Neil Gaiman Denies Sexual Assault Allegations in New York Magazine Report
Best-selling fantasy author Neil Gaiman has denied multiple allegations of sexual assault made by several women, as detailed in a New York Magazine article published on Monday. Gaiman, known for works like The Sandman, Coraline, and Good Omens, issued a statement on his website rejecting the accusations.
In his statement, Gaiman asserted, “I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone.” He further described the allegations as a mix of moments that “half-recognize” and others he “don’t” while claiming that some of the descriptions of events were entirely fabricated.
Gaiman’s comments came after accusations first emerged in July, when a podcast investigation by Tortoise Media included allegations from two women. By August, additional women came forward, accusing the author of sexual assault, coercion, and abuse. These allegations, spanning from 1986 to 2022, were made in the US, UK, and New Zealand. The four women who spoke to Tortoise Media also provided accounts to New York Magazine. CNN has not independently verified their claims.
Though Gaiman refrained from addressing each individual allegation, he reiterated, “I don’t accept there was any abuse,” and emphasized that he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. He also expressed that while some of the accusations were “horrible stories” that never happened, others were significantly distorted. He stated, “I am prepared to take responsibility for any missteps I made,” but rejected being falsely described as someone he is not.
As the allegations have surfaced, some of Gaiman’s ongoing projects have been affected. Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens, based on Gaiman’s novel, will conclude with a 90-minute special instead of the originally planned third season, and Gaiman will no longer receive an executive producer credit. CNN reached out to Prime Video for further details, but the company has yet to provide a public update.
Additionally, Disney has paused its adaptation of The Graveyard Book due to multiple factors, including the allegations, as reported by IndieWire in September. CNN has contacted Disney for comment.
On the other hand, Netflix’s second season of The Sandman, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery, is still slated for release later this year. A Netflix spokesperson was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.
Gaiman’s statement reflects his steadfast denial of the allegations and his ongoing commitment to defending his reputation amid the controversy.
