Chris Lilley has been pictured for the first time since Netflix announced his more controversial shows had been removed from the streaming platform amid the Black Lives Matter movement.
On Wednesday, the 45-year-old Australian comedian was seen drinking beer at a trendy bar in Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
The Ja’mie: Private School Girl star appeared rather glum as he sipped his drink, scrolled through his phone and stared into the distance.
Feeling low? Chris Lilley has been pictured for the first time since Netflix announced his more controversial shows had been removed from the streaming platform amid the Black Lives Matter movement. Pictured at a bar in Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Wednesday
The world-famous funnyman blended in with the crowd in an unassuming taupe sweater, black jeans and a knitted beanie.
Later on, Chris brightened up when he was joined by some friends.
Looking more animated, he chatted over the table while gesturing with his hands.
Something on your mind? The Ja’mie: Private School Girl star appeared rather glum as he sipped his drink, scrolled through his phone and stared into the distance
Low-key: Attempting to blend in with the crowd, the world-famous funnyman wore an unassuming taupe sweater, black jeans and a knitted beanie.
That’s better! Chris finally pepped up when he was joined by some friends for a round of beers
On Wednesday, Deadline reported that four of Chris’ shows – Jonah from Tonga, Angry Boys, Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes – had been removed from Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.
In the past, those shows raised questions about racial discrimination as several of the characters were portrayed in blackface and brownface.
On Angry Boys, he portrayed African-American rapper S.mouse and performed a song called Squashed N****.
Something on your mind? Looking animated, Chris energetically chatted over the table while motioning with his hands
Removed: On Wednesday, Deadline revealed four of Chris’ shows – Jonah From Tonga, Angry Boys, Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes – have been taken down from their services in Australia and New Zealand
Controversial: In the past, those shows raised questions about racial discrimination as several of the characters were portrayed in blackface and brownface. On Angry Boys, he portrayed African-American rapper S.mouse (pictured) and performed a song called ‘Squashed N****’
In Jonah from Tonga, he painted his face brown and wore a curly wig to portray troubled teen Jonah Takalua.
Meanwhile, in We Can Be Heroes, Chris played Chinese physics student Ricky Wong.
Despite the removal of four of his shows, Chris will still have two series available on Netflix: Ja’mie: Private School Girl and Lunatics, in which he dons brownface to play ‘dog whisperer’ Jana Melhoopen-Jonks.
Raising questions: For Jonah From Tonga, he painted his face brown and wore a curly wig to portray troubled teen Jonah Takalua
Still streaming: Despite the removal of four of his shows, Chris will still have a couple of series available on Netflix – Ja’mie: Private School Girl (pictured)
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Princess Pictures, which produced the shows for the ABC, for comment.
Chris has previously defended his style of comedy. Last year he told The Weekend Australian: ‘I’m not trying to do the thing that is trendy at the moment.’
The award-winning comedian went on to say he would continue making ‘clever, layered’ characters.
Defending his controversial portrayals, he added: ‘When you meet them, you think “I know that type of person”, but then there is a twist, something crazy.’
‘[In] the end you think, “Actually, I kinda relate to this, she just did that thing that I do everyday.”‘
Available: Lunatics, in which he dons brownface to play dog whisperer Jana Melhoopen-Jonks (pictured), will also still be available on Netflix
Story telling: Chris has previously defended his style of comedy, last year he told The Weekend Australian : ‘I’m not trying to do the thing that is trendy at the moment’. The award-winning comedian went on to say he would continue making ‘clever, layered’ characters