Netflix accused of ‘whitewashing’ its Winx Club reboot by disappointed fans

Netflix has been accused of “whitewashing” a live action adaptation of popular cartoon Winx Club through their casting choices.

The animated series, which was picked up from Italian television by Nickelodeon in 2011, featured fairy warriors who were Black, Asian and Latina.

But the actors fronting Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga appear to be majority white in a new advert.

The character of Musa, whose inspiration was reportedly Lucy Liu, is being played by Elisha Applebaum.

Flora, whose inspiration may have been Jennifer Lopez, is being played by Eliot Salt – and her name has been changed to Terra.

On top of this, fans were unhappy that the fashion choices were “lacking” and that the character of Tecna had been erased completely.

One wrote “this is Riverdale with fairies”: indeed, the series is intended to be “edgier and darker” than the original cartoon according to its creator Iginio Straffi and will be watched by an older audience. 

Netflix has been contacted for comment on these criticisms. If they respond, we’ll let you know.