Netflix came under fire last night after British viewers were confronted with a fully erect penis in its new drama.
Viewers, MPs and school activists were left shocked by the final episode of the streaming giant’s six-part series A Man In Full.
Actor Tom Pelphrey drops his blanket after taking Viagra to reveal himself to co-star Jeff Daniels in the adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s best-selling 1998 novel.
It is believed to be the first time a mainstream British television drama has broken the ‘erect penis’ taboo, and there was no prior warning about graphic nudity.
It has highlighted concerns about the regulation of streaming services, with concerns that children are at risk. Netflix is already under fire for its drama Baby Reindeer for failing to protect the identity of a stalker who inspired the story.
Netflix came under fire last night after British viewers were confronted with a fully erect penis in its new drama.
Tom Pelphrey drops his blanket after taking Viagra to reveal himself to co-star Jeff Daniels (pictured)
Jeff Daniels as Charlie Croker in episode 101 of A Man in Full
Viewer columnist Mary Killen said: ‘I don’t want to see explicit sexual images when watching a drama. There is already too much and it is reducing us to nothing more than barnyard animals.’
The Gogglebox contributor added: ‘Viewers should not be forced to watch pornography. This trend will end in tears because it is depressing, unmysterious and takes away some of the magic from life.’
Writer Anne Atkins, a contributor to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, said: “Where are the limits now, Netflix?
“A visibly erect penis is not only repugnant to many normal viewers, but from an artistic point of view it is completely unnecessary: a downward glance, a raised eyebrow would have done much more.”
Watchdog Ofcom’s rules effectively discourage UK broadcasters from showing such a scene, but Netflix, with its European headquarters in Amsterdam, is beyond the regulator’s Broadcasting Code.
Conservative MP Alexander Stafford said: “If Netflix is serving up this kind of low-quality pornographic rubbish, we need to give Ofcom full oversight of the streaming giant’s output as soon as possible.”
Conservative MP Sara Britcliffe added: “Streaming services are available at any time of day, so catchment protection does not apply.”
Tanya Carter, of the Safe Schools Alliance, said: “Once again we are asking why the Government is failing to act on this multi-faceted attack on children.”
Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code states that scenes of sex and nudity must occur beyond the watershed and not be easily accessible to children.
The episode broke a long-standing television taboo and has highlighted concerns about the lack of regulation of streaming services.
Conservative MP Alexander Stafford criticized the scene as “low quality pornographic rubbish”.
There are no other clear guidelines on nudity and no explicit ban on the depiction of an erect penis, but because of the other rules, British broadcasters have avoided showing it.
The Government plans new legislation and a code that all broadcasters operating in the UK must follow. Streamers could be fined up to £250,000 or banned if they break the rules.
Netflix has voluntarily registered with the British Board of Film Classification and A Man In Full has received a rating of 15.
The series is accompanied by a warning about “sex, language, sexual reference, sexual images, injury details,” but has no clear content warning beyond that.
Netflix said: “We have consistently supported the introduction of a Media Bill and proposals to bring Netflix and other streaming services under Ofcom in the UK.”