Netflix urged to axe Matt Wright’s series

The wife of Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, who was killed in a NT chopper crash, asks Netflix to pull Wild Croc Territory while its star Matt Wright faces criminal proceedings.

The wife of cast member Chris “Willow” Wilson, who was killed in a Northern Territory chopper crash, has urged Netflix to axe its highly-rating reality TV series Wild Croc Territory – featuring her husband – until criminal proceedings against the show’s star Matt Wright are complete.

On Tuesday afternoon Danielle Wilson emailed Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and one of the show’s executive producers, Nick Fordham, expressing her pain and distress that the wildly popular series is still being broadcast despite another executive producer – Matt Wright – being charged with serious criminal offences related to her husband’s death.

In the email, cited by The Australian, Mrs Wilson said she expected the series to be pulled after Northern Territory Police revealed on Monday that they had issued an arrest warrant for the show’s star Mr Wright.

“While I have found the actions of Netflix and the executive producers to be seriously lacking in any empathy or respect in continuing to show the series following the tragic death of my husband, I have to date let the matter rest under the assumption that the series would cease being shown immediately if, or when, the Northern Territory Police indicated charges would be brought in relation to my husband’s death and the subsequent alleged related actions of individuals who appear in the series,” she said.

Danielle Wilson (L) has written to Netflix calling for the platform to axe Wild Croc Territory with star Matt Wright facing criminal proceedings over the crash that killed her husband (R).

“I am extremely disappointed to read this week in the media that not only has this not occurred, but that Netflix are also refusing to comment on the future of the series at all.

“It pains me greatly that the series is still being shown despite the serious allegations that have been made against an individual involved in the series.

“To that end, I would request that Netflix immediately cease showing, promoting or advertising the series from its programming schedule until such a time that all Court proceedings in relation to the tragic death of my husband have been finalised.”

The Australian has contacted Netflix and Mr Fordham for comment.

A second season of Wild Croc Territory – which was broadcast on Channel 9 and is now being screened on Netflix – has already been planned for next year.

The Northern Territory Government contributed $250,000 towards the production of the show which it said would attract more than 200 million viewers.

Mrs Wilson also expressed disappointment that she had been “kept in the dark” about plans for the show.

“As you may be aware, my husband Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson starred in the series before he was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in the Northern Territory on 28 February 2022,” she wrote.

Matt Wright arrives in Darwin flanked by security to present himself to NT Police to face charges relating to the fatal accident that killed his friend and co-star Chris Wilson

“Over the course of recent months (and following the death of my husband), I have been largely kept in the dark by both Netflix and the executive producers of the series (being Nick Fordham and Matt Wright) as to what was to happen with the series.

“I was not informed about any details surrounding the launch of the series on Netflix or any of the planned activities to promote it.”

The mother of two young boys said that finding out about the show through the media had been “extremely distressing”.

“Despite repeated requests that Chris and my sons Ted and Austin were acknowledged in some way in the series, it is my understanding that this has not occurred,” she said.

“I do note that there is a short tribute to Chris which airs only in the final episode of the series.”

Matt Wright allegedly sent a staffer to obtain the mobile phone of critically injured pilot Sebastian Robinson – as he lay in a Brisbane intensive care unit – just two days after the fatal February chopper crash that killed cast member Chris “Willow” Wilson at West Arnhem Land

On Tuesday night NT Police charged Mr Wright with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

The 43-year-old was bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court at 9.30am this morning.

On Monday Mr Wright’s spokesperson said he “strenuously denies any wrongdoing” and will be “vigorously defending the charges”.

The Australian has contacted Netflix, Mr Fordham and Channel Nine for comment.