Celeste Barber, a comedian and actor, has taken aim at Netflix after the cancellation of her show Wellmania.
The Australian comedy-drama series, which premiered earlier this year, features Celeste as Liv Healy, a 39-year-old woman dealing with a’major health crisis’ as she tries various tactics to recapture her well-being.
While it debuted on the platform’s worldwide top 10 list in March, it has not been renewed by the streaming service, much to the chagrin of its star.
Celeste, renowned for her funny recreations of celebrity photographs and pranks, announced the news on social media before blasting Netflix.
She said how she was notified by Netflix executives on Monday that the series would not be renewed for a second season, and she then spoke her thoughts on the subject.
‘I understand, in the grand scheme of things with what is going on in the world at the moment, who f***king cares? But a lot of you do care and are asking me about it,’ she said.
‘We found out yesterday it’s not going to be renewed. Netflix said it’s something about numbers … Sure.
‘I thought it smashed it, but I don’t understand how it works. This industry is kind of bull****.’
She then thanked fans for their ‘love and support around the show’.
‘We had such an excellent time and the way it was received was so overwhelming so I’m bummed that I can no longer explore that excellent character of Liv Healy and I know a lot of you said to me that you saw yourselves in that character and wanted to see more of her but this industry is bull****.’
Celeste then reiterated that the cancellation was a minor issue given the state of the world, before lightening the mood by telling people to ‘kiss babies’ and ‘watch Friends,’ before adding,’maybe don’t’ because the show was on the streaming platform she’d just slammed, instead suggesting they track down a DVD.
Several high-profile supporters, like Sharon Stone, were also irritated by the choice.
Commenting on Celeste’s post, she wrote: ‘Well I think u r GANGSTER AND ALL THINGS FAB. Keep going. And I haven’t been renewed in decades so who really cares. Keep being AMAXING AND SEE YOU OUT THERE IN FAB LAND.’
Jameela Jamil also commented, simply writing, ‘We love you.’
Peter Helliar, an Australian comedian, suggested she move the programme “to another streamer.”
Celeste stated in April that the reception to the event had been phenomenal.
‘Oh, my gosh, it’s been unbelievable. We were number seven, globally, for two weeks on Netflix,’ she said.
‘We’re a pretty little Australian show and we’re up against these massive productions. The fact that we’re trending globally just blows my mind.
‘I’m so proud of the show and everyone involved. And I love — love! — my audience. My peeps who follow me and have supported me for however long. The fact that they’re now enjoying what I first and foremost have always wanted to be — which is an actor and comedian, not just an Instagram person — is so fulfilling and fantastic.’
She went on to say she’d been ‘inundated with messages from people asking about season two’.
Wellmania is streaming on Netflix.
