Log on to Netflix and you will find countless seasons of past shows, and now a number of strong Netflix original TV shows and movies.
In addition to the 94 million users Netflix has amassed, it’s poised to surpass Disney in market value within the next several years. Much of that can be attributed to its success in the original series market.
Hailey Stewart | Argonaut
The streaming service’s first original content series began in 2013 and became one of the most well-known TV dramas for a number of reasons. “House of Cards” has five seasons under its belt and will come to an end with season six this fall.
However, the show’s main actor fell from grace swiftly last October, and he nearly took the show with it.
When it came out that Kevin Spacey had sexually harassed a 14-year-old boy about 30 years ago, his attempt at fixing the predicament with a problematic response made things even worse. Spacey was rightly under fire, Netflix was under fire and any celebrity willing to back Spacey was under fire.
With the #METOO movement not slowing down and the conversation about sexual assault becoming less taboo, this sort of occurrence for a TV show is no longer uncommon. And, when an actor’s actions don’t coincide with the show’s values, the show must make a decision: keep the actor and keep the jobs of others or lose the actor and possibly lose the show.
Similar instances have happened with TV series like “Roseanne,” after Roseanne Barr’s racist Tweets, and “Transparent,” with sexual harassment claims against Jeffrey Tambor. Both shows no longer run with their once main characters. Netflix did the same with Spacey, quickly.
Since then, even more sexual harassment claims have come out.
This was the first major instance for Netflix to take care off, and the company did so in a way that was swift and made a statement. It said a lot about the ethics of the company, and even more about the faith the company has in the final season of the show, which will focus on Robin Wright’s character.
Throughout the series, Wright was a strong female lead, often overshadowing that of co-star Spacey.
Now, as the series moves forward with a final season and a powerful new lead, its expected the already beloved series will be just fine. Early trailers show generic shots of the White House and a dramatic “We’re just getting started” from Wright standing in the Oval Office.
Early this year, critics took their best guesses at what the final season might entail. Some thought the show would begin focusing on other male characters in the series.
Considering Wright’s portrayal of her character, Claire Underwood had been the backbone of the series since 2013, she deserves the lead, the pay and recognition
During a new era of openness and accountability regarding sexual assault, Netflix did it right. The company cut ties rather quickly and placed the show in the hands of a strong, admirable actor.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97