Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, TV And Film, True Crime, Crime
Rhianna Benson
After landing on US Netflix earlier this week, viewers of a brand new true crime documentary have hit out at producers, branding the subject nature of the programme both 'disgusting' and 'disturbing'.
So much so, that hundreds of subscribers in the States have appealed with British viewers NOT to tune into the one-off programme - titled Tell Them You Love Me - due to its harrowing nature... if it ever does land on the UK version of the streaming service, that is.
Naturally, however, this stark warning from our transatlantic cousins has sparked the intrigue of hundreds of Team GB true crime fanatics, who've been frantically search how exactly they can access the controversial documentary over here.
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If you've remained out of the loop as to why this particular hour-long special has triggered such an excessive response from viewers, allow us to catch you up.
The documentary centres on the heinous true tale of the 'love story' of Derrick Johnson and Anna Stubblefield.
Back in 2009, 28-year-old Derrick - who is Black, non-verbal and disabled - first met white and married university professor Anna Stubblefield, the teacher of his older brother, John.
John had initially approached his 39-year-old ethics lecturer in the hope of her being able to assist in Derrick's communication struggles.
Anna agreed and began teaching Derrick how to use a keyboard with LED screen to type, after which he began taking university classes with her.
It was during this time that mother-of-two Anna subsequently claimed that - though she was wed to someone else - she and Derrick had fallen in love and began an allegedly consensual, sexual relationship.
After eventually catching wind of Anna and Derrick's relations, his mother Daisy Johnson later argued in court that her son lacked the capacity to engage in both physical and emotional intimacy.
The heartbroken mum also insisted that Derrick lacked the ability to communicate in the way that Anna claimed he had.
She claimed that wouldn't have been possible without her manipulating his hands, being that he'd been declared by the state to have the mental capacity of a toddler.
As a result, in 2015 Anna was found guilty of two counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Two years later, her appeal was granted and conviction revoked after a judge ruled she did not receive a fair trial.
Taking to social media this week, countless Netflix viewers watching from America have implored subscribers in other countries that are considering watching the show - which landed the US site last week - to think again.
"It's disgusting," one penned this week. "She was sentenced to 12 years and only served two, it's mind blowing!!! She's sick!!!"
Another went on: "It was such a shocking documentary and honestly I'm still not 100% sure what I believe; the truth is somewhere in between."
Someone else commented: "Too disturbing for me to continue watch it."
But with the stomach-wrenching watch having received such a colossal wave of backlash from American viewers, as we say, there seems to be a huge rise in Brits hoping to access the show, intrigued as to how could have possibly led to some viewers 'switching it off'.
If we're describing you, worry not.
Despite not yet having been made available on UK Netflix, British viewers can sink their teeth into this dubious documentary by hopping onto Sky, or alternatively, its streaming service sister NOW.
Sky customers can access it immediately on their home or mobile device, or new new subscribers can sign up for £22 a month to access Netflix series.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.