Gentleman Jack viewers squirm over ‘disgusting’ comments

GENTLEMAN Jack fans were left in shock over ‘disgusting’ comments made about the sexuality of the lead characters.

Series two of the period drama has seen Anne Lister (Suranne Jones) and Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle) move in together – but not everybody in their lives is happy about it.

BBC

Sophie Rundle (L) and Suranne Jones star in BBC’s Gentleman Jack[/caption]

Gentleman Jack is based on the books by Sally Wainwright and is set in 1832 England.

The series is inspired by a remarkable true story of the charismatic Anne, who is often called “the first modern lesbian”, as she attempts to revitalise her inherited home—and marry wealthy heiress, Ann.

The new landowner records the details of her life – including the forbidden romance – in a cryptic dairy that no one can decode.

But the latest episode shoed those around the two women figure out their secret, with many in Ann Walker’s family openly objecting to their relationship.

Throughout the episode ‘the Tribe’ a group of aristocrats in Halifax, openly discuss how much they despise Anne and how it is inappropriate for the two women to live together.

But’s a scene featuring Anne’s sister Marian (Gemma Whelan) and aunt Anne (Gemma Jones) that really upset viewers.

Marian opened up to Anne about how upsetting people’s attitudes were.

She revealed how Ann’s aunt described her sister as “unnatural.”

“She said she had a reputation in York and assumed everyone in Halifax would know about it and that she couldn’t care less, except for Miss Walker’s reputation,” Marian explained, to which her aunt replied “nonesense.”

Viewers were angry at the blatant homophobia but highlighted it was important to see.

“The homophobia in this episode is really making us feel very uncomfortable…..as it is meant to,” wrote one person on Twitter.

Another added: “Oh f**k you Eliza, you did NOT just say that.”

And a third wrote: “Ann Walker’s aunt can b**ger off!”

BBC

Viewers were outraged at homophobic comments made in the second episode of the new series[/caption]

BBC

A character dubbed the women’s relationship as ‘unnatural’[/caption]