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Steve Blackman, showrunner of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, has been accused by 12 staff members of creating a toxic work environment involving bullying and sexism. The allegations come from writers and support staff who have worked on the show, with most choosing to remain anonymous for fear of career repercussions.
Rolling Stone has reviewed several documents and complaints about Blackman’s behavior, which include allegedly included pitting writers against each other, making inappropriate comments, and attempting to take credit for others’ work.
A complaint filed to Universal Content Productions, the show’s producer, in January 2023 alleged that Blackman exhibited a “long history of toxic, bullying, manipulative, and retaliatory behavior.” One writer claimed her contract was not extended in the second season because she was pregnant. Another writer stated, “He told me he fired them because one was pregnant and didn’t tell him,” referring to the pregnant woman and her writing partner.
Jesse McKeown, co-showrunner for the fourth season, disclosed conflicts with Blackman regarding the pay of another writer. McKeown, who supported the writer in the dispute, noted that his own role was subsequently reduced. “I always sort of carried that around thinking, ‘OK, that was clear retaliation, [but] he would never do that to me,'” McKeown said. “It happened to me eventually, and a whole bunch of other people in between.”
Blackman’s representatives denied the accusations in a statement to Rolling Stone, calling them “entirely untrue” and “completely absurd.” They 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.”
Representatives for Blackman and Netflix did not immediately respond to requests for comment from other news outlets. You can read Rolling Stone’s full report here.
The Umbrella Academy, adapted from the Dark Horse Comics series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, debuted on Netflix in 2019. The show has garnered a cult following and significant viewership, with audiences watching 2.454 billion minutes in the first week following the third season’s premiere in 2022, according to Deadline. The series is set to release its fourth and final season on August 8.
