The Umbrella Academy Showrunner Faces Allegations Of Workplace Misconduct
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Steve Blackman, showrunner of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, has been accused by 12 staff members of creating a toxic work environment involving bullying and sexism. The allegations come from writers and support staff who have worked on the show, with most choosing to remain anonymous for fear of career repercussions.
Rolling Stone has reviewed several documents and complaints about Blackman’s behavior, which include allegedly included pitting writers against each other, making inappropriate comments, and attempting to take credit for others’ work.
A complaint filed to Universal Content Productions, the show’s producer, in January 2023 alleged that Blackman exhibited a “long history of toxic, bullying, manipulative, and retaliatory behavior.” One writer claimed her contract was not extended in the second season because she was pregnant. Another writer stated, “He told me he fired them because one was pregnant and didn’t tell him,” referring to the pregnant woman and her writing partner.
