Dame Helen Mirren: ‘I love Netflix, but f*** Netflix!’

So it seems Dame Helen Mirren isn’t a huge fan of Netflix.

Speaking at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to promote her new film The Good Liar, the Oscar-winner was apparently met by thunderous applause as she yelled: “I love Netflix, but f*** Netflix!”

“There is nothing like sitting in the cinema,” the star added.

Mirren, who denied reports she would ever play the Queen in Netflix series The Crown last year, made the comments as a row between cinema exhibitors and the streaming giant continues.

Netflix, which made its name with TV series including House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black, has been at odds with cinema owners since signalling its intention to move into films.

Its critically acclaimed black-and-white epic Roma won three Oscars earlier this year, as well as BAFTA and Golden Globe awards.

But many cinemas refuse to show Netflix films as they do not honour the traditional 12-week window between theatrical distribution and home video releasing.

Netflix, which as of January had 139 million subscribers around the world, has repeatedly defended its business model.

Following reports that director Steven Spielberg was criticising its inclusion at the Oscars, the streaming service hit back to say it allows people who have no access to the cinema a chance to watch new films.

We love cinema. Here are some things we also love:

-Access for people who can’t always afford, or live in towns without, theaters
-Letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time
-Giving filmmakers more ways to share art

These things are not mutually exclusive.

— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) March 4, 2019

The director says its products should be competing for Emmys, which recognise excellence in television.

The US Justice Department this week warned the Academy that any attempts to bar Netflix from the Oscars may breach competition laws.