The BBC is bracing for a significant viewer backlash after releasing the first promotional images for its upcoming drama, Riot Women. The series, which delves into the miners' strikes of the 1980s, has been immediately branded as 'anti-British' and 'woke nonsense' by furious social media users.
Initial stills from the show depict a group of women, seemingly protesters, wielding sticks and confronting police officers. This provocative imagery has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many accusing the national broadcaster of deliberately distorting historical events to push a modern political agenda.
Viewer Fury and Boycott Threats
The reaction online was swift and severe. One incensed viewer commented, "Looks like another load of woke nonsense from the BBC. Anti-British and anti-police. Not for me." Another threatened, "I for one will not be watching this drivel. Another reason to scrap the TV licence."
The criticism centres on the perceived glorification of violence and a biased portrayal of a contentious period in British history. Many argue that the BBC is using public funds to produce content that is deliberately divisive.
A Contentious Production
Starring Bella Ramsey and Lucy Halliday, the drama aims to tell the story of the women at the heart of the 1984 miners' strike. However, its dramatic interpretation appears to have missed the mark with a large segment of its potential audience before a single episode has aired.
This is not the first time the BBC has found itself in hot water over its historical dramas. Critics often accuse the corporation of sacrificing accuracy for contemporary social commentary, a move that continues to alienate segments of its traditional viewer base.
With the hashtag #DefundTheBBC already gaining traction, the corporation faces an uphill battle to convince the public of the show's merit and justify its use of the licence fee in its production.
