BBC drama The Jetty has sparked more complaints from viewers disgusted over a sickening scene showing a horse being pleasured by a teenager.
The Beeb confirmed viewers lodged official complaints about the drama starring ex-Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman.
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They said in a statement: “We received complaints from viewers unhappy about a scene in this drama.”
In response, the corporation said careful editing avoided “gratuitous” content and appropriate viewer advisories were provided.
In the scene, school girl Amy tells her friend the animal is going to be shot so her family can claim insurance money.
A further scene reveals Amy’s twisted sense of humour, as she leans down to pleasure the horse with her hand for a few seconds before exiting the barn.
Commenting on the script and bizarre scenes, the BBC said: “The Jetty is a post-watershed, detective thriller which also explores power imbalances and troubling behaviour in sexual relationships.
“Amy is a complex character who experiences abusive behaviour but also behaves in an abusive way herself.
“The scene is intended to be shocking and establishes how distorted Amy’s own sexual boundaries have become and how transgressive her behaviour is. The act is implied, and not shown on screen.
“We always aim to make sure that any such scenes are never gratuitous and are filmed and edited in such a way as not to exceed viewer expectations.
“Information is provided to viewers to make them aware of such content where appropriate.”
But fans were disgusted by the script, and called it “gross” and “unneccessary”.
One viewer said: “That scene with the horse was just gross #TheJetty.”
Another agreed, as they penned: “#TheJetty bloody hell. Was there any need for that horse scene. Turned my stomach.
“I’m ready for turning off. No likeable characters.”
A third chimed in: “#thejetty is weird, but I’m worried about that poor lonely horse, tied up in a dump and being sexually abused.”
While a fourth remarked: “That horse scene I have no words what just happened #TheJetty.”
Four episodes of The Jetty landed in iPlayer earlier this month.
Since debuting, the programme has been met with mixed reviews, with some enjoying the slow burn nature.
Others have been less impressed with the pace between present day and the past.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
