Netflix, the modern genie of cinema, has granted many a filmmaker's wish, from Guillermo del Toro's enchanting Pinocchio to the regal revival that is The Crown. The streamers' favors to cinema are countless, yet their sins against literature seem to multiply. With their latest endeavor, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Netflix is not merely courting the ire of a fanbase, but provoking the entire literary community.

The OTT Mogul is renowned for its high-class production and, more often than not, for the unique colors it brings into its projects. However, this creative freedom gets tricky when the subject in question is a cherished classic about a man who was criminally convicted for being gay. With Dorian Gray, the streamer had the opportunity to craft a masterpiece worthy of Wilde’s pen. However, the streamer went ahead and made two romantic main characters siblings, triggering fan wrath.

As per Deadline, The Picture of Dorian Gray is being stitched up into a series titled The Grays on Netflix, and it revolves around siblings Basil and Doran Gray, two characters whose romantic bond was anything but subtle in the original. The writer behind the series is working to churn out a contemporary take on the beloved classic in exchange for source accuracy that fans would have very much loved.

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This is not the first time the streamer has found itself in hot waters for their digression from the main source. However, for this cardinal sin of an adaptation according to fans, Netflix is at the receiving end of its most lethal backlash yet, with the exception of SAG-AFTRA.

If there is one streamer that has time and again pledged its allegiance to the LGBTQ+ community, it has to be Netflix. The streamer has churned out mindful teenage-oriented dramas that promote acceptance and help audiences navigate through their conundrums. However, that does not give the streamer the leverage to turn its back on two characters that are strongly assumed to be gay.

The change in the spinal structure of the revered classic had fans hoping that Oscar Wilde turns up to haunt those working on the adaptation and Netflix's downfall, among other things.

It is unclear how far the series is into production but that it will not get a pass from fans is as clear as day. It is now on the makers to decide if they want to adhere to both fan demands and source accuracy or go ahead with their original idea. 

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What do you think about Netflix's adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray? Let us know in the comments below.