Messiah: Netflix Series Cancelled After Allegations Of Anti-Islamic Sentiment
TV thriller Messiah has been cancelled by Netflix after just one season.
The series starred Michelle Monaghan as a CIA agent investigating an enigmatic figure known as Al-Masih, who builds a legion of followers after claiming to be sent to Earth by a higher power. In Islamic eschatology, Al-Masih ad-Dajjal is an evil figure comparable to the Antichrist – whose name translates to “the false messiah, liar, the deceiver” in Arabic.
One of the series’ stars, Wil Traval, confirmed on Instagram that the series would not be returning to the streaming service.
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“It’s a very sad day today,” he wrote. “I have just recieved news from Netflix that there will be no season two of Messiah.”
After the first season debuted in January, there were complaints that the series contained subtextual anti-Islamic sentiment, with the Royal Film Commission of Jordan (where parts of the series were shot), even calling on Netflix to ban the series from its country.
In a statement, Netflix said: “Messiah is a work of fiction. It is not based on any one character, figure or religion. All Netflix shows feature ratings and information to help members make their own decisions about what’s right for them and their families.”
While the allegations of religious insensitivity may have played a part in the series’ cancellation, it has also been suggested that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made international filming schedules much harder to co-ordinate – which may be the key factor in the streaming service’s decision not to renew .
Netflix Cancels Messiah After Just One Season Following Major Islamophobia Backlash
NETFLIX has cancelled Messiah after just one season amid backlash about 'anti-islamic' sentiments in the show.The thriller followed Eva Gellar (Michelle Monaghan) investigating a mysterious figure Al Masih (Mehdi Dehbi), who had gathered a legion of followers after proclaiming to have been sent down by God to save humanity.
Wil travel, one of the series' stars, has taken to Instagram to confirm that the show would not be returning for another season.
He wrote on Instagram: ''It's a very sad day today. I have just received news from Netflix that there will be no season two of Messiah.'
'‘I wanted to say thank you to all the fans thank you for your support and love. I wish things were different.’'
Deadline reported that Messiah featured a large cast and since the series was shot in various locations, operating through the coronavirus pandemic would be extremely difficult.
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Messiah has been cancelled after one seasonCredit: Netflix 
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The series received backlash for being IslamophobicCredit: Netflix
However, the news of the show's cancellation may actually be good news for those who have criticised it for being anti-Islamic.
It's release last year led to the Royal Film Commission of Jordan having the programme banned from airing on Netflix.
The series was actually partly shot in Jordan, seeming to have followed filming guidelines, but it turned out that the series' narrative was too controversial.
The anger was at Debhi's character, whose name is too similar to an evil figure in Islamic eschatology called Al-Masih ad-Dajjal, who was compared to the Antichrist.
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The Royal Commission of Film in Jordan made a petition to have the series bannedCredit: Netflix
Al-Masih's aim was to cross 2000 Palestinian Syrians over the border into Israel.
When the series aired, over 4000 people signed a petition to get the show banned or face a boycott as a result.
Netflix responded to the Royal Commission of Jordan and explained: ''Messiah is a work of fiction.
"It is not based on any one character, figure or religion.
"All Netflix shows feature ratings and information to help members make their own decisions about what’s right for them and their families.’'
Messiah is available to stream on Netflix.
Netflix releases trailer for original cult thriller series Messiah with Michelle MonaghanNetflix Axes Controversial ‘Messiah’ Series Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Netflix series Messiah, a political-religious thriller which courted controversy across the Middle East among Muslim viewers, has been canceled after just one season due to difficulties filming amid the global coronavirus crisis, actor Tomer Sisley announced on his Instagram page.
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I am sorry for all the Messiah fans over the world. Times are crazy. Season 2 was supposed to take place in Rome and we would all have loved to pursue this wonderful adventure, but as we know, times are crazy right now... Season 2 is not happening. Thank you for your support, thank you for your letters, thank you for your passion. I had a blast interpreting this part. Aviram will stay with me for very long. Thank you for your love. I promise we will come back with something at least as exciting as this wonderful show once this worldwide virus is beaten. Love you. #michaelpetroni I am very proud to know you!!! James McTeighe and Kate Woods, thank you for your trust and talent. @michellemonaghan @johnortiz718 @sound_speed @wiltraval @stefanialavieowen @sayyidelalami @therealmpagehamilton #mehdidehbi #philipbakerhall @fares_landoulsi Realy loved working with you guys. See you soon... La saison 2 de Messiah devait se tourner à Rome... Les temps sont dingues et nous empêchent de la tourner cet été. Elle n’existera donc malheureusement pas et nous en sommes tous extrêmement peinés. Merci à tous les fans pour vos messages, vos lettres, et votre passion. Cette série originale n’a laissé personne indiffèrent, moi le premier, et j’y ai pris un plaisir immense. Aviram restera longtemps avec moi. Je vous promets d’autres projets au moins aussi intenses dès que nous serons sortis de cette situation mondiale dramatique. Bon courage à tous dans votre confinement. Le plus important maintenant c’est : #restezChezVous MERCI MERCI MERCI A TOUS!!!!! ❤️
A post shared by Tomer Sisley (@tomersisley) on Mar 25, 2020 at 9:48pm PDT
The question of whether the character – played by Belgian actor Mehdi Dehbi – is the genuine Messiah, a nefarious political agent or simply a trickster is at the heart of the show's premise.
The first trailer for "Messiah" drew ridicule from some Muslim viewers, who noted that the name "Al-Masih" is used in Islamic theology by Dajjal, a false prophet comparable to the Antichrist.
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