Netflix’s upcoming series Apple Cider Vinegar is inspired by the true story of Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson, who falsely claimed to have cured a terminal brain tumor through health and wellness practices.
Bell’s story came to light when it was revealed that she had never been diagnosed with cancer. Nevertheless, she achieved fame by sharing her fabricated journey through social media, mobile apps, and cookbooks.
The six-episode limited series, created by award-winning Australian author Samantha Strauss (Nine Perfect Strangers, Dance Academy), explores the rise of wellness culture, the early influence of Instagram, and It examines the unchecked power of social media in its formative years. .
“It’s interesting to explore how the media uses food as a weapon and how health is both a privilege and an expensive pursuit,” Strauss said via Netflix Tudum.
The series stars Kaitlyn Deaver as Gibson, delivering a convincing Australian accent that Strauss and dialect coach Jenny Kent admire. Alicia Debnam-Carey plays Mila Blake, another influencer promoting food as a cure for cancer, and Aisha Dee co-stars as Chanel, a friend who helps Gibson grow his brand. The ensemble cast includes Tilda Cobham-Harvey, Ashley Zukerman, Susie Porter, Matt Nable, and Mark Coles-Smith.
Apple Cider Vinegar is inspired by the book The Woman Who Fooled the World by journalists Beau Donnelly and Nick Toscano. Strauss, who followed Gibson’s story through reporting for The Age magazine, shot the series in Melbourne and featured locations from the city to the Dandenong Ranges.
Gibson rose to fame in the early 2010s with The Whole Pantry, an app that promotes healthy living and was named Apple’s Best Eating App in 2013. Her claims were later proven to be false, leading to a $410,000 fine for misleading consumers in 2017.
An official release date for the series has not yet been announced. Until then, check out the official trailer below.
