Ptolemy against his sister, Cleopatra. Michael is best known for his role in EastEnders as Beppe di Marco. He has also appeared in Doctors, Casualty and The Killer Beside Me.

Callum Balmforth – Ptolemy XIII

Ptolemy XIII was Cleopatra’s brother and was one of the last members of the Ptolemaic dynasty. He was also the co-ruler alongside Cleopatra but he later tried to depose Cleopatra because of her increasing status as queen. Ptolemy is played by Callum Balmforth, who has appeared in a number of stage shows including Wendy and Peter Pan at Leeds Playhouse.

Queen Cleopatra is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

Queen Cleopatra on Netflix has been surrounded by controversy, here’s why everyone is upset

All the subtle hints made about Bridgerton season three in the Queen Charlotte series

Shonda Rhimes denies there being a reference to Meghan Markle in Queen Charlotte on Netflix

Featured image credit via Netflix.