The Umbrella Academy Showrunner Steve Blackman Accused of Toxic and Manipulative Behavior
Steve Blackman, co-creator and showrunner of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, is facing allegations of toxic and retaliatory behavior while overseeing the streamer’s sci-fi drama.
In a new report by Rolling Stone, 12 former writers and support staffers on The Umbrella Academy detailed what was referred to in a January 2023 human resources complaint as a “long history of toxic, bullying, manipulative and retaliatory behavior” during Blackman’s time at the helm of The Umbrella Academy‘s four seasons. (The fourth and final season drops Thursday, Aug. 8.)
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The wide-ranging allegations include claims that Blackman would diminish the roles of, or outright fire, staffers who pushed back against his ideas; in many cases, Blackman would allegedly cite budget issues or studio decisions for a staffer’s dismissal. He also allegedly took a “hot-and-cold” approach with his employees, speaking highly of their work in conversation with them, but privately disparaging them to other staffers later. Several sources additionally claimed that Blackman would implement his writers’ ideas without giving them appropriate credit or promoting them.
Other assertions about Blackman’s behavior include comments that were perceived to be homophobic, transphobic, lewd and/or sexist. In a text-message exchange provided to HR as part of the 2023 complaint against Blackman, he wrote to an unnamed recipient, “Elliot [Page] wants to come out as trans on the show. As Ivan. Oh my f—king God. Kill me now.”
In a statement to Rolling Stone, a representative for Blackman claimed that his agitation about transitioning Page’s character stemmed from the workload required to rewrite the character’s arc when Season 3 scripts were already complete, and was not meant to indicate Blackman’s lack of support for Page, a transgender actor. (At the time of Season 3’s release, Blackman told TVLine he was “really proud” of how the show handled Elliot’s transition, citing his desire to tell a “pro-trans, authentic, sensitive” story.)
Universal Content Productions, a production company behind The Umbrella Academy, opened an investigation into the claims against Blackman in Spring 2023. Of the variety of allegations against him, only the claims that Blackman had made “inappropriate and unprofessional remarks” and used “foul and derogatory language” were substantiated. (Several unnamed sources, however, said they were never contacted by UCP about their exits from The Umbrella Academy, despite being named in the HR complaint against Blackman.)
“Over six years and four seasons overseeing thousands of crew, actors, and writers, Steve Blackman led The Umbrella Academy to become a beloved series with devoted fans, enthralling stories, and a dedicated team making it all possible,” Blackman’s rep said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “These allegations from a handful of disgruntled employees are completely false and outrageous, and in no way reflect the collaborative, respectful, and successful working environment Mr. Blackman has cultivated.”
Representatives for Netflix and Blackman did not immediately respond to TVLine’s requests for comment.
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