A new report claims showrunner Steve Blackman created a toxic work environment on the set of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, as fans get ready for the fourth and final season, debuting August 8.
Blackman, who created the series with Jeremy Slater, based on the Dark Horse Comics series of the same name by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba, was accused of bullying and creating an environment that discriminated against women.
The allegations come from 12 staffers who worked on the Netflix series for all four seasons, according to the Rolling Stone report, which also obtained an HR complaint.
The complaint was filed in early 2023 and an investigation was launched by Universal Content Productions (UCP), which produces the show that spring, which ultimately cleared Blackman, though many sources claim the investigation was not entirely comprehensive.
While Netflix publicists were contacted for a comment on the story, which went unanswered, Blackman issued a statement were he denies all of the allegations.
A new report claims showrunner Steve Blackman created a toxic work environment on the set of Netflix ‘s The Umbrella Academy, as fans get ready for the fourth and final season, debuting August 8
The allegations come from 12 staffers who worked on the Netflix series for all four seasons, according to the Rolling Stone report, which also obtained an HR complaint.
The report reveals that Blackman hired a female writing team, one of whom was pregnant, with the pregnant writer taking maternity leave one month into the 20-week gig and the other continuing her work in the writers room.
That writer returned a month before her contract had ended, and while the rest of the room was extended another 10 weeks to finish the season, the female writing team was not extended.
The HR complaint alleged that Blackman felt, ‘ripped off’ and claimed he didn’t know the writer was pregnant when he hired her.
‘He told me he fired them because one was pregnant and didn’t tell him,’ an unspecified writer said.
Others reportedly were fired or left the show under dubious circumstances, claiming their firings were in retaliation for certain happenings.
One support staffer was allegedly fired for not telling Blackman details about a personal conversation and a personal assistant dismissed after accidentally receiving Blackman’s prescription information.
Blackman denied any retaliation claims and said the female writing team were dismissed, ‘solely based on performance and budget.’
Other allegations detailed in the 2023 HR complaint include Blackman insulting them in private after complimenting them in public, publicly praising their ideas but giving them no credit and belittling tactics.
One writer claimed that they got a phone call telling them not to take this job but they ended up taking it anyway.
The report reveals that Blackman hired a female writing team, one of whom was pregnant, with the pregnant writer taking maternity leave one month into the 20-week gig.
‘He told me he fired them because one was pregnant and didn’t tell him,’ an unspecified writer said
He was also said to make, ‘sexist, homophobic, and transphobic’ remarks throughout the show’s run.
A pair of Season 4 writers also emerged victorious in a Writers Guild of America dispute where Blackman tried to give himself a sole teleplay credit
He was also said to make, ‘sexist, homophobic, and transphobic’ remarks throughout the show’s run.
When an investigation was finally launched in 2023, ‘a majority’ of people who were named in the complaint were never contacted, though it still cleared Blackman.
A pair of Season 4 writers also emerged victorious in a Writers Guild of America dispute where Blackman tried to give himself a sole teleplay credit.
Blackman issued a statement to Rolling Stone, stating the claims were, ‘entirely untrue” and “completely absurd.’
‘Over six years and four seasons overseeing thousands of crew, actors, and writers, Steve Blackman led The Umbrella Academy to become a beloved series with devoted fans, enthralling stories, and a dedicated team making it all possible,’ the statement from Blackman’s rep begins.
‘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,’ the statement concludes.
