Netflix has denied allegations that a social media post regarding a neck injury was intended to mock the death of Charlie Kirk. The company clarified to Fox News Digital that the content specifically referenced a plot point from its series The Gentlemen.
Images of Eddie Horniman and Susie Glass trigger controversy
Netflix's UK and Ireland X account recently shared images featuring characters from the series The Gentlemen, including Eddie Horniman, played by Theo James, and Susie Glass, played by Kaya Scodelario. The post highlighted a specific plot point involving a character nearly suffering a neck injury. The post featured images of Horniman during his wedding to another woman, looking back at his potential love interest, Susie Glass. This specific visual, combined with the mention of a near-neck injury, became the focal point of the controversy because it was posted on September 10 .
Conservative commentators label the timing "disgusting"
The post triggered a wave of criticism from conservative users on X who viewed the mention of a neck injury as a jab at the anniversary of Charlie Kirk's death. As Fox News Digital reported, various high-profile voices joined the backlash. For instance,the account Libs of TikTok accused Netflix of "subtly mocking" the assassination, while former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt criticized the company's political leanings.
Other critics, such as The Federalist senior editor John Daniel Davidson, suggested the incident was a sign of open hostility from political opponents. Radio host Jason Rantz also expressed disbelief that the timing was not a coincidence, calling the post "absolutely disgusting ."
Netflix defends the post as a reference to Season 2 plot points
Netflix has officially rejected the claims that its social media activity was linked to the sensitive real-world event. A Netflix spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the post was tied directly to a storyline in The Gentlemen, a series that launched its second season on September 3. by framing the post as a direct reference to the show's second season, which premiered just one week earlier, Netflix sought to decouple its marketing efforts from the political fallout.
The company described the suggestions of a connection to Charlie Kirk's death as both "inaccurate and ludicrous." According to the report, the company maintains that the content was strictly intended to engage fans of the show rather than comment on political figures.
The shadow of the Utah Valley University shooting
The controversy is underscored by the violent circumstances surrounding Charlie Kirk's death exactly one year prior. Kirk was shot in the neck during a campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. This event has left a lasting impact on the political landscape and those associated with his movement.
Hernandez, representing Turning Point USA, noted that safety concerns for members have increased since the assassination. Despite these threats, Hernandez emphasized that the organization remains committed to its mission of reaching across the political aisle, even as they face an "uptick in violence."
Was the September 10 timing a coincidence or a miscalculation?
While Netflix has provided a technical explanation for the post, several questions remain regarding the company's internal social media protocols. It is currently unclear whether the UK and Ireland social media team was aware of the significance of the September 10 date in the United States, if the post was part of a pre-scheduled campaign that failed to account for the anniversary of the Utah Valley University shooting, or how Netflix intends to manage similar potential PR crises in an increasingly polarized digital environment.
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