If you tell us to create a series about ‘Mental Health’ and earn millions, count us in. But if you tell us to care about an ‘individual’ who is suffering from mental issues, we won’t be bothering much about that. This is probably the indirect narrative of the streaming giant Netflix, as they are now in the crosshairs of some serious allegations.
Barry Coleman, a past Netflix HR director, pointed out certain ‘discomforting’ things, which include Netflix having an unwritten policy of ‘tolerating harassment and discrimination,’ which ended in a $1.5m settlement.
In Netflix India’s reign, one such case arose when Sakshi Chopra discussed her experience on the show ‘Social Network’ and mentioned how the makers violated her contract by denying basic necessities such as food and water.
Previously, a season 2 participant from ‘Love is Blind’ had some concerning points. Jeremy Hartwell sued Netflix and the production company and accused them of having ‘inhumane work conditions.’
That doesn’t mark the end of the disaster, as Nick Thompson and Danielle Ruhl reported that there is a serious lack of mental health support.
Now, let’s come to the present as Netflix’s one of the most popular shows, Bridgerton, observes one such event. Ruby Barker now calls out Netflix and Shondaland as they were practically absent during her psychotic breaks. She also cleared it out that the breaks were kept quiet so that it doesn’t damage the show’s popularity.
Barker’s initial break came a week after the end of the filming of the first season. She spent a year in the hospital before the show premiered.
She elucidated, “I was deteriorating. It was a really tormenting place for me to be because my character was very alienated, very ostracized, on her own, under these horrible circumstances.”
“Not a single person from Netflix, not a single person from Shondaland, since I have had two psychotic breaks from that show, have even contacted me or even emailed me to ask me if I’m OK or if I would benefit from any sort of aftercare or support,” she added. “Nobody.”
She later added that her life underwent rapid change, lacking adequate support then and even now. She struggled to maintain composure and normalcy. Barker also points out that the mental breakdown has a lot to do with the isolated nature of her character.
Now, as an actor, certain roles do leave a long-time impact on someone’s life, and mental depression is a big part of that. The studios shouldn’t be accountable for the result of the role, that’s a pre-supposition, but being there is the least they can do.
Netflix is already in the mud with such allegations, and surprisingly, they aren’t showing any signs of stopping. The strict deadlines and highly demanding schedules are enough to wear you down mentally. Add the spice of sexual harassment and ‘not caring about mental health,’ and it becomes a whole lot tougher.
As the platform is moving towards a more ‘GenZ’ oriented future, they are officially addressing such issues. However, in terms of actively working on it, they are a no-show.
No official statement has been released from the streaming giants, as they are expecting it to fade into oblivion, and so it will be. As soon as we get the next Netflix release, we will munch on your popcorn and sing the praise of ‘Oh Glorious Netflix!’
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