'I'm not trying to do the thing that's trendy': Chris Lilley hits back at critics who accused him of doing 'blackface' and mocking minorities in new Netflix comedy series Lunatics
Comedian Chris Lilley, 44, has hit back at heavy criticism of his controversial latest Netflix series, Lunatics.
Speaking in The Weekend Australian on Sunday, The We Can Can Be Heroes actor defended his 'mockumentry'-style comedy, insisting he won't give in to naysayers.
Referencing emerging brands of comedy like Hannah Gadsby's furious left-wing rants, Chris said: 'I'm not trying to do the thing that is trendy at the moment.'
'I'm not trying to do the thing that's trendy': Comedian Chris Lilley has hit back at critics who accused him of doing 'blackface' and mocking minorities in his latest Netflix series Lunatics
The award-winning thespian went on to say he would continue making 'clever, layered' characters - which is what he has done in the past.
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Defending his character portrayals, he said: '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'.'
![Layered: '[In] the end you think 'Actually, I kinda relate to this, she just did that thing that I do everyday': Chris said his multi-layered characters show 'everyone is a little bit weird'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/28/11/12814850-6968627-_I_m_not_trying_to_do_the_thing_that_s_trendy_Comedian_Chris_Lil-m-5_1556447382860.jpg)
Layered: '[In] the end you think 'Actually, I kinda relate to this, she just did that thing that I do everyday': Chris said his multi-layered characters show 'everyone is a little bit weird'
He went on to say the moral of Lunatics is that 'everyone is a little bit weird', which he feels the show cleverly highlights.
One particular character, Jana, is an exotic-looking 'lesbian pet psychic to the stars', who has Afro hair, tanned skin and speaks in a South African accent.
Prior to Lunatics appearing on Netflix, the actor was slammed for what many fans saw as performing in 'Blackface' on the show.
Mocking? In Lunatics, Chris has a number of off-the-wall characters including former adult film star Joyce, who suffers from an array of psychological disorders
Outraged: A number of Twitter users vented their outrage over Chris' characters
Critics flocked to Twitter to vent outrage, with some even threatening to boycott the series earlier this month.
'This is kinda embarrassing. What year is it?' one user tweeted.
'We just gonna casually ignore all the blackface he's done in his previous shows and is CLEARLY doing in this one,' another wrote.
Controversy: In 2007 he played Tongan teenager, Jonah Takalua (centre), in the internationally acclaimed sitcom, Summer Heights High
Another user referred critics to media watchdog Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Blackface refers to the darkening of one's skin to portray a caricature of a black person, which links back to minstrel shows and slavery.
In 2007 he played Tongan teenager, Jonah Takalua, in the internationally acclaimed sitcom, Summer Heights High.
He also played African American rapper, S.mouse (born Shwayne Jnr.), on spinoff show Angry Boys, while donning full blackface.
At the time, there were only a few complaints.
History of blackface: He also played African American rapper, S.mouse (born Shwayne Jnr.), on spin-off show Angry Boys, while donning full blackface
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