Netflix Lunatics’ Chris Lilley responds to claims he used blackface in new series

Chris Lilley's latest series Lunatics is receiving a lot of mixed reviews.

The series some are obsessed with while others are branding as "funny as haemorrhoids" is also receiving a lot of backlash over claims that he uses blackface while portraying the character of Jana - a dog physic with a notably large afro.

Its 100% blackface, 100% an Afro and 100% racist af Chris Lilley is tone deaf and not funny

— Leila (@blueshellme) April 22, 2019

However, Chris Lilley isn't here for the hate and while speaking to the Australian Guardian he said he's "not trying to do anything that's trendy at the moment" and added that his main goal is to create cleverly "layered" characters that are insane but also totally relatable. Speaking on the new characters from Jana to Quentin and Keith Dick.

"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.'"

But this series isn't the first time Chris Lilley has come under fire for using blackface, the 44-year-old has previously been slammed for his characters Jonah From Tonga and rapper S.mouse where he darkens his skin to play both. Lunatics season one is now available on Netflix.