Australian comedian and LGBTQ+ icon Hannah Gadsby is set to return to Netflix with their third comedy special titled “Something Special”. The special is directed by Gadsby’s partner, Jenney Shamash, and is set to premiere on May 9th.
Gadsby, who uses they/them pronouns, rose to global fame after their groundbreaking stand-up show “Nanette” in 2018. Their second show, “Douglas”, premiered on Netflix in 2020. In their newest special, Gadsby takes on married life and other hilarious topics.
The special was filmed in September 2021 at the Sydney Opera House, after an 18-month tour that saw Gadsby perform “Body of Work” 110 times in 55 cities across 16 countries. In an Instagram post, Gadsby expressed excitement about sharing the new special with audiences, calling it a “feel good show”.
But the road to this latest Netflix deal was not without controversy. Gadsby publicly called out Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos on Instagram last year, after comedian Dave Chappelle’s transphobic remarks in his own Netflix special. Gadsby told Sarandos, “F__k you and your amoral algorithm cult”.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Gadsby explained their frustration with the streaming giant’s algorithm and how it can elevate “overpaid transphobic s__t” alongside their own work. However, Gadsby also stressed the importance of continuing to create and make a stand in their own way.
With “Something Special”, Gadsby continues to use their platform to bring attention to LGBTQ+ issues and challenge the status quo in the world of comedy. Fans of the comedian can mark their calendars for May 9th, when the special drops on Netflix.