Ben Leo has issued a furious response after he deemed Netflix had mocked the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the first anniversary of his assassination.
The streamer has faced fierce backlash over a post shared by its UK and Ireland X account on September 10, exactly one year after the Turning Point USA founder was shot dead.
Netflix shared images from its hit series The Gentlemen showing Eddie Horniman, played by Theo James, turning his head to look at Susie Glass, played by Kaya Scodelario.
Alongside the images, the account wrote: “Nearly did himself a neck injury.”
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The timing and wording sparked outrage among some social media users because Mr Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
In the eyes of many, it also appeared to follow a trend among some social media users who had also posted content mocking neck injuries in reference to Mr Kirk’s assassination.
The People’s Channel presenter was among those who hit out at Netflix, accusing the company of mocking Mr Kirk’s death and announcing he would cancel his subscriptions.
“Netflix mocking the death of Charlie Kirk. Classy,” the GB News presenter wrote. “I support their right to behave repugnantly.
“Just as I back my right to cancel three subscriptions totalling £60 a month.
“@NetflixUK join @benandjerrysUK on the corporate scrapheap.”
However, some users questioned Ben’s interpretation of the post and suggested its publication on the anniversary could simply have been unfortunate timing.
“I do wonder if this was just an unconnected, badly-timed, scheduled tweet from the Netflix marketing department,” one person replied.
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Netflix mocking the death of Charlie Kirk. Classy.
I support their right to behave repugnantly.
Just as I back my right to cancel three subscriptions totalling £60 a month. @NetflixUK join @benandjerrysUK on the corporate scrapheap. https://t.co/NxpFbxCHrN
— Ben Leo (@Benleo) September 10, 2026
Ben remained unconvinced, responding: “They knew what they were doing.”
“How is this connected to Charlie Kirk? Genuine question???” another user asked.
A third wrote: “I don’t see how this is connected to Kirk? It’s the male character turning his head around fast to see the female. Or am I missing something here?”
Someone else added: “What has this got to do with Charlie Kirk?”
However, other users backed Ben’s criticism, with some claiming they had cancelled their subscriptions in response.
“Despicable! Cancelled mine,” one person declared.
Another wrote: “These people are disgusting, depraved, and do NOT deserve your money.”
A further critic said: “Netflix would never have done this if it was a well-known leftie who was murdered; despicable behaviour.”
Netflix has strongly denied that the post had anything to do with Kirk or his assassination.
A spokesperson for the streaming giant told Fox News: “This post directly references a plot point from our UK series, ‘The Gentlemen,’ which launched its second season on Sept. 3.
“Suggestions that it has any link to sensitive real-world events are inaccurate and ludicrous.”
The controversial post remained live on the Netflix UK and Ireland X account on Friday morning.
Mr Kirk was killed at the age of 31 after being shot while speaking at a campus event in Utah on September 10 last year.
The conservative activist founded Turning Point USA and became one of the most prominent young figures on the American Right before his death.
GB News has reached out to Netflix for additional comment.
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