Netflix cancels Neil Gaiman series after sexual assault allegations

The series of Netflix Dead Boy Detectivesbased on the author’s comic book series Neil Gaimanwas cancelled just weeks after the author faced allegations of sexual abuse.

In July, Gaiman was accused of sexual assault by two women, allegations the writer has strongly denied.

According to a report from the Variety portal, the eight-episode series that was part of the universe of The Sandman has not been renewed. Gaiman created the book on which the series was based, which was later adapted by Steve Yockey for Netflix. The series follows the duo Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), who created a crime-solving agency from beyond the grave.

Despite receiving praise from fans and receiving a 92 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and reaching number three on the US Nielsen charts, its ratings success was short-lived and did not reach the same heights as The Sandman series, which has been renewed for a new season.

The sexual abuse complaint against Neil Gaiman

In July, according to an article and podcast by Tortoise, it was reported that Gaiman was the subject of a police investigation in New Zealand.

Tortoise said New Zealand police have made “several attempts to speak to key individuals as part of this investigation and those efforts are ongoing,” adding that “there are a number of factors to consider in this case, including the location of all parties.”

The allegations span two decades and come from women with whom Gaiman allegedly had consensual relationships. However, the women maintain they experienced what the publication describes as “rough and degrading” sex that they say was not always consensual.

Woman claims Gaiman sexually assaulted her within hours of their first meeting in a bathroom at his New Zealand residence. The second woman met Gaiman during a book signing and began a consensual relationship with him two years later.

She alleges there were times when she was subjected to rough and painful sex “which she neither wanted nor enjoyed” and that on another occasion she did not consent to having sex.

Gaiman strongly denied any allegations of non-consensual sex and later responded to the post saying: “New Zealand Police did not accept your offer of assistance over a woman’s complaint in 2022,” something he says reflects its lack of substance.

Gaiman is a prolific author of short stories, novels, comics, graphic novels and screenplays and his work has been adapted by both Netflix and Amazon, as well as for Hollywood films.