‘The Umbrella Academy’ Showrunner Accused of ‘Toxic, Bullying Behavior’ by 12 Writers and Support Staff

Steve Blackman allegedly made frequent “sexist, homophobic and transphobic” comments

Steve Blackman attends the Umbrella Academy S3 Netflix Screening at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on June 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California
Steve Blackman attends the Umbrella Academy S3 Netflix Screening at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on June 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)

Twelve writers and support staff accused “The Umbrella Academy” showrunner Steve Blackman of a “long history of toxic, bullying, manipulative, and retaliatory behavior” in an HR complaint filed in January 2023, Rolling Stone reported Sunday. The news comes ahead of the show’s fourth season, which is set by Netflix to be its last.

Blackman was described as a “a manipulative and chaotic showrunner” who nurtured “a toxic workplace by pitting staffers against one another” and took credit for work he didn’t produce. He was also accused of making “sexist, homophobic, and transphobic” comments. The show features Elliot Page, with storylines in Season 3 where his character came out as a trans man.

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