Star’s scene in Binge show causes national stir after viewers complain

Popular Australian TV series Upright has caused a stir after a three-second clip was included in an ad, copping a series of complaints.

A scene from a popular series which shows Australian actress Milly Alcock kicking a colleague in the testicles has caused a national stir, copping a series of complaints.

Australian show Upright, which stars House of the Dragon star Alcock alongside comedian Tim Minchin, debuted its highly-anticipated second season on Foxtel and Binge in December.

A three-second snippet from the scene in question was used in an ad commissioned by Binge, which has received viewer complaints, Ad Standards have said.

Milly Alcock plays rebellious teen Meg on the Aussie series Upright.

In the scene from the first episode of the Foxtel original series, Alcock’s character, rebellious teenager Meg, can be seen kicking a male paparazzi in the testicles.

The handling body for Australia’s advertising complaints said it received a flurry of criticism after the moment was featured in an ad, which some viewers claim encouraged female violence against men and glorified gendered-based violence.

The Ad Standards Panel believed the scene’s use in Binge’s commercial was “gratuitous”, concluding there were other moments from Upright that could’ve been used in the ad, which promoted shows that air on the streaming platform including the global hit Succession and the breakout Australian comedy series Colin From Accounts.

Binge’s executive director, Alison Hurbert-Burns, has since released a statement regarding the scene in question from Upright.

“Binge has some of the most talked about shows on the planet, from the world’s leading studios to our incredible slate of award-winning local productions that our customers love to discuss, share and debate,” she said in a statement to news.com.au.

“Our advertisement gave people a taste of summer’s must watch shows, the ones that our viewers are talking about, which included a scene from Upright, one of our most popular local dramas.”

Stream Upright on BINGE. New customers get a 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly. Sign up at binge.com.au

Comedian Tim Minchin plays Milly Alcock’s sidekick on the show.

The controversy follows complaints to the same advertising standards authority last year over Binge billboards promoting the award-winning local drama Love Me. The billboard featured its stars Bojana Novakovic and Bob Morley in bed together but their appearance kicked off a series of complaints of obscenity and the need for censorship. The series also ignited social commentary debating the appropriateness of showing sex in the 60s.

Aussie actress Milly Alcock also gained fame after her role in House Of The Dragon last year. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

After the success of season 1, Upright returned to screens last December for another adventure-filled season.

In the first season, mismatched pair Lucky (played by Minchin) and Meg forged a friendship as they travelled cross-country to transport a precious piano. This season, the duo are off to tropical Far North Queensland on a mission to find Meg’s mum where a slew of twists and turns unfold.

Upright season 2 is now streaming on Foxtel and Binge

*News Corp, publisher of this website, is majority owner of Foxtel and Binge