‘Life-changing’ Australian TV series finally lands in UK after 8 years-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

One of the best shows to ever hit screens is now available in the UK (Picture: ABC)

Very often, TV shows get labelled as ‘the best you’ve ever seen’ but when it comes to You Can’t Ask That, it is genuinely a life changing watch.

First hitting screens in 2016, the Australian factual series landed with a bang.

The format saw everyday people part of marginalised groups sit down and face questions sent in by members of the public.

Nothing was off limits.

In the very first episode those in the spotlight were short statured people, who were asked questions like ‘Miget. Dwarf. Little person. What should I call you?’, ‘How does sex work with full sized people?’ and ‘If you have kids will they be normal?’.

The rest of the season saw eight other groups of people then put themselves forward on screen to answer questions often deemed too taboo.

You Can’t Ask That has been airing in Australia since 2016 (Picture: ABC)

The subsequent nine episodes focused on people who were wheelchair users, transgender, Muslim, polyamorous, ex-prisoners, fat, Indigenous, sex workers or terminally ill.

There was every chance the ground-breaking series could have fallen flat, or easily be seen as incredibly insulting.

Instead, it broke down barriers and enabled people in marginalised groups or communities to share their stories and experiences on a prominent platform, with the show airing on the national broadcaster ABC.

When the first season aired, The Guardian wrote the show was an ‘exemplar of allowing diverse people their own voices in media’.

It also said participants offered their answers with ‘great insight, self-awareness and snappy, self-deprecating humour’.

Those who signed up were aware they might face several uncomfortable questions, but very rarely minded answering them truthfully.

It sees people part of marginalised groups answering questions about their lives (Picture: ABC)

Instead of appearing sensational or scandalous, the responses were often very matter of fact and explained what people’s day to day lives involved.

It made for eye-opening, powerful and often emotional viewing.

The final episode of season 1 is a particularly poignant watch right now following the passing of the assisted dying bill in the UK recently.

At the time that episode first aired, Australia was in the midst of its own debate, with the first state (Victoria) passing legislation allowing for assisted dying the following year.

Since 2016, You Can’t Ask That has gone on to air another five seasons.

The first two seasons are now available to stream on Netflix (Picture: ABC)

Across those, other notable episodes have included survivors of sexual assault, former cult members, intersex people, nudists, cheaters, adult virgins, porn stars and those with dementia.

This week Netflix made the series available in the UK for the first time, with the first two seasons now streaming on the platform.

The second season features 12 episodes, with some of them focusing on blind people, suicide attempt survivors, refugees, gambling addicts and the homeless.

Sharing their love of the series on social media, fans have urged others to tune in too.

‘I so love #YouCantAskThat. Just the most honest and compassionate show on TV,’ Simon posted on X.

‘You Can’t Ask That on Netflix is such a good docuseries. It explores many different human experiences in so many ways,’ Mara shared.

‘Just watched the entire series of You Can’t Ask That and I think everyone should watch it!!!’ Irena added.

Meanwhile Kristin said she was left ‘sobbing’ at the ‘brave people telling their stories’.

In 2020 the show’s co-creator Kirk Docker revealed that in the early days of the show, convincing people to open up to the entire country (and now world) was incredibly difficult.

‘The biggest fear for humans is being shamed and at first it was really challenging to make the show because we were investigating things that people thought were shameful. But we were turning it around, trying to understand it, and celebrate it,’ he told The West Australian.

Some of those who have appeared include mothers who experienced postnatal depression (Picture: ABC)

He added that hearing directly from people who faced prejudice and discrimination was what set the series apart.

‘So many shows you will hear the expert, family or friend, and it’s not that those opinions aren’t valid, but in this instance, you are just hearing from lived experience.’

You Can’t Ask That has carved out a niche on our screens, providing truly life-affirming TV as viewers get to hear from the lived experiences of those in their wider communities and across their country.

Over the years the show has spawned several international versions, including in Israel, the Netherlands and Canada. Now, it could also be time to see a UK version too.

You Can’t Ask That is streaming on Netflix.

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