Neil Gaiman denies multiple sexual assault allegations
- Multiple women have accused Neil Gaiman of sexual assault, leading to the cancellation of the planned Coraline musical.
- Gaiman has publicly denied the allegations, asserting that he has never been involved in non-consensual sexual activity.
- The accusations have led to significant disruptions in Gaiman's professional projects and adaptations of his works.
In the United Kingdom, a planned musical adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Coraline was canceled due to significant sexual assault allegations against the author. Initiated by a lengthy article in New York magazine, the allegations surfaced earlier this month and involve multiple women who claim Gaiman engaged in non-consensual encounters, including accusations from a long-term babysitter and a caretaker. These allegations led to the decision by Leeds Playhouse and its co-production partners to halt the musical’s progression, which was supposed to run between April 11 to May 11, 2025, before a subsequent tour across several cities. On January 14, 2025, Gaiman addressed the allegations in a blog post titled "Breaking the silence." In his response, he expressed that while he has engaged in relationships that he perceived as consensual, he recognized that he could have been emotionally unavailable and self-focused, ultimately regretting his behavior. He strongly denied any accusations of non-consensual sexual activity, emphasizing that he has never engaged in such actions. Gaiman also reflected on messages exchanged with his accusers, arguing that they indicated mutual enjoyment in the relationships at the time. The fallout from these allegations has affected his professional associations as well. Following the initial revelations last year, several adaptations of his work have been halted, including Disney's film project for The Graveyard Book and Netflix's Dead Boy Detectives, although the latter may not be directly related to the allegations. Additionally, Gaiman stepped back from being a producer on Good Omens, with plans for the series to conclude earlier than anticipated. The seriousness of the accusations has led to broader discussions within the industry about consent and the treatment of women in creative spaces. As these events unfold, the future of adaptations of Gaiman's works hangs in the balance, with productions pausing and reconsidering their associations with him in light of the allegations, even as certain projects, like the second season of The Sandman, still remain on track for release.