Behind Her Eyes: Scots say Netflix drama shows them as ‘miserable’

Scots have blasted new Netflix drama Behind Her Eyes for making them out to be ‘miserable, bad-tempered and stingy’. 

Viewers blasted the psychological thriller’s script – based on a book adaptation – as ‘anti-Scot’ and claimed some of the lines were ‘racist’. 

They were also angry that neither of the two main characters were played by Scots, with Oxford-born Tom Bateman’s Scottish accent described as ‘scary’. 

Eddi Reader, of rock band Fairground Attraction, fumed on Twitter: ‘Did anyone else catch the anti-Scot script? Apparently all Scots are either miserable or mean. I don’t accept it and never ever will.’ 

They were also angry that neither of the two main characters were played by Scots Oxford-born Tom Bateman’s (pictured) Scottish accent described as ‘scary’. He plays the role of psychiatrist David

Eddi Reader, of rock band Fairground Attraction, fumed about the show on social media

Eddi Reader, of rock band Fairground Attraction, fumed about the show on social media 

Meanwhile, SNP MP Stewart Hosie told The Mirror: ‘These daft, tasteless, inaccurate and outdated stereotypes should be consigned to history.’

The six-episode series is adapted from the bestselling novel by Sarah Pinborough. 

It tells the story of David (Tom Bateman), a psychiatrist caught in a seemingly toxic marriage with his wife, Adele, (Eve Hewson) and an affair with his secretary, Louise (Simona Brown). 

In one scene, a character called Sue – who speaks with an English accent but is played by Scottish actress Georgie Glen – describes David as ‘miserable’, adding: ‘They say that about the Scots, don’t they?’

Louise responds: ‘Stingy, isn’t it?’

Later, after a heated conversation between Louise and David, Sue says: ‘Told you – Scottish. Bad tempered, aren’t they?’  

The series includes Robert Aramayo, a Yorkshireman, playing a Scottish junkie, which some claimed also perpetuated stereotypes. 

Reader tweeted: ‘I think it’s the duty of all Scots to raise this bigotry… to question every time it raises its talentless, passionless, damaged head.’ 

Meanwhile, SNP MP Steven Bonnar, said: ‘We Scots are extremely generous people. Scottish hospitality is truly world renowned.’

In one scene, a character called Sue (left) - who speaks with an English accent but is played by Scottish actress Georgie Glen - describes David as 'miserable', adding: 'They say that about the Scots, don't they?'

In one scene, a character called Sue (left) – who speaks with an English accent but is played by Scottish actress Georgie Glen – describes David as ‘miserable’, adding: ‘They say that about the Scots, don’t they?’

Some viewers were also angry that neither of the two main characters were played by Scots, with Oxford-born Tom Bateman's Scottish accent described as 'scary'

Some viewers were also angry that neither of the two main characters were played by Scots, with Oxford-born Tom Bateman’s Scottish accent described as ‘scary’

Reader said he spoke online with author Sarah Pinborough, who insisted no derogatory remarks about Scots were included in her novel, and that she had no role in the adaptation process. 

Behind Her Eyes follows single mother Louise as she enters world of mind games when she begins an affair David, while also secretly befriending his mysterious wife Adele. 

Louise becomes embroiled in an unconventional love triangle with David and Adele, one that takes a dark and unexpected turn.

While the love triangle unfolds, viewers witness flashbacks to Eve’s time in the mental health facility aged 17, where she is in a relationship with David.

In present day the couple have been married for 10 years and have recently moved to London under suspicious circumstances. 

Netflix has been contacted for comment.   

Behind Her Eyes follows single mother Louise (right) as she enters world of mind games when she begins an affair David, while also secretly befriending his mysterious wife Adele

Behind Her Eyes follows single mother Louise (right) as she enters world of mind games when she begins an affair David, while also secretly befriending his mysterious wife Adele

The series includes Robert Aramayo, a Yorkshireman, playing a Scottish junkie, which some claimed also perpetuated stereotypes

The series includes Robert Aramayo, a Yorkshireman, playing a Scottish junkie, which some claimed also perpetuated stereotypes