Netflix said a social post showing two screenshots from season two of The Gentlemen referenced a plot point from the series and denied any link to Charlie Kirk's death. The caption "Nearly did himself a neck injury" prompted outrage because it appeared on the one-year anniversary of the shooting that killed Kirk. Critics and several conservative figures called for boycotts, while Netflix characterized suggestions of a connection as "ludicrous." Memorials and official remembrances marked the anniversary as the suspect's case moves toward trial.
Netflix Denies Mocking Charlie Kirk After 'Nearly Did Himself A Neck Injury' Post Sparks Outrage
(L) Charlie Kirk speaks at the opening of the Turning Point Action conference on July 15, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida; (R) The Netflix logo is displayed at the entrance to Netflix Albuquerque Studios film and television production studio lot in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 13, 2023.
Netflix has rejected accusations that a social media post from its UK & Ireland account was intended to mock the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, after the post drew heavy criticism for appearing on the anniversary of the shooting that killed him.
What Was Posted
The Netflix UK & Ireland X account shared two screenshots from season two of Guy Ritchie's series The Gentlemen, showing Theo James's character Eddie marrying an Italian countess (Isabella, played by Benedetta Porcaroli) and turning to see Susie (Kaya Scodelario) leaving the cathedral. The caption read: “Nearly did himself a neck injury.” The clip contains no depiction of gun violence.
Public Reaction
The post was published on the one-year anniversary of the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, and many users interpreted the caption as a reference to the fatal attack. Responses ranged from accusations that Netflix was celebrating Kirk's death to calls for subscription cancellations.
"Joking about a 'neck injury' on the anniversary of a man being shot in the neck is vile. A young father was murdered while talking to students. Netflix personifies evil."
"This is a shocking level of evil, even by Netflix's standards. The biggest streaming company in the world is mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination."
Prominent conservative accounts and figures, including the popular account Libs of TikTok and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, urged people to cancel Netflix subscriptions.
Netflix's Response
Netflix denied any connection between the post and Kirk. A company spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the comparison was "ludicrous." In a separate statement to Newsweek, Netflix said the post "directly references a plot point from our UK series, The Gentlemen, which launched its second season on September 3. Suggestions that it has any link to sensitive real world events are inaccurate and ludicrous."
Anniversary Events And Legal Update
The post came as memorial events and official remembrances marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting. Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared the day "Charlie Kirk Day," and former President Donald Trump reshared tributes on Truth Social.
Turning Point USA hosted a memorial on the university plaza where Kirk was shot; reports said mourners gathered around a large wooden cross and a bell tolled at 12:20 p.m., the time of the shooting. The suspect, 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder; a judge recently ruled there is sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial, and Robinson faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
Context: The incident highlights how timing and phrasing on social media can provoke intense public reaction, especially when posts coincide with sensitive anniversaries. Netflix maintains the post related strictly to its programming and not to any real-world event.
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