Queen Cleopatra cast: who's who in the Netflix period documentary

Queen Cleopatra cast: Adele James takes the lead role of Queen Cleopatra.
Adele James leads the Queen Cleopatra cast. (Image credit: Netflix)

The Queen Cleopatra cast features some great talent who are helping to tell the story of the Ancient Egyptian queen.

Jada Pinkett Smith's Netflix docu-drama, which she also narrates, attempts to uncover the truth about one of the most famous women in history by using the testimonies of real-life experts and historians throughout.

The series features dramatized versions of the queen's life, with a great cast coming together to play some of the most iconic and important figures throughout that time period.

So who's in the Queen Cleopatra cast? Here's everything you need to know about the leading roles...

Adele James as Queen Cleopatra

Adele James putting her crown on in Queen Cleopatra

(Image credit: Netflix)

Queen Cleopatra was Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC, and served as its last active ruler. She has long been an iconic symbol of Ancient Egypt with plenty of dramatisations and stories about her.

In this docu-series, she's played by Casualty star Adele James who has also had roles in Acceptable Damage and That's What She Said

John Partridge as Julius Caesar 

John Partridge as Julius Caesar in Queen Cleopatra

(Image credit: Netflix)

Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman. He defeated his political rival Pompey in a civil war, and subsequently became dictator from 49 BC. He had a relationship with Cleopatra and the two later had a son together, named Caesarion.

He's played by John Partridge who is best known for his role as Christian in the EastEnders. He’s also appeared in Game On and Cats and taken part in I’m a Celebrity and Celebrity Mastermind.  

Craig Russell as Marc Antony 

Craig Russell as Marc Antony with Queen Cleopatra.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Marc Antony was a Roman politician and general who had a scandalous love affair with Cleopatra while challenging the power of Rome, and their romance is among the most famous ones in history.

Actor Craig Russell is known for his The Last Kingdom, Riches, Pitching In, and Doctors. He also played DI Mark Gascoyne in Hollyoaks.

Michael Greco as Pothinus

Michael Greco as Pothinus who is the brother of Queen Cleopatra.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Pothinus was the brother of Queen Cleopatra. He was an Egyptian eunuch and the regent for Ptolemy XIII at the time of the Alexandrine Civil War. Famously, he also betrayed his own sister.

Michael Greco 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

Andira Crichlow as Arsinoe

Andira Crichlow as Arsinoe in Queen Cleopatra

(Image credit: Netflix)

Arsinoe IV was the half-sister of Cleopatra. Despite her sister taking the spotlight throughout history, she is widely regarded as being a strong woman in her own light, and capable of making and breaking alliances, raising an army, and bouncing back after defeat

Queen Cleopatra is Andira Crichlow's first feature-length credit, other than a 2019 short film called 

Jada Pinkett Smith as The Narrator 

Jada Pinkett Smith at the Oscars

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jada Pinkett Smith is the executive producer and narrator of Queen Cleopatra. She is known for movies such as Scream 2, Madagascar and The Matrix trilogy.

Queen Cleopatra is streaming on Netflix now.

Lucy Buglass
Senior Staff Writer

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Now she works for our sister site TechRadar in the same role. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.

She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story, Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress