Afflicted (TV series)

Controversy

The series faced criticism for framing chronic illnesses as psychosomatic or psychiatric conditions. HuffPost’s Caitlin Flynn stated it “failed the chronic illness community.” Several cast members later spoke out against the show and its editing. A petition signed by physicians, scientists, filmmakers, and writers—including Sini Anderson, Jennifer Brea, Mario R. Capecchi, Ronald W. Davis, Lena Dunham, Maya Dusenbery, H. Craig Heller, Judith Heumann, Porochista Khakpour, Deborah Hoffmann, Monica Lewinsky, Abby Norman, Meghan O'Rourke, Frances Reid, and Maysoon Zayid—asked Netflix to remove the series, citing misrepresentation, questionable tactics, and medical and scientific inaccuracies.

In 2019, seven participants sued Netflix and the producers for defamation, false-light invasion of privacy, unjust enrichment, and fraud over their on-screen portrayal. Netflix sought dismissal, arguing the participants had signed releases. Both the trial court and an appeals court denied that request, allowing the case to proceed. The appellate panel unanimously ruled the releases unenforceable because the participants had been deceived and pressured into waiving their defamation rights. The lawsuit was settled in 2023, with the settlement’s terms kept confidential.