Netflix Confirms a Surprising Trend for Shows’ Popularity, Valid for Mega Projects Like ‘Bridgerton’ And ‘Baby Reindeer'

Published 09/18/2024, 2:49 AM EDT

There is no shortage of content for Anglophiles on Netflix. From Regency-era dramas and murder mysteries to gangster sagas and baking competitions, there is a British show to suit every taste. Since 2020, Netflix has poured $6 billion into British productions and currently boasts over 100 active projects in the UK. The reason being- English shows have built a reputation for delivering intricate plots and well-rounded characters- and nothing quite compares to hearing it all in a British accent.

It seems, though, that the streaming giant is unlikely to hit any pause on its British content, having given the platform exactly what it craved.

British shows doing wonders for Netflix

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

According to The Guardian, Netflix has noticed a surprising trend in its viewership of British shows. These shows have proven to be the most popular among audiences in its global streaming service. Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, revealed at the Royal Television Society conference, that the thriller Fool Me Once, the dark comedy Baby Reindeer, the period drama Bridgerton, and the crime thriller The Gentleman claimed the top four spots on the top 10 most-viewed list- with a combined viewership of 360 million.

Fool Me Once is the most popular show on Netflix this year, with 108 million views. Whereas Baby Reindeer won six Emmy Awards and became one of Netflix’s biggest hits of all time with 88 million views. Meanwhile, Bridgerton got 92 million views, and The Gentleman 76 million. Sarandos hailed the UK as “the birthplace of prestige television” but he also defended Baby Reindeer during the conference.

Netflix Overpowers HBO, Apple TV+, Disney, and More But Falls Short for Top Spot at Emmy to This One Network

Baby Reindeer is quite controversial over the subject of consent and privacy. And Ted Sarandos has chalked it all up to a “British debate.”

Ted Sarandos dismissed Baby Reindeer's controversies

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Baby Reindeer, the Netflix original, drew a large audience with its supposedly true story of creator Richard Gadd’s unsettling experience with a dangerously obsessed stalker and even got a nod of approval from the King of Horror, Stephen King. However, it did not take long for the show to become controversial and even land Netflix in legal trouble with a $170 million defamation lawsuit. Despite the controversy, Baby Reindeer topped the charts in 91 countries right after its debut.

In the defense of the show, Ted Sarandos pointed out that the uproar is a peculiarly British local matter. "It is a fairly unique British debate. This debate is not happening anywhere else in the world about Baby Reindeer,” the 60-year-old said. Even so, these controversies have not managed to harm the show's success, as it is now one of the most-watched shows of 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“They’ll ruin it”- Netflix Draws Ire for Adding 'Hot Ones' and Charging for Old Free YouTube Content  

What do you think about this trend in Netflix? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Hriddhi Maitra

1661 articles

Hriddhi Maitra is a Hollywood News reporter at Netflix Junkie. An enthusiastic movie buff, Hriddhi found her true calling when she worked as a Cinema Content Writer at My Cinema Story while analyzing movies objectively, and offering constructive feedback. Coming from a background where she worked in different niches like finance, food, travel, medicines, automobile, and entertainment, we can safely say she is a jack of all trades.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK