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Allegations Of 'Toxic Behavior' Against Umbrella Academy Creator Steve Blackman Explored
Read on to know the serious allegations made by former writers and support staffers against The Umbrella Academy Showrunner Steve Blackman.
Trigger Warning: The article contains references to rape and abuse.
The Umbrella Academy is one of the well-known shows on Netflix. The show has been getting a lot of attention lately due to the allegations against its showrunner, Steve Blackman. The allegations are made by multiple people who were writers and support staffers. Read ahead to know what allegations were made against the creator of the series.
What did Steve Blackman do?
As reported by Rolling Stone, 12 former writers and support staffers who worked on all four seasons of the series, have recounted their experience of working on the show as one of the hardest periods of their careers, in an HR (Human Resources) complaint from January 2023.
According to the report, the HR complaint mentioned that people who have made allegations wish to remain anonymous. In the HR complaint, the mentioned people claimed that the showrunner created a hostile work environment. As per the publication's report, it was also alleged in the complaint that the showrunner would use the written material but did not credit the person who had written it.
The complaint stated that Blackman allegedly fired a female writer because she got pregnant and also an assistant because they accidentally got his medical information after his visit to the pharmacy.
As per the report, in the January 2023 HR complaint, Blackman allegedly had, “toxic, bullying, manipulative, and retaliatory behavior.”
The claims also include him pitting the staffers against each other, fostering a climate of mistrust and fear. Blackman also allegedly made sexist, homophobic, and transphobic comments as well. A male writer shared that the show creator would also make comments on their bodies.
A writer and an actress made two additional complaints against him, as per the report by the publication. Speaking about their experience while working on the show The Umbrella Academy, an individual said to the outlet, “one of the worst jobs I've ever had in my life.”
Steve Blackman’s spokesperson denies allegations made against him
A spokesperson for the showrunner stated that Blackman oversaw thousands of crew members, actors, and writers for over six years and four seasons, during which time The Umbrella Academy developed into a beloved television series with a devoted fanbase, enthralling stories and dedicated staff that made it all possible.
The spokesperson added, “These allegations from a handful of disgruntled employees are completely false and outrageous, and in no way reflect the collaborative, respectful, and successful working environment Mr Blackman has cultivated."
Meanwhile, for the unversed, Blackman was cleared of the allegations in an investigation led by UCP (Universal Content Productions). However, as per the outlet's report, many who made allegations against the showrunner said they were never contacted to discuss their experiences.
Disclaimer: If you know someone who is struggling with abuse, please reach out and report about it. There are several helplines available for the same.
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