Multiple Neil Gaiman projects cancelled after eight women accuse author of abuse

Neil Gaiman is one of Britain's most prolific writers, with many of his science fiction and fantasy stories being picked up by studios and adapted into television series or theatrical productions. However, after multiple women made allegations of sexual assault, several of his projects have been paused, rewritten, or completely canceled, casting a shadow over his career. This has prompted a wider discussion about the ethical considerations of supporting artists accused of misconduct.

A New Zealand woman has filed three civil lawsuits accusing Gaiman of repeatedly sexually assaulting her while she worked as his family's nanny. Scarlett Pavlovich filed the lawsuits this week in federal courts in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York against Gaiman and his estranged wife, Amanda Palmer. Ms. Pavlovich publicly identified herself in an interview with New York Magazine, which published an article in January detailing allegations of assault, abuse, and coercion made by eight women. Previously, the allegations of four of these women were aired in a Tortoise Media podcast last July. The lawsuits aim to seek justice and accountability for the alleged harm caused.

Following the publication of the New York Magazine article, Gaiman released a statement in January. "I am far from perfect, but I have never had non-consensual sex with anyone. Absolutely not," Gaiman wrote in a statement. "Some of the awful stories being told now are simply not true, and others are distorted beyond recognition of what actually happened." Representatives for Gaiman and Palmer did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the Associated Press. The legal proceedings will likely involve a thorough examination of the evidence and testimonies.

Last month, publisher Dark Horse Comics announced that it would no longer be working with Gaiman. "Dark Horse takes the allegations against Neil Gaiman seriously, and we will no longer be publishing his work," the publisher said in a statement posted on X. "Confirmation that the Anansi Boys comic series and collection has been canceled." Gaiman has worked with numerous publishers throughout his career, including Bloomsbury, Penguin, Hachette, DC Comics, and Titan, but these publishers have yet to comment. This decision reflects the growing trend of companies severing ties with individuals facing serious accusations.

A stage adaptation of "Coraline" was canceled in January, with producers stating that it was "impossible to continue" following the allegations against Gaiman. The stage version of Gaiman's novel, which was adapted into a film in 2009, was scheduled to premiere at the Leeds Playhouse on April 11. "We have made the decision that our production of Coraline will not proceed," the production company said in a statement. "After careful consideration, we feel that it is impossible to continue with the production in the context of the allegations that have been made against its original author." The statement added that those who had purchased tickets would be notified directly. The cancellation highlights the significant impact of the allegations on Gaiman's creative projects.

Streaming giant Netflix announced this week that "The Sandman" would not have any subsequent series after the second season airs later this year. Showrunner Allan Heinberg said in a statement that the decision to only air two seasons of the series was made three years ago. "The Sandman series has always been focused on the story of Dream, and as far back as 2022, when we looked at the material of Dream left in the comics, we knew we only had enough story for one more season," Mr. Heinberg said. "We are incredibly grateful to Netflix for getting the team back together and giving us the time and resources to do a faithful adaptation in a way that we hope will surprise and delight the loyal readers of the comics, as well as fans of our show." Despite the show's popularity, the creative team felt they had exhausted the source material.

According to Variety, the third season of the Amazon Prime series "Good Omens" will only consist of one 90-minute episode, and Gaiman is not involved. It was previously announced that the show's third season would be its last, and the series is adapted from the novel of the same name by Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. When "Good Omens" premiered on Amazon Prime in 2019, Gaiman was credited as the series' creator, executive producer, and showrunner. According to Variety, Gaiman is no longer listed as one of the executive producers for the final episode. This change in involvement suggests a potential distancing from the project amidst the allegations.

Netflix canceled its series "Dead Boy Detectives" after just one season. The show, which is adapted from Gaiman's comic book of the same name, is set in the same fictional universe as "The Sandman." According to Variety, the show was canceled in August, just four months after it first aired. It has not been confirmed whether the cancellation is related to the allegations against Gaiman that were first reported in July. The timing of the cancellation raises questions about its connection to the controversy surrounding the author.

Disney's film adaptation of "The Graveyard Book" has been paused. According to IndieWire, which first reported the news, the production has been put on hold for a variety of reasons. The film has yet to announce casting, and the film is adapted from Gaiman's 2008 young adult novel, although Marc Forster was expected to direct. The pause in production adds to the list of Gaiman's projects facing uncertainty in the wake of the allegations.