The email landed in my inbox like a thud. “Neil Gaiman Responds,” the subject line read, and a knot tightened in my stomach. It felt like peering into a car crash – the kind you don’t want to witness, but can’t turn away from. Here we go again.
Sorry, Good Omens fans, but this isn’t the Neil Gaiman-adjacent news you were waiting for. While devotees of the Prime Video series wait and wait for an update on that “finale special” that replaced season three, the series’ controversial co-creator has emerged for a fresh denial of the sexual misconduct allegations against him.
In addition to forcing Good Omens to recalibrate its final season, those allegations also led to what sure felt like the cancellation of Netflix’s The Sandman, depending on who you ask, among other suspended projects.
Variety calls attention to a new statement from the author, which is very defensive but also couches a sly reveal of a new book he calls “the biggest thing I’ve done since American Gods.” Presumably he’s had a lot of time for writing since he hasn’t been in the TV sphere for a few years now.
Going by this newest communication, he hasn’t wavered one bit on maintaining his innocence, despite the accusations made by a former babysitter and other women, investigated in a New York Magazine Vulture article as well as a seven-episode Tortoise Media podcast series. Prior to Monday, his most recent address on the subject came on January 14, 2025, in a blog post entitled “Breaking the Silence.”
The February 2 Gaiman statement is titled “Thank You,” and you can read the whole piece on his online journal.
“It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything anywhere, but I didn’t want to let any more time go by without thanking everyone for all your kind messages of support over the last year and a half,” it begins. “I’ve learned firsthand how effective a smear campaign can be, so to be clear: The allegations against me are completely and simply untrue. There are emails, text messages and video evidence that flatly contradict them. These allegations, especially the really salacious ones, have been spread and amplified by people who seemed a lot more interested in outrage and getting clicks on headlines rather than whether things had actually happened or not. (They didn’t.)”
He goes on to write that he thought “the truth would, eventually, come out,” citing a pro-Gaiman Substack author who has defended him. Then comes the book news:
“It’s been a strange, turbulent and occasionally nightmarish year and a half, but I took my own advice (when things get tough, make good art) and once I was done with making television I went back to doing something else I love even more: writing. I thought it was going to be a fairly short project when I began it, but it’s looking like it’s going to be the biggest thing I’ve done since American Gods.”
Whether or not folks will embrace a new novel from Gaiman remains to be seen. For now, most everything he was involved with in the adaptation sphere has either ended or been cancelled. That includes the Netflix series The Sandman and Dead Boy Detectives, Disney’s The Graveyard Book, the stage play Coraline – The Musical, and Gaiman’s work with Dark Horse Comics. There are also two in-flux projects: the previously mentioned Good Omens send-off and a Prime Video series based on Anansi Boys.
Want more Movies & TV news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
A Familiar Refrain: Neil Gaiman’s Latest Statement
We’ve seen this play before. The curtain rises on a digital stage, the lights come up, and a familiar figure steps into the spotlight to deliver a well-rehearsed monologue. This time, it’s Gaiman, issuing another forceful denial of allegations that have shadowed his career.
According to Variety’s report, Gaiman’s recent statement, published on his online journal, expresses gratitude for supportive messages received over the past year and a half. He describes the accusations as a “smear campaign,” asserting their complete untruth and claiming to possess contradictory evidence. This echoes his previous defense in a January 2025 blog post titled “Breaking the Silence.”
What specific accusations have been made against Neil Gaiman?
The allegations against Gaiman, investigated by New York Magazine’s Vulture and a Tortoise Media podcast series, involve claims of sexual misconduct from a former babysitter and other women. These are not vague murmurs; they are specific accusations that have been publicly detailed and dissected. The weight of these accusations cannot be understated, and Gaiman’s repeated denials underscore the seriousness of the situation.
A Creative Pivot: From Screen to Page
The entertainment world is a fickle beast. One moment, you’re riding high on a wave of critical acclaim; the next, you’re navigating treacherous waters of controversy. Whatever the cause, Gaiman appears to be shifting his focus.
Amidst the denials, Gaiman slipped in an announcement sure to grab headlines: he’s writing a new book, touted as “the biggest thing I’ve done since American Gods.” Consider that for a moment. After his work on series like The Sandman (Netflix) and facing stalled projects like Anansi Boys (Prime Video), he’s returning to his roots: long-form storytelling. Perhaps, in a world of canceled shows and lingering questions, the blank page offers a refuge, a place where he can control the narrative. If television adaptations proved too difficult, perhaps this new project on paper will be a return to form.
How might these allegations impact his future creative projects with companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video?
Gaiman’s projects in the “adaptation sphere” – television, film, stage – have faced significant disruption. The Sandman and Dead Boy Detectives at Netflix, Disney’s The Graveyard Book, and the stage play Coraline – The Musical, have all either ended or been shelved. Two Prime Video series, Good Omens and Anansi Boys, are currently in limbo. Will companies like Netflix and Amazon be willing to partner with him again, given the persistent controversy? That remains a multi-million dollar question.
The Court of Public Opinion
In today’s hyper-connected world, the court of public opinion can be swift, brutal, and often unforgiving. A single accusation, amplified by social media, can topple careers and tarnish reputations.
The Tortoise podcast series and Vulture expose are the linchpins here. Gaiman’s strategy is to discredit the accusations, pointing to alleged “emails, text messages and video evidence” that contradict the claims. He frames the situation as a “smear campaign” driven by those seeking “outrage and clicks.” Whether this strategy will prove effective remains to be seen. The internet never forgets, and the cloud of suspicion, whether justified or not, may linger for years to come. Like a stain on fabric, it will not easily wash out.
What evidence exists to support or refute the allegations against Gaiman?
That’s the core question, isn’t it? Gaiman claims to possess evidence that clears his name, but he hasn’t publicly released it. His supporters point to inconsistencies in the accusers’ stories and question their motives. Ultimately, the existence and validity of any evidence is a matter of ongoing debate and scrutiny. Do you believe the allegations have been properly addressed, or is there more to the story?