A U.K. stage production of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline has been canceled following allegations of sexual assault against the author. The Coraline musical was set to take place at Leeds Playhouse from April 11 to May 11 before touring to Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Manchester. Co-production partners Leeds Playhouse, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep, and Home Manchester issued a joint statement on Wednesday, which reads: “We have decided our production of ‘Coraline – A Musical’ will not proceed. After careful consideration, we feel it would be impossible to continue in the contexts of the allegations against its original author.”
Back in July 2024, Tortoise Media broke the news of the allegations made by two women against Gaiman. The media outlet released a six-part podcast titled “Master,” detailing the stories of five women, including statements from four who also appeared on the podcast. The situation escalated when New York Magazine published “There Is No Safe Word,” featuring interviews with eight women who shared similar experiences with the celebrated author of Coraline and The Sandman.
Following the release and amplification of these stories, Neil Gaiman released his own statement expressing regret for his past behavior. “I was emotionally unavailable...” he stated. “I’m not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I can’t accept being described as someone I am not, and cannot and will not admit to doing things I didn’t do.” Though Gaiman has expressed remorse, he firmly denied the allegations of sexual assault.
The fallout from these serious allegations has been swift, affecting Gaiman’s various ventures. Season 3 of Prime Video’s Good Omens will now conclude with one 90-minute episode, where Gaiman is no longer involved. Meanwhile, Disney has paused production on the planned film adaptation of The Graveyard Book, and Netflix has canceled Dead Boy Detectives, though it remains uncertain whether this decision was influenced by the allegations.
Further complicate matters, Dark Horse Comics announced it would no longer publish Gaiman’s illustrated adaptation of Anansi Boys, with the seventh edition of the series released earlier this month being its last. “Dark Horse takes seriously the allegations against Neil Gaiman and we are no longer publishing his works,” the company stated, even as Gaiman’s books remain listed on their website.
Responses from other publishing houses have been equally severe. HarperCollins and W.W. Norton have announced no plans to publish Gaiman's future works, leaving the status of his books uncertain. Some publishers, such as Bloomsbury, have not yet made public statements on the matter.
Despite these setbacks, Gaiman still lists the Stephen Barclay Agency as his contact for public appearances, though his name currently does not appear on their client list, raising speculation about the future of his professional engagements. Gaiman’s literary agency did not respond immediately to requests for comments.
While the entertainment industry reckons with these allegations, the release of The Sandman Season 2 on Netflix is still anticipated for later this year, offering some reassurance to fans amid the controversy. The casual dismissal of serious sexual misconduct allegations has led to heated discussions about accountability and the responsible consumption of art.
These developments have drawn both public attention and scrutiny, as they intersect with broader cultural conversations about agency, consent, and justice within creative industries. By continuing to promote projects associated with Gaiman, publishers and production companies must navigate the potential consequences of reputational damage versus the inherent value of the works being produced.
Gaiman’s influence remains significant within the literary and pop culture communities, but now it is tainted by these serious accusations. The future of his career, along with the perception of his contributions to literature and culture, will undoubtedly hinge on how these allegations are resolved, and whether the industry can establish more rigorous standards of conduct to protect individuals from alleged harassment and abuse.
Though Gaiman’s artistic legacy is substantial, the question remains whether his body of work can stand free from the shadow of these allegations and the damaging effects they impose on all involved. The potential ripple effects of these accusations are yet to fully unravel, leaving the literary world to ponder the depth of responsibility carried by authors and creators.