Take That on Netflix: Why Robbie Williams and Jason Orange are not in the documentary
Their absence is very noticeableTake That‘s brand new Netflix documentary is set to leave one big question on everyone’s lips – why are Robbie Williams and Jason Orange not in it?
The iconic 90s boyband are the latest subjects to come under the Netflix microscope, giving fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Back in the day Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald – together with Robbie and Jason – were hot property.
The five-piece were topping the charts, had girls falling at their feet and were arguably the biggest boyband the UK had seen since The Beatles.
Netflix’s new self-title documentary, Take That, tells the story of the lads’ rise to fame and the highs and lows of their career.
But why is it missing two vital members of the group?
Netflix’s Take That: What is it about?
Take That drops on Netflix today (Tuesday January 27, 2026).
The show does technically feature Robbie and Jason, as they both appear in archive footage of the band. But there is no new talking head contributions from the pair, unlike Gary, Mark and Howard.
Fans can reminisce about Take That’s heyday, as they toured the country – and the world – with millions of girls screaming in their wake.
The show is packed with behind the scenes footage that they shot themselves on a camcorder (remember those?!), as they chart the good days and the bad.
Robbie’s shock exit was the biggest moment to rock That That. Robbie walked out in 1997 and shattered hearts globally in the process. The helpline, anyone?
Gary, Mark, Howard and Jason weren’t overly thrilled either.
The Netflix documentary will look back on this period and how the band dealt with the aftermath. Fans will also be reminded of the day the remaining four members called it quits less than a year later.
Yes, the rumours were true.
Take That was not over, however. They have since come Back for Good and are still performing together today.
But not as a four or five piece.
Why isn’t Robbie Williams in Netflix’s Take That?
TVGuide reached out to Netflix for an official comment on why Robbie and Jason don’t feature in Take That, but they did not respond.
The reason is pretty self-explanatory when you think about it, though.
Robbie is no longer in Take That and has already spoken in depth about his years in the band in his own Netflix documentary.
In November 2023, Robbie Williams dropped onto the streaming service. The four-part mini series looked at Robbie’s own 25-year career in the spotlight, including his rise to fame in Take That.
Robbie spoke about why he left Take That in 1997, the bad blood he had with bandmate Gary, and how he eventually rejoined them for their Progress Tour and album in 2010.
He said in the show: “There’s a reason why I left Take That so angry. My anger has dispersed and gone now and all that’s left is four lads in a room. I realised very quickly that they love me and I love them.”
Robbie has said his bit. It is very much Gary, Mark and Howard’s turn to have their say now.
What about Jason Orange? Where is he now?
Jason shocked fans in 2014 when he decided to quit showbiz for good. It appears he had reached his limit after 20 years in the public eye.
In a statement, he said: “I want to start by saying how proud I am of what we have achieved together over the years. I have spent some of the best years of my life with Take That and I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey, including my band mates, who I feel are like brothers to me.”
But Jason added that he was done with touring and dedicating his life to the band and writing music.
Jason has stayed true to his word. Unlike Robbie, he has never been tempted to rejoin his Take That bandmates in the past 12 years.
Jason has also managed to keep a very low profile and was only photographed for the first time since 2014 last summer. He was spotted as he took a stroll in Manchester in the pouring rain.
‘Off grid’
Howard even said in the early days of Jason’s exit that he had gone “off grid”. At the time, he said Jason didn’t reply to any emails or phone calls.
According to reports, he now runs a property business with his friend, Celtic football star Neil Lennon.
And by 2023, Howard admitted there had been some contact.
“I don’t know where he is. He’s difficult to get hold of, and I believe that’s the way he wants it,” Howard explained.
“When an album is coming out he’ll send an email saying, ‘I wish you all the success in the world’. And then the next day you try replying to it and it’s a no-reply email address.
“Wherever he is, I really hope he is happy.”
Being front and centre of a massive Netflix documentary really doesn’t sound like Jason’s thing these days!
Mystery solved.
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