Netflix launches Black Lives Matter section to ‘highlight powerful and complex narratives’

Netflix have added a Black Lives Matter section to the streaming service. 

In a statement detailing the move, Netflix explained the aim is to highlight ‘powerful and complex narratives about the Black experience’. 

A host of shows have been removed from various services following the recent Black Lives Matter protests that have been taking place primarily in the US and the UK and now bosses have launched a new section.  

The Black Lives Matter section of the site features 47 films and series including Beyonce’s Homecoming and When They See Us. 

A spokesperson for the streaming service explained: ‘When we say Black Lives Matter, we also mean Black storytelling matters…

‘With an understanding that our commitment to true, systemic change will take time – we’re starting by highlighting powerful and complex narratives about the Black experience…

‘When you log onto Netflix today, you will see a carefully curated list of titles that only begin to tell the complex and layered stories about racial injustice and Blackness in America.’

The announcement comes after it was revealed that The League of Gentlemen has been pulled from Netflix for its blackface character Papa Lazarou – as more films and TV shows face removal from streaming services over ‘racist’ stereotypes.

The controversial character was played by white actor Reece Shearsmith in the BBC Two comedy series, and has been heavily criticised over the years for his painted black face.

The show was pulled from Netflix in the UK ahead of its expiry date of June 19, alongside Canadian series The Drunk And On Drugs Happy Funtime Hour which also features two characters in blackface.

Netflix has also removed comedian Chris Lilley’s controversial shows Summer Heights High, We Can Be Heroes, Jonah From Tonga and Angry Boys from the platform in Australia and New Zealand, Deadline reported.

It comes after Little Britain was removed from Netflix, BBC iPlayer and BritBox amid concerns that the use of blackface characters on the series is no longer acceptable.

In an apparent reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests, Netflix pulled the Matt Lucas, 46, and David Walliams, 48, series on Friday, along with the pair’s other comedy Come Fly With Me.

On Monday, the BBC and BritBox both confirmed they had also decided to remove Little Britain saying ‘times have changed’ since the show first aired.

When asked if more shows would be removed, a BBC spokesman told MailOnline: ‘The change only affects Little Britain.’ 

Netflix also followed All 4’s decision to axe Bo’ Selecta, which impersonated black stars such as Craig David, Trisha Goddard and Michael Jackson.

It was pulled from All 4 after creator Leigh Francis recently issued a tearful apology. It is, however, still available on Prime Video.

The second round of removals suggests an uncertain future for other popular comedy series which feature similar techniques, though many are still available to watch on streaming sites.

Friday’s decision by Netflix to remove Lucas and Walliams’ two series sparked anger from subscribers to the service, who were annoyed when they discovered the two shows had been dropped.

Journalist and former MEP Daniel Hannan was among those to speak out.

He wrote: ‘There is an unbearable smugness in rushing to condemn Ali G, Bo’ Selecta or other shows that were fine until the day before yesterday. As if to say, ‘You all thought this was fine, but look – I’m more sensitive than you’. Hmmm. Maybe you’re just more priggish.’

But the company is understood to have believed it was the right thing to do.

The move is likely to lead to calls for more outdated shows that may be seen as racist to be removed.

Those angered by the move said they were ‘fuming’ and ‘gutted’ at the decision.