ITV Douglas Is Cancelled viewers all say the same thing as new cancel culture show gets mixed reviews

New ITV comedy-drama Douglas Is Cancelled aired its first episode on Thursday, June 27 — and viewers all said the same thing. The plot of the series, which is written by Steven Moffat (known for his work on Doctor Who and Sherlock), revolves around popular news presenter Douglas Bellowes (Hugh Bonneville) who faces public backlash after making a sexist joke at a wedding.

Initially Douglas doesn't take the concept of cancel culture seriously until his job is threatened. More concerning is the fact that not everyone he trusts for support genuinely has his back, including Douglas' younger television co-host Madeline (Karen Gillan) who pretends to be part of a team in front of him but is clearly playing her own game from the start.

One character who has been met with some particularly scrutinising comments on social media is Douglas’ daughter Claudia (Madeleine Power). She is someone who has recently come into her own as an activist and is frequently angry at her journalist mother Sheila (Alex Kingston) but more empathetic towards her father.

READ MORE: Katherine Jenkins celebrates birthday at star-studded bash with Alex Jones and Piers Morgan

READ MORE: Susanna Reid asks 'what on earth' on Jay Slater disappearance as search continues

Following the first episode viewers took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to share their disapproval at Claudia’s behaviour with one person writing: “If privileged kids are anything like the daughter. The world is fxxxxx.” A second commented: “How unbearable is that daughter”.

A third echoed: “#DouglasIsCancelled I thought that was a great start - despite the unrealistic daughter.” And a fourth commented: “#DouglasIsCancelled I'm enjoying this. Quite funny. His wife was spot on about headlines and twitter. Claudia (THE DAUGHTER) is unbearable though. Needs a kick up the backside. Imagine having her as a daughter.”

Other people suggested that Claudia was an “unrealistic” interpretation of what a modern day teenager would be like with one person writing: “Oh mate, the daughter is so fake. Nobody is actually like that. Too forced”. A further person commented: “Their daughter is meant to be 19 but behaving like Kevin the teenager. Far too immature for 19, not a believable character.”

Despite criticism of Claudia, reviews were generally positive for the four-parter, which has already been released in its entirety on ITVX. “Binging #DouglasIsCancelled and the role @karengillan plays as Madeline is something special,” wrote one person. You can read our review of the series here.

Douglas Is Cancelled airs on ITV1 and ITVX. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.