The British science fiction and fantasy graphic novel writer has been the subject of an investigation by Vulture that details new allegations against him based on interviews with alleged victims.
Neil Gaiman, 64, best-selling author of the novels "Good Omen," "Nowhere," "Stardust," "American Gods" and "The Day I Swapped My Father for Two Goldfish," has been accused of sexual assault and violence by eight women. The British science fiction and fantasy graphic novelist has been the subject of an investigation by New York Magazine detailing the new allegations against him based on interviews with eight women, following the release last year of Tortoise Media's podcast "Master," which reported the initial allegations from alleged victims, including a former babysitter for Gaiman's son.
The defense: only consensual encounters
Gaiman’s representatives have denied the allegations, telling the magazine that he and the women had consensual encounters. In July 2024, Tortoise Media reported that Gaiman had been accused of sexual assault and published a series of podcasts covering the allegations made by five women. Now, New York Magazine and its website Vulture have reported allegations from eight women — four of whom appeared on Tortoise Media’s podcast — who say they had similar experiences with Gaiman. One of the women, who had babysat Gaiman’s five-year-old son, claims he offered her a bath in his backyard before coming to her naked in the tub, asking her to sit on his lap, and sexually assaulting her.
The accusers: erotic practices not agreed upon
While the report claims that all of the accusers complied with Gaiman's wishes in some way by calling him "master" and continuing to communicate with him, the women claim that the consent and specific sexual practices they say took place were not discussed and agreed upon before they happened. Gaiman's representative previously told Tortoise Media that "sexual degradation, bondage, domination, sadism and masochism may not be everyone's cup of tea, but BDSM is acceptable between consenting adults." The BBC has reached out to Gaiman's representatives for further comment, but has not yet received a response. A police complaint accusing Gaiman of sexual assault was filed in January 2023, but the investigation was ultimately closed.
Several Gaiman projects halted after allegations
Since the allegations emerged, several of Gaiman’s film and TV projects have been put on hold. Prime Video’s “Good Omens” season three will end with a 90-minute episode, with Gaiman no longer involved in the production. Disney has suspended production on a film adaptation of another Gaiman title, “The Graveyard Book,” while Netflix has canceled “Dead Boy Detectives,” although it’s unclear whether that’s related to the allegations. Netflix is still set to release season two of “The Sandman” this year, as is Prime Video’s series adaptation of “Anansi Boys.” The BBC has contacted Netflix, Prime Video and Disney for comment, but has yet to receive a response. The Leeds Playhouse will host a musical adaptation of Gaiman’s dark fantasy horror children’s novel “Coraline” in April. He told BBC News in November that he was moving forward with the project. Headline, which has published several of Gaiman's works, declined to comment on the allegations against the Portsmouth-born author.
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