Black Panther's Florence Kasumba explains importance of Black queer representation

Black Panther star Florence Kasumba has spoken about the importance of Black queer representation in blockbuster films.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Kasumba, who plays Ayo in the Marvel movie, spoke about the significance of having representation in mainstream media, saying: "I think that representation – it doesn’t matter what the topic is. It’s extremely important.

"Because you have people sitting out there, thinking there’s something wrong with them, and it’s not. It’s absolutely not," she continued.

"We are how we are, and that’s okay. And when you see that in a production like this, with people you really look up to, it makes a big difference, because it should be mainstream, that attitude."

Kasumba added: "For me, it’s nothing new but for people who are maybe having a different attitude, they’re watching a movie like that, and thinking, 'Hey, I need to change the way I go through life'."

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The actress also spoke about her experience working with I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel, who plays Aneka, and the relationship between their two characters.

"Well, Michaela is fun. Having someone walking in with that much talent and that much creativity and being that open – that was just fun, working with her, and, yeah, playing these two characters," she said.

"I can’t go into detail because we’re not there yet. But [their dynamic] is present. You know? It’s learning from each other, and playing strong women."

Kasumba's comments aren't the first to reference an LGBTQ+ storyline in the Black Panther films, either. Following the release of the 2018 movie, screenwriter Joe Robert Cole revealed there had been talks to include a love story between Kasumba's character and Danai Gurira's Okoye.

"I think the short answer is yes," he said, when asked about a potential relationship between the two characters by Vanity Fair.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is released in cinemas on November 11. The first movie is streaming on Disney+.

Credit: Pandora

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Brenna Cooper

Reporter, Digital Spy
Brenna Cooper is a freelance journalist, who currently specialises in entertainment reporting. She joined Digital Spy in 2022, writing TV and movies stories for the site. After graduating with an NCTJ accredited Journalism Masters from the University of Sheffield in 2020 she has since embarked on a freelance career.

Brenna previously produced lifestyle content for Checklists.co.uk and has a specific interest in music, reviewing live acts and interviewing bands such as Confidence Man and Amyl and the Sniffers.

Janet A Leigh

TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.