After around a decade, a subscriber has decided to cancel their Netflix subscription for good, citing the streaming service's repeated willingness to profit from the victims of convicted rapist Russell Brand. The decision follows the release of a teaser trailer for a new documentary examining Brand's crimes.
New Documentary and Ongoing Availability
The documentary, titled Russell Brand: Open Secret, comes from 72 Films, the same production company behind Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story. It features voices from insiders and archival footage of Brand from before he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to more than a decade behind bars.
At the same time, Netflix is refusing to take down Brand's 2018 comedy special Russell Brand: Re:Birth. In the special, he made remarks about fatherhood and the birth of his daughter. Also still available is the 2007 film St Trinian's, starring Brand as Flash Harry.
Comparison with BBC Actions
The BBC has removed all of David Walliams' projects from its streaming services, despite Walliams not having been convicted of any crime and denying all allegations against him. Netflix, by contrast, is staunchly refusing to stop profiting off Brand's stand-up.
In a statement, Netflix confirmed: "We prioritise choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices." The streamer has previously stood by stars like Jimmy Carr despite backlash to a joke about the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community, and by Dave Chappelle over his controversial views on transgender rights.
Impact and Subscriber Response
While the special "will no longer be actively promoted" by Netflix, the fact that it remains available on the platform has caused distress. The subscriber expressed that the act is unforgivable, leading to the decision to end their subscription.
