Television viewers threatened to switch off drama Brexit: The Uncivil War – because it was too “depressing”.
The programme about the 2016 referendum campaign, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Vote Leave strategist Dominic Cummings, aired on Channel 4 on Monday night.
While many people thought the programme was done brilliantly, some thought the subject matter did not make for a pleasant evening’s viewing.
One person posted on Twitter: “I’d watch #BrexitTheUncivilWar but good as it is, it’s just so cripplingly depressing.”
“Not sure watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar is a good idea,” said another.
“It’s bloody depressing. Made my headache worse and I’m struggle not to chuck things at the TV.”
Not sure watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar is a good idea. It’s bloody depressing. Made my headache worse and I’m struggle not to chuck things at the TV.
— Nara Hodge🔥🔥🔥 (@Nara_Hodge) January 7, 2019
“I really can’t watch this. Horrifying,” posted another.
I really can’t watch this. Horrifying. #BrexitTheUncivilWar
— Sharon Ward (@ShazzaB) January 7, 2019
One viewer said: “Think I’m gonna have to turn off #BrexitTheUncivilWar.
“Every decision, every choice, every fork in the referendum road that couldn’t been taken differently. When you know the outcome it’s just 2 hrs of ‘if only’.”
Think I'm gonna have to turn off #BrexitTheUncivilWar. Every decision, every choice, every fork in the referendum road that couldn't been taken differently. When you know the outcome it's just 2 hrs of 'if only'.
— Ol' Square Eyes (@olsquareeyes) January 7, 2019
“Turning off #BrexitTheUncivilWar as it’s making me sad. Ignorance is bliss eh,” tweeted one viewer.
Turning off #BrexitTheUncivilWar as it’s making me sad. Ignorance is bliss eh.
— t o m (@td_rules) January 7, 2019
Others likened the drama to a horror film.
“Sorry #TheShining, I’ve now decided #BrexitTheUncivilWar is the greatest horror movie of all time (if even 5% of its plot is true),” posted one.
Sorry #TheShining, I’ve now decided #BrexitTheUncivilWar is the greatest horror movie of all time (if even 5% of its plot is true). #Brexshit #unbelievable
— Moj Taylor (@mojtaylor) January 7, 2019
“This is a horror film,” said another.
This is a horror film. #BrexitTheUncivilWar
— Nick Meadows (@nrmeadows) January 7, 2019
There were also viewers who felt it was not the right time for the programme.
One tweeted: “I won’t lie…..this all feels a little too soon!!”
I won't lie…..this all feels a little too soon!! #BrexitTheUncivilWar
— tippytupps (@tippytupps) January 7, 2019
“I’m watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar and decided that it’s too early to dramatise it,” said another.
I’m watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar and decided that it’s too early to dramatise it. Cumberbatch does a very good job but I really wanted to see #RikMayall to play Dom. If you’ve seen his drama such as In the Red and Rik Mayall presents…, you know what I mean.
— Miki Inamura (@whiteanklesocks) January 7, 2019
Brexit: The Uncivil War, written by James Graham, also stars Rory Kinnear, John Heffernan and Liz White.