On Monday, fresh allegations of sexual assault against Neil Gaiman surfaced, prompting an incisive and chilling analogy from J.K. Rowling, the celebrated author of the Harry Potter series. Soon after New York magazine unveiled its comprehensive cover story detailing multiple accusations against Gaiman, levied by women both new and old to the narrative, Rowling ventured into the social media realm to provide her own thoughtful and opinionated perspective.
Far from unfamiliar with controversy, Rowling herself has faced accusations of transphobia due to her vocal stance on gender identity and the transitioning of minors. In her initial reactions to the allegations against Gaiman, once a highly esteemed figure in literary circles, Rowling drew parallels with incarcerated rapist Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo movement's fervent outcry against the notorious Pulp Fiction producer.
This morning, on her social media platform, Rowling penned a second message concerning Gaiman, stating, "The literary community that was previously vocal about Harvey Weinstein, before his conviction, has curiously fallen silent in response to multiple accusations against Neil Gaiman, voiced by young women who had never met him. These women's stories, like those against Weinstein, bear remarkable similarities."
Gaiman, akin to Weinstein, stands accused not only of assaulting women but also of utilizing NDAs and financial settlements to silence his alleged victims. Furthermore, as with Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Danny Masterson, and other individuals who have faced justice in recent years for rape and assault, the testimonies from unrelated women about Gaiman appear to indicate a repeated pattern of behavior.
Expanding upon the information and insights initially presented last summer in Tortoise Media's six-part podcast titled "Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman," New York magazine's often explicit article, "There Is No Safe Word," authored by Lila Shapiro, interviewed a total of eight women, three of whom had never spoken out publicly before. These alleged assaults, some occurring with Gaiman's son nearby and targeting women in their late teens to early twenties, took place in Gaiman's upstate Empire State home. Other incidents unfolded in New Zealand during a Covid-19 lockdown, when Gaiman, his then-spouse Amanda Palmer (a member of Dresden Dolls), and their child were under quarantine.
Amidst accusations deemed consensual in the past, yet vehemently denied as any form of assault, Gaiman, represented by the CAA, has remained silent on the freshly unearthed allegations. These claims have become entangled in a web of NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and persistent communications from several women, confusing some observers. In a lengthy January 14th post on his personal blog, Gaiman reflected, "As I contemplate my past and reconsider the actual events, contrasting them with the allegations, I cannot concede to any abuse. I reiterate, I have never participated in non-consensual sexual encounters. I stand ready to own up to any misjudgments I might have made. However, I refuse to turn a blind eye to the truth, reject being misrepresented, and categorically deny accusations that are unfounded."
Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have ongoing projects with the acclaimed Gaiman, including a second season of "Sandman" and the recent 90-minute finale episode of "Good Omens." When the initial wave of accusations surfaced last September, Gaiman stepped down from his showrunning duties on "Good Omens." As of Monday, neither streaming giant responded to Deadline's requests for comment on the new allegations. This post will be updated should they choose to issue a statement.
Weinstein, currently under medical supervision and awaiting a new criminal trial on the East Coast for multiple sex crimes, was swiftly ostracized and condemned by the industry following a 2017 New York Times expose detailing decades of abuse and rape he perpetrated on young women within and beyond Hollywood. In 2023, a Manhattan jury convicted the former studio chief of raping actress Jessica Mann and sexually assaulting production assistant Miriam Haley, sentencing him to 23 years in prison. However, a panel of New York appeals court judges overturned the conviction in April of last year, ruling 4-3 that prosecutors had improperly admitted testimony from other Weinstein accusers whose cases were not being tried.
Convicted of sex crimes in Los Angeles in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years, Weinstein remains imprisoned while facing several civil trials on both coasts. Last reported to be battling leukemia and suing the state of New York for $5 million due to the "deplorable conditions" at Rikers Island jail, a new trial date on the East Coast has yet to be set. The uncertain timeline is partly attributed to the Manhattan District Attorney's office hinting at additional indictments against Weinstein. As of now, no charges have been filed against Gaiman by authorities in the United States, New Zealand, or his native UK, where he is known for his work on "American Gods."
