Viewers conflicted over Channel 4’s controversial jihadi drama The State

Channel 4’s new drama The State has divided viewers.

The C4 drama – which follows a group of British Muslims who have been radicalised and go to Syria and join Islamic State – had been controversial even before it launched on Sunday night.

Writer and director Peter Kosminsky defended his reasons for humanising IS fighters, and argued that The State would help people to understand the nuance of a complex issue.

He had said that the C4 drama would “confront the fact that terrible things are done by people who are not inherently evil”, although many viewers criticised the broadcaster for airing the drama in the wake of last week’s terror attack in Barcelona.

Kinda think @Channel4 #thestate should have been delayed in light of recent events. #badtaste

— Niki and Dylan (@NikiYAndDylan) August 20, 2017

Also distasteful to air so soon after #Barcelona & #Turku attacks as many still without answers on whether loved ones are safe. #TheState https://t.co/nId97OYGLG

— Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Melton (@aliciakearns) August 20, 2017

Channel 4 showing a glorifying image of joining Daesh after we hear today a 7 year old boy was killed by them. Sickening #thestate

— Louis (@LouisGibson97) August 20, 2017

hours after the atrocity in #Barcelona you'd think Ch4 would have the decency to scrap jihad glorifying drama #thestate but then again……

— Andrew (@theorphanmoon68) August 20, 2017

Some felt the drama was “glamourising” radicalisation…

Spent 25mins watching #TheState and its literally glamourizing ISIS, WTF! Were you thinking @Channel4?

— Cry Partisan (@CryPartisan) August 20, 2017

Looking forward to C4's next commission "Heroes of the IRA" & "The SS – why it wasn't their fault". Bravo ????#TheState

— Moe Mumbles (@careful_now0) August 20, 2017

Others, meanwhile, praised The State and argued that the series was “eye opening”…

Very brave of @Channel4 to make #thestate many disagree with screening, but in order to tackle difficult issue, first we must understand

— Louise Benson (@loubenson32) August 20, 2017

Really shocked by how many people are saying @Channel4 have glamorised ISIS in #TheState. They must be watching something different to me.

— Nix (@ColourMeNix) August 20, 2017

However, some viewers who did enjoy it added that it would have been more useful to have a drama which delved into the past of those who are radicalised, to try and find out what drove them to make this decision in the first place…

Thought #TheState was compelling & well researched. Would've liked to have seen more of the character's UK lives & why they decided to leave

— Sean Arbuthnot (@Sean_Arbuthnot_) August 20, 2017

I think it would have been better if we saw their lives BEFORE they joined, find out what made them want to travel in first place #thestate

— Maaiysa (@Maaiysa) August 20, 2017

The State continues on Channel 4 at 10pm tonight