Netflix, the world’s leading streaming service, is facing backlash again due to a controversial scene in one of its latest drama series, which left many viewers unsettled.
Many British viewers were surprised by the explicit content, raising concerns about Netflix’s content guidelines and the platform’s approach to age ratings.
Critics are demanding answers, with heated discussions erupting on social media, and some even calling for stricter regulations.
The drama in question, A Man In Full, based on Tom Wolfe’s 1998 bestseller, has sparked this controversy.
The series follows Atlanta real estate mogul Charlie Croker, who is struggling to keep his business empire afloat amid financial trouble.
While the series has been praised for its performances and compelling storyline, it’s the graphic nature of one particular scene that has drawn the most attention.
Criticism has also come from commentators such as BBC Radio 4’s Anne Atkins, who called the scene unnecessary. “A scene showing a fully exposed male body part is disturbing for many viewers,” she commented, adding that a more subtle approach would have been more effective.
Her concerns were echoed by Mary Killen of The Spectator, who felt the explicit content detracted from the overall storytelling. She argued that such moments cheapen the emotional impact and depth of the narrative.
The scene in question involves Tom Pelphrey’s character, who after taking a medication, reveals himself to Jeff Daniels’ character, Charlie Croker. The unanticipated nature of the scene caught UK viewers off guard, particularly given the country’s stricter broadcasting regulations.
Although the series carries a 15+ rating in line with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), many viewers felt unprepared for the graphic content.
Conservative MP Alexander Stafford criticized Netflix for airing such content and called for the platform to come under the regulatory control of Ofcom. He described the scene as “inappropriate and unnecessary,” stressing the importance of content oversight.
These concerns were echoed by fellow MP Sara Britcliffe, who pointed out that streaming platforms, unlike traditional TV, do not have watershed protection, meaning content can be accessed at any time of day.
Advocates like Tanya Carter from the Safe Schools Alliance also voiced frustration, questioning why more isn’t being done to protect younger audiences from exposure to such scenes.
