Romeo & Juliet: ‘Love and solidarity towards her has to be louder than the abuse’

Actor and writer Susan Wokoma joined Anita Rani on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour to talk about co-authoring an open letter in solidarity with Francesca Amewudah-Rivers.

The black actress was trolled with "racist and misogynistic abuse" after being cast as Juliet, alongside Tom Holland playing Romeo, in a new production of the Shakespeare play in the West End.

Over 800 creatives have signed the open letter - including One Day's Ambika Mod, comedian Lolly Adefope and Sex Education's Chinenye Ezeudu.

Susan told Anita that she was compelled to co-write the letter with her friend and fellow writer, Somalia Nonyé Seaton, after experiencing similar racial abuse in the industry.

You can listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds - it’s the Woman’s Hour episode from 12 April.