Drake and Josh star Drake Bell reunited with his former co-star Josh Peck on the latest episode of the podcast Good Guys, which aired on Monday, March 24, 2025. This reunion was particularly poignant as it marked a significant moment in both their lives, especially following the revelations from last year's docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which aired in March 2024 and detailed the difficult realities faced by child actors.
During this episode, Bell opened up about his painful experiences while working on the Nickelodeon show, revealing that he had to be around Brian Peck, a dialogue coach who had assaulted him in 2004. Bell described the set as a place where he felt most comfortable, stating, “Where I felt most comfortable, where I was the happiest was when I was on set with you guys. And the worst part was every day I got there, the monster was there,” referring to Brian Peck.
Josh Peck remarked that he never fully grasped the effects of Brian Peck’s actions on Bell until he watched the docuseries last year. His reflection highlighted the complexity of Bell's trauma. “It’s only in watching the doc that I can realize that just him being put to justice, which thank God he was, and deserved, and deserved to go longer, but like, what about you? What about the trauma you endured? It’s so much; it’s so much deeper. It’s so much more unacceptable. It’s not this clean, ‘Well, he went to jail, so everyone’s all better,'” Josh Peck emphasized.
Bell recounted the harrowing experience of sitting in the courtroom during Peck’s sentencing in 2004, stating, “It was hard, I think, during that time because when we went to court, the entire side of his courtroom was full of people who I thought were my friends and people who I looked up to, people whose careers I would like mine to be one day, and I’m on the side … it was me and my mom.” This vividly expresses the internal turmoil Bell faced during the trial.
In the conversation, which is part one of a two-part series, the pair discussed how their friendship evolved through the years post-Dan Schneider's Nickelodeon productions. They have openly acknowledged their past fallout, particularly in 2017 when Drake Bell was not invited to Josh Peck’s wedding. This incident sparked a rift that displayed the complexity of their friendship.
Peck admitted that his perspective on Bell’s experiences changed drastically after watching Quiet on Set. He remarked about the lack of protection that child actors faced during their time in the industry, highlighting that many were unaware of the dark side behind the scenes.
Following years of distance, both Bell and Peck have expressed a desire to reconnect and support each other. Peck's public support of Bell after the docuseries highlighted their efforts to heal their relationship and redefine their past. Bell articulated his feelings on the show, “When you are working with somebody every day, day in and day out, and you're going through stuff at home ... they come out with the person.”
The podcast episode concluded with a teaser for the second part of their conversation, set to air on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Listeners can expect further revelations about their friendship as well as more discussions surrounding the impact of their experiences in childhood acting.
The complex narrative between Drake Bell and Josh Peck is a reminder of the importance of addressing abuse within the entertainment industry, especially regarding child actors. The conversation also sheds light on how public figures can support each other through traumatic experiences, fostering healing and understanding, transforming their old friendship into something deeper amid the tumultuous history they both share.
As Bell released his latest album Non Stop Flight, a 35-track collection reflecting his journey, fans are eager to witness not just his musical evolution but also his personal growth, alongside his rekindling friendship with Peck.
