Netflix's 'You' sparks concern around romanticising stalking as charity responds

Netflix's 'You' is one of the streaming platform's most popular shows as a fourth season is now available to watch.

But there are concerns about the TV drama that largely centre around accusations that viewers are increasingly drawn to sympathise with the show's antagonist Joe Goldberg. The character is a serial killer and stalker.

Reports have highlighted how stalking victims and experts have called out the show for its themes and plot. Penn Badgley, who plays Joe, has also been forced to speak out by replying to tweets where fans have pointed out their admiration for the show's main character.

A leading charity which tackles issues surrounding stalking has urged caution in how the issue is presented in popular culture after the concerns were highlighted.

Speaking to the Independent, Jess, 35, who was stalked by an ex-boyfriend said: “I think that as entertaining as shows like this can be, it is always dangerous to romanticise things like stalking,”

“He would try and follow me around, often using a different car so I wouldn’t recognise him.

“He didn’t live or work anywhere near me but would drive down to my house to see if I was there, and park down the road.”

In 2020, more than 80,000 incidents of stalking were recorded by police forces in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – a huge increase from the 27,156 incidents reported the year before.

Francesca, 33, is also a victim of stalking who added: “We shouldn’t be encouraged to take the side of the stalker.

"'You’ has managed to make it so that we do. And anything that normalises this kind of behaviour or justifies it in any way is very dangerous to both potential victims and potential stalkers.”

A leading UK charity dealing with stalking has also weighed in on the issue.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust - set up in memory of Suzy Lamplugh, a 25-year-old estate agent, who went missing in July 1986 - deal specifically with issues around stalking.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Stalking is sadly all too common, with 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men experiencing stalking throughout their lifetime.

"It is also evident that the detrimental psychological impact on the victim is often not being recognised, (91 percent of victims in a study experienced mental health issues after being stalked), nor is the risk of homicide in stalking cases (94 percent of femicides in a study had stalking in their antecedent history).

"Whilst we believe popular culture can play a crucial role in raising awareness about the prevalence of this crime, it is important that such depictions do not seek to trivialise or romanticise the relationship a stalker has to their victim.

"If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of stalking, you can get support from our specialist stalking advocates at the National Stalking Helpline 0808 802 300 or visit our website.”

You can contact The Suzy Lamplugh Trust at www.suzylamplugh.org for more information.