Steve Blackman, co creator of The Umbrella Academy, is denying allegations of “poisonous, bullying, manipulative and retaliatory habits” whereas serving as showrunner on the hit Netflix sci-fi drama.
The allegations by 12 former writers and assist staffers on the present had been detailed in January 2023 human sources grievance, according to a report in Rolling Stone. The embrace a feminine writing crew, one in every of whom was a brand new mom who returned from go away a month earlier than her contract ended. When the writers room was prolonged for a further 10 weeks to finish the season, the feminine writing crew’s contract, based on present sources cited by Rolling Stone, was not prolonged.
A spokesman for Blackman informed Rolling Stone, Black labored with UCP’s HR division to make sure the ladies’s contracts had been concluded “in full compliance with all insurance policies and rules,” and the choice was “solely based mostly on efficiency and finances.” Blackman additionally denied some other allegations of retaliation.
Different allegations made by the previous writers and staffers included a requirement for “unwavering loyalty” by Blackman and that Blackman would cut back the roles or fireplace staffers who disagreed or pushed again towards his concepts.
Blackman additionally was accused of feedback that sources mentioned had been discovered to be sexist, homophobic, and transphobic.
In textual content messages supplied to HR as a part of the 2023 grievance, Blackman wrote to an unnamed recipient, “Elliot [Page] desires to return out as trans on the present. As Ivan. Oh my f—king God. Kill me now.”
However a consultant for Blackman informed Rolling Stone Blackman initially was hesitant as a result of Season 3 scripts had been already written and would require an incredible quantity of labor to rewrite and his response was not meant to point he didn’t assist Web page.
Following Web page’s transition announcement in December 2020, Blackman informed TVLine he felt the storyline was “crucial” to incorporate. “We wished to inform a narrative that was actually pro-trans, genuine, delicate, and present that households can settle for trans folks of their lives, and it doesn’t should be a unfavorable factor, because it’s usually portrayed within the media,” Blackman mentioned.
Web page, nonetheless, was complimentary of Blackman and the present’s determination to characteristic the transition, saying “some of the particular issues about that is the way it’s dealt with.”
Additionally detailed within the grievance are allegations of sexist, lewd, and disparaging feedback by Blackman, based on Rolling Stone.
The Umbrella Academy producer, Common Content material Productions, launched an investigation into the Blackman allegations in spring 2023 and located solely the claims that Blackman had made “inappropriate and unprofessional remarks” and used “foul and derogatory language” had been substantiated.
A spokesperson for UCP tells Deadline the studio has “no additional remark” on the Rolling Stone report.
“Over six years and 4 seasons overseeing 1000’s of crew, actors, and writers, Steve Blackman led The Umbrella Academy to change into a beloved sequence with devoted followers, enthralling tales, and a devoted crew making all of it potential,” Blackman’s rep mentioned in a press release to Rolling Stone. “These allegations from a handful of disgruntled workers are fully false and outrageous, and under no circumstances mirror the collaborative, respectful, and profitable working setting Mr. Blackman has cultivated.”
Deadline has reached out to Netflix and a consultant for Blackman and can replace when/if we obtain.
The fourth and ultimate season of The Umbrella Academy will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, August 8.
