New allegations of sexual misconduct and assault have emerged against Neil Gaiman, the renowned fantasy author behind best-sellers like Good Omens, American Gods, and The Sandman, which have all made the leap to television.
On Monday, a cover story in New York Magazine titled “There Is No Safe Word,” written by Lila Shapiro, detailed new accusations based on interviews with eight women, following earlier allegations reported in the Tortoise Media podcast Master released in July 2024. The prior podcast featured graphic claims from five women, four of whom also participated in the New York Magazine coverage.
Among the allegations is a disturbing account from Scarlett Pavlovich, who formerly babysat for Gaiman and his ex-wife Amanda Palmer. She reported being sexually assaulted by Gaiman in February 2022 in New Zealand and also detailed an incident in a hotel room where she claims the assault occurred while his son was nearby. Gaiman’s representatives have categorically denied these allegations, describing them as “false, not to mention, deplorable” in their response to the magazine.
A police report was filed against Gaiman in January 2023 concerning sexual assault, but the investigation was ultimately closed without action.
Another woman, using the pseudonym Brenda, recounted an encounter with Gaiman from the 1990s when they met at a book signing. She described an uncomfortable sexual encounter they had at a horror convention years later, noting that Gaiman seemed to follow a script that felt more ritualistic than personal.
Despite these serious allegations, Gaiman’s work continues to receive attention, with several adaptations underway: the second season of The Sandman on Netflix, the Amazon miniseries Anansi Boys, and the concluding episode of Good Omens on Amazon. Both Netflix and Amazon have been contacted for comments regarding the implications of these allegations on the respective projects, and Gaiman’s team declared that the encounters were consensual.
This situation highlights the ongoing conversation surrounding consent and accountability in creative industries, particularly as prominent figures face scrutiny. The outcome of this situation may impact future collaborations and the perceptions of Gaiman’s work, but it also opens a dialogue about respect and boundaries in literary and entertainment circles.
In light of these allegations, fans and the literary community will likely be watching closely how this story unfolds as more facts are revealed.