Acclaimed fantasy author Neil Gaiman has vehemently denied sexual assault allegations after a New York Magazine investigation revealed six women accusing the British writer of sexual misconduct and coercion. The new accusations come on the heels of a July podcast by Tortoise media that first reported claims against Gaiman by two women, including a former nanny who alleged Gaiman engaged in nonconsensual sexual acts with her.
In a lengthy statement posted on his website, Gaiman firmly rejected the allegations, stating unequivocally: “I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.” While acknowledging that he’s “far from a perfect person,” Gaiman insisted all of his relationships with the accusers were “entirely consensual sexual relationships” based on their communications at the time.
Mounting Accusations and Gaiman’s Response
The New York Magazine article, based on interviews with eight women, six of them on the record, paints a disturbing picture of the beloved storyteller. The accusers, which include four women from the initial Tortoise podcast, claim that while they had consensual relationships with Gaiman at various points, he had a preference for rough sex and BDSM activities to which they had not always consented beforehand.
Two women who had previously worked for Gaiman said they felt coerced in the relationships due to the power imbalance of being his employee and living on his property. In July, one of these women, a former caretaker at Gaiman’s New York estate, alleged he pressured her for sex in exchange for housing, later having her sign an NDA in return for a $275,000 payment.
I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.
– Neil Gaiman, in a statement on his website
While Gaiman said he had refrained from commenting publicly out of respect for the accusers and to avoid drawing attention to “misinformation,” he felt compelled to address the allegations head-on after the latest article. Though acknowledging “moments I half-recognize and moments I don’t,” he categorically denied ever committing sexual assault.
Gaiman: “I Was Emotionally Unavailable”
The award-winning author did engage in some self-reflection, admitting that he spent months examining his conduct in past relationships. “I was emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-focused and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been,” Gaiman wrote. However, he maintained that despite any “missteps,” there was no abuse on his part.
Gaiman went on to say that some of the “horrible” allegations “simply never happened” while others have been so distorted “that they bear no relationship to reality.” He expressed a willingness to take responsibility for his mistakes but refused to “turn my back on the truth” or admit to things he didn’t do.
Screen Adaptations Halted Amid Controversy
The cascading allegations against Gaiman have already impacted several high-profile screen adaptations of his work. Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives, Amazon’s Good Omens season 3, and Disney’s The Graveyard Book have all been canceled or paused in recent weeks, though the streaming services have not confirmed if these decisions are tied directly to the accusations.
Key developments so far:
- 6 women accuse Gaiman of sexual assault, misconduct in NY Mag article
- Gaiman denies allegations, says relationships were consensual
- Author admits to being “emotionally unavailable” but rejects abuse claims
- Gaiman adaptations like Good Omens, Graveyard Book halted or canceled
A complaint accusing Gaiman of sexual assault was filed with New Zealand police in January 2023, but the investigation was eventually dropped. As the literary and entertainment worlds grapple with the revelations about one of their brightest stars, Gaiman seems determined to defend his name and legacy. With the author’s steadfast denial and more accusers coming forward, this story is far from over.
