Killing Eve has been accused of ‘queerbaiting’ by viewers (Picture: BBC)

Killing Eve has been accused of ‘queerbaiting’ by viewers in its second season, following comments made by star Sandra Oh.

The show’s second season, which releases in the UK on Saturday 8 June, continues the ‘will they, won’t they’ romance teases between deadly assassin Villanelle and MI5 security officer Eve Polastri.

The first season concluded with Eve and Villanelle sprawled out on a bed, as the former lured her in with flirty advances before stabbing the killer in the stomach.

With the second season already released in the US, however, some viewers have criticised the show for ‘queerbaiting’ this character dynamic – a term which refers to a show marketing an LGBT romance to attract an LGBT audience without exploring it properly on-screen.


Jodie Comer plays assassin Villanelle (Picture: BBC)

The criticisms have been sparked by a recent interview with star Sandra Oh, who plays Eve, who dismissed the teased romance by saying it’s not a ‘focus or message’ for the show.



Speaking to Gay Times, Sandra said: ‘You guys are tricky because you want to make it into something… but it just isn’t.

‘That’s also why I think sexuality and discovery of the wider reaches of sexuality is the theme of the show – why it’s interesting to people. It’s not one thing or another.’

With recent marketing material revolved around them potentially becoming a couple, some viewers have picked fault over the issue.

#KillingEve has been added to the list of shows that queerbait. i haven't watched it yet, but i'm pissed. standing with everyone who feels the same way. this is disappointing. — kyle 🌘 (@fasterthanlexa) June 4, 2019

KILLING EVE ?? QUEERBAIT MUCH ?? pic.twitter.com/gXhzuELqdd — mourning dany (@harleysdcivy) June 5, 2019

Hey, @KillingEve, a little piece of advice on treating your gay fans (aka the ones that brought you where you are):

Don’t queerbait. You are welcome. Bye. — Vanessa Meseguer (@VanessaMeseguer) June 4, 2019

if what Sandra said is true then killing eve really is queerbait. all of the advertisements and promos used villaneve to promote the show, calling them a couple, pictures showing them almost kissing etc, so to say that it's not ever happening is absolutely disgusting — Catarina 🏳‍🌈 (@softmoongay) June 4, 2019

killing eve confirmed queerbait i can't have one good thing in my life — playable kaguya (@topgirI) June 4, 2019

Metro.co.uk has reached out to BBC America for comment.

Killing Eve returns on Saturday 8 June on BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 9.15pm.

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