A recent Netflix series has caused a lot of controversies.
Queen Cleopatra on Netflix has left viewers very unimpressed…
And as a result of this, has a shockingly low rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
And that’s not all… A lawyer has also filed a complaint against African Queens: Queen Cleopatra.
The show stars Adele James, 27, who is biracial, as the legendary queen of Egypt.
But Egyptologist Zahi Hawass has accused Netflix of “trying to provoke confusion by spreading false and deceptive facts that the origin of the Egyptian civilization is black.”
Scroll on for the full story.
Now, over the last few years, we’ve taken full advantage of the streaming service’s infamous selection of movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
I mean, who wouldn’t?
The days of struggling to stay entertained are over…
Netflix holds the potential to keep you occupied for weeks on end.
The streaming site truly is the best of the best…
At the click of a button, you can instantly stream thousands of movies and TV shows.
As soon as you’ve finished one box set, it’s on to the next…
And there’s nothing better than getting cozy in your own bed and flicking through the best of what Netflix has to offer, is there?
After a long day’s work, getting back home and sticking your favorite show on is what we all dream about…
It is pretty much all we’ll be doing over winter, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
And it seems there’s a number of shows that just seem to go down well with everyone.
Let’s take a look at the top 50…
Manifest…
The story follows a group of passengers on a flight that goes missing, mysteriously returning 5 years later, and how the aftermath affects their lives. It was a huge hit when it first came out, and Netflix has recently renewed it for its fourth season!
Dead to Me…
This series revolves around the unlikely friendship between 2 women, Jen (Christina Applegate) and Judy (Linda Cardellini), and how their lives become entangled after attending a grief support group.
Alice in Borderland…
People have compared this series to the hit series Squid Game. It centers around the character Arisu as he tries to navigate Tokyo, being thrust into life-threatening games, and having to complete them to escape death.
Down to Earth…
Zac Efron travels around the world finding out about some of the healthiest and most sustainable ways to live from people he meets along the way.
The Recruit…
This spy thriller follows the life of a newly trained CIA lawyer, and how he adapts to the dangerous world of international espionage when a former asset threatens to expose her relationship with the agency.
Blockbuster…
This comedy takes place at the movie rental store Blockbuster, which has just one store left in Oregon, and revolves around the manager’s desperate plight to keep his “small business” afloat.
Emily in Paris…
As the name suggests, this series follows the life of Emily, a Chicago marketing exec who uproots her life and moves to Paris taking on new adventure-filled opportunities with prospective love interests and friendships.
The Watcher…
This was top of Netflix’s list over Halloween. A family finds themselves living in a nightmare when their every move is picked apart by “The Watcher” who sends them disturbing letters about their lives. Based on a true story.
Too Hot to Handle…
This reality show makes Love Island look tame. 10 ridiculously good-looking individuals battle to keep their hands to themselves in the hopes of winning the $100,000 cash prize.
Wednesday…
This show needs no introduction, the Addams Family spin-off is currently Netflix’s most-watched show. Following Wednesday Addams’ life in Nevermore Academy, the teen turned detective tries to navigate high school life and her new psychic gifts.
Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story…
Sticking with the macabre, this series details the life of the prolific serial killer/ cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer and the events that took place prior to his arrest.
28 Days Haunted…
Everyone has heard of Ed and Lorraine Warren, and this show focuses on the theories of their work in the paranormal. 3 teams take on the task of spending 28 days in some of America’s most haunted locations to carry on the Warren’s research.
The Crown…
With Harry and Meghan’s life being so public right now, everyone wants to know more about the Royal family, and this series details the ins and outs of their lives, from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation all the way to Meghan and Harry’s wedding.
Love Is Blind…
We just love our reality shows, and Love Is Blind is no exception. Several singletons take turns getting to know potential partners, taking part in multiple blind dates… I mean it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right?
The Midnight Club…
This series was created by the same man responsible for the terrifying shows, Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House, so you know you’re in for a real fright with this one. A group of terminally ill teens signs a pact to send a message beyond the grave when one of them inevitably dies.
Sandman…
Lord Morpheus, the King of Dreams is the center of this show, based on the hit comic book series The Sandman. It follows Dream as he tries to rebuild his realm after spending a century being held captive on Earth.
Partner Track…
This rom-com drama focuses on the life of a first-generation Korean/ American woman and the obstacles she faces in her male-dominated workplace.
Never Have I Ever…
This is the perfect coming-of-age drama, featuring the Indian-American teen Devi, and focuses on her life growing up in Southern California and the challenges she faces in an all-American high school.
The Mole…
Twelve players have to work together to raise prize money, but only one of them is coming out with it, and to make the task even more difficult, there’s a mole trying to ruin their efforts.
Cobra Kai…
This Karate Kid spin-off series takes place after the events of the original film and stars the original characters Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence as Johnny reopens the Cobra Kai dojo, re-sparking their rivalry.
Inventing Anna…
This series follows Anna Delvey through the eyes of the reporter who wrote about her real-life story. It tells how she managed to fool New York socialites into believing she was a German Heiress, scamming her way to the top, eventually leading to her downfall.
Echoes…
Twins share a shocking double life where they each take turns sharing two separate homes, husbands and children, but when one of the twins goes missing, it throws everything into disarray.
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On…
Couples are put to the test in this reality series, being tasked with going out with other potential matches, and even taking part in a trial marriage before they decide whether to go back to their original partners or stick with their new ones.
Ozark…
A financial adviser gets caught up with a cartel leader, which marks the start of his double life as a money launderer. After getting in way too deep, he has to uproot his family and move to the Ozarks… hence the name.
Locke & Key…
Three siblings have their lives turned upside down when their mom moves them back into their family home after their dad is killed, only to find out the house holds secrets unlocked by hidden keys.
Russian Doll…
Game developer Nadia finds herself in a Groundhog Day moment, when she becomes stuck in a loop, dying over and over again, and has to figure out the reason why.
Stranger Things…
We are now on the fourth season of Stranger Things, and the hit show, set in the ’80s, just keeps getting better and better. It follows a group of kids after they discover a psychic girl and investigate a dangerous government coverup involving interdimensional aliens.
The Umbrella Academy…
This whacky superhero series follows a group of adopted siblings as they try to save the world from impending doom, and maintain their relationships at the same time.
Bridgerton…
This isn’t like any period drama you’ve seen before, it’s a modern, and rather steamy, take on the classic historical romance trope. It follows the lives of various high-society families and their search for love and acceptance in London.
The Circle…
This takes social media to a whole new level. In the reality series, contestants talk to one another through an app. After getting to know each other, they are each required to vote for the best players, but not everyone is who they say they are, and there’s $100,000 up for grabs.
Sex Education…
This s*x-focused comedy-drama focuses on the life of awkward high-school student Otis, and how he helps his fellow students deal with the overwhelming world of s*x, thanks to growing up around his mom, who is a s*x therapist.
You…
Psychopath Joe Goldberg is both the narrator and main character of this psychological thriller, which delves deep into his mind unearthing his unhealthy obsession with finding the perfect partner.
Maid…
Highlighting the difficult world of domestic abuse relationships, one mom attempts to leave that life behind to create a better one for herself and her young daughter, even if that means starting all over again.
Good Girls…
In this hit comedy, three moms turned criminals, work together in order to ‘make’ more money for their families, but find themselves mixed up with the wrong kind of people.
Squid Game…
I think we were all obsessed with this series when it first came out. The Korean series follows a group of people in need of money (I’m seeing a trend) who are scouted to take part in a set of seemingly innocent games, but it soon turns out to be a bloodbath created for the entertainment of the rich.
In the Dark…
This series follows a drunken blind woman whose friend gets murdered, resulting in her being dragged into a dangerous drug ring.
Riverdale…
At this point, we don’t know what the Riverdale writers are thinking. Every possible plotline you could think of has been used at some point throughout the last 5 seasons. It is based on the Archie comic book series.
All of Us Are Dead…
Korea has a knack for seriously good zombie movies, and this series is no different. It focuses on a set of High School students during the outbreak of a zombie apocalypse.
Midnight Mass…
Religious horrors are always a league above the rest. This one focuses on a small island and the events that take place after a young priest comes to live and work, bringing with him something terrifying.
Queer Eye…
You’ll be hard-pressed to find 5 guys as sweet and caring as these, and what they do to help improve the lives of ordinary hard-working people will bring a tear to your eye.
Sex Life…
Now, this isn’t the kind of series you want to watch with your parents. The spicy show follows the life of a new mom, and how she longs for the party days she once had. She begins to write about the scandalous life she had before she settled down, and after her husband finds it, things get even more heated.
Schitt’s Creek…
This comedy follows a family that has been forced to live in squalor after years of living the high life, and how they learn to adapt to this new way of living.
Clickbait…
A family is torn apart after the kidnapping of a man, who is then forced to hold up signs telling secrets about his life by his kidnappers. His family is then sent videos of him holding disturbing information about him. It’s definitely one to watch!
Lucifer…
This supernatural series follows Lucifer and his antics on earth. The devil not only falls in love with a human, but he also helps the L.A. detective to solve crimes.
Ginny and Georgia…
The comedy-drama follows the life of fifteen-year-old Ginny and her mom, Georgia as they navigate their new life in picturesque New England, but not everything is as it seems.
Dear White People…
Students of color come together to navigate life in college surrounded by white students and detail the struggles they face. It’s an essential show to watch to better understand racial bias in society.
Black Mirror…
This is a fever dream of a show, each episode features an entirely different storyline, but every episode will challenge your view of reality and the world we live in.
The Walking Dead…
This is the zombie series. Based on the comics of the same name, the show follows a group of apocalypse survivors and their attempt at finding a safe haven in a world that has been ravaged by a deadly virus.
Kim’s Convenience…
This sitcom follows the lives of the Kim Family, and how they take on the challenge of living as Korean-Canadians and the trials and tribulations of everyday life with 2 very different cultures.
Sweet Tooth…
The dark fairytale is based on a comic by DC set in a world where “nature made everyone sick,” and as a result, human-animal hybrids were born. Many have grown to fear them, and hunters have vowed to eliminate them from the world.
But the latest Netflix drop, Queen Cleopatra, has been the center of a firestorm this week.
The show has been accused of “blackwashing” the Eqyptian queen.
“Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was light-skinned, not black,” Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, told the Al-Masry al-Youm newspaper.
Lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary has also filed a complaint claiming they are trying to “promote the Afrocentric thinking … which includes slogans and writings aimed at distorting and erasing the Egyptian identity,” as per the BBC.
Plus, a petition titled “Cancel Netflix’s ‘Queen Cleopatra’” has more than 3,000 signatures.
However, Netflix has offered their side.
“Egypt’s population was multicultural and multiracial. The creative choice to cast a biracial actor to play Cleopatra is a nod to the centuries-long conversation about the ruler’s race,” the platform has stated.
But now the show has been out a while, it’s safe to say that it’s not recieved great reviews from the public either.
The show stars Adele James, Craig Russell and Jada Pinkett Smith, who also acted as executive producer, and is meant to explore ‘the lives of prominent and iconic African Queens’.
But fans and critics have not been impressed… The show scored just 2% from fans on Rotten Tomatoes.
Camilla Long from The Times said: “It is patchy sub-Game of Thrones cosplay interwoven with academics you’ve never heard of.”
Whilst Movies and Munchies‘ Chris Joyce wrote: “While the information is comprehensive, the presentation works against the scholarly authority by creating melodramatic sequences with cringey sequences that come across as fiction rather than fact.”
The show has only been on Netflix a week, but it’s already gotten a lot of negative attention.
What do you think? Will you be watching?