In a surprising turn of events, the controversial Netflix miniseries 'Apple Cider Vinegar' has garnered an impressive nine nominations for the prestigious 2026 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards. This comes despite the show receiving a notably poor reception from viewers upon its debut earlier this year.
A Triumph Over Tepid Reviews
The six-part drama, which chronicles the story of infamous cancer faker Belle Gibson, was widely criticised by audiences who labelled it 'underwhelming' and 'drawn out'. However, this criticism has not hindered its recognition by the Australian academy, positioning it as a major contender at one of the country's premier screen industry events.
The series will compete for Best Miniseries against formidable rivals including Invisible Boys, Mix Tape, The Last Anniversary, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, and The Survivors.
Lead and Supporting Cast Recognised
The show's leading stars have both been acknowledged for their performances. Kaitlyn Dever, who portrays Belle Gibson, and Alycia Debnam-Carey, who plays Milla Blake, are both nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Drama. They face stiff competition from Aisha Dee (Watching You), Tuuli Narkle (Mystery Road Origin), Teresa Palmer (Mix Tape), and Anna Torv (The Newsreader).
Furthermore, the series secured six nominations across the supporting actor and actress categories. Essie Davis, Aisha Dee, and Susie Porter are all in the running for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, while Mark Coles Smith, Matt Nable, and Ashley Zukerman are nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.
Audience Criticism and Celebrity Critique
The AACTA recognition starkly contrasts the show's public reception. When it launched, many viewers took to social media to express their disappointment. Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge was a notable critic, suggesting on Instagram that the story should have been a film. 'This should have been quality movie length 1 ep,' he wrote. 'Instead of 6 eps of drippel,' awarding it a harsh two out of ten rating.
Similar sentiments were echoed on platform X, where one viewer questioned if they were the only one who found the series 'underwhelming and drawn out', with another noting it fell short compared to the source material, the book 'The Woman Who Fooled the World'.
Despite this fan backlash, the 2026 AACTA Awards nominations have solidified 'Apple Cider Vinegar' as a critical favourite, proving that industry acclaim and audience opinion do not always align. The full list of nominations for the awards ceremony is now available.
