Ukraine's culture minister, Oleksandr Tkachenko, has formally complained to Netflix over what he describes as an 'unacceptable' and 'insulting' caricature of a Ukrainian character in the second series of the hit show Emily in Paris.
In a Telegram post, Tkachenko criticised the portrayal of Petra, played by Daria Panchenko, who is depicted as terrified of deportation, a shoplifter, and lacking in fashion sense. 'We have a caricature image of a Ukrainian woman that is unacceptable. It is also insulting. Is that how Ukrainians are seen abroad?' he wrote. Ukrainian media confirmed that a letter of complaint has been sent to the streaming giant.
The show, starring Lily Collins as an American marketing executive who moves to Paris, has faced previous criticism for its stereotypical depiction of French people, including beret-wearing and chain-smoking characters. A Guardian review called the first series 'astonishingly tone-deaf'. French critic Charles Martin of Première said, 'Frankly, watching Emily in Paris there’s plenty to feel insulted about.'
In an interview with Elle UK in December, Collins said the show aimed to be 'more inclusive and diverse' in its second season, addressing concerns from viewers. Despite the backlash, Emily in Paris remains a global hit for Netflix, consistently ranking in the platform's top 10 most-viewed shows.
