Sandman author Neil Gaiman faces new sexual assault allegations

Bestselling British author Neil Gaiman has reportedly been accused of sexual misconduct by eight women, including four who have already spoken out.

The author of fantasy and science fiction graphic novels – whose books Good Omens, American Gods and The Sandman were adapted for television – was on the cover of New York Magazine Monday.

The article – which details the new allegations against him based on interviews with eight women – follows the release last year of Tortoise Media’s Master podcast, which reported the original accusations.

Gaiman’s representatives denied the allegations, telling the US publication that he and the women had consensual encounters.

In July 2024, Tortoise Media reported that Gaiman had been accused of sexual assault and released a series of podcasts covering the allegations from five women.

On Monday, New York Magazine and its website Vulture reported allegations from eight women – four of whom also appeared on Tortoise’s podcast – claiming to have had similar experiences with Gaiman.

One of the women, who was babysitting Gaiman’s five-year-old child, alleges he offered her a bath in his garden before joining her naked in the bathtub, asking her to sit on his lap, and that he sexually assaulted her.

While the article states that all of the accusers have, at some point, played into Gaiman’s desires to some extent by calling him “master” and continuing to communicate with him; The women allege that consent and the specific BDSM activities they say took place were not discussed and agreed upon before they occurred.

Gaiman’s rep previously told Tortoise that “sexual degradation, bondage, domination, sadism and masochism may not be to everyone’s taste, but between consenting adults, BDSM is legal.”

The BBC has contacted Gaiman’s representatives for further comment.

A police report accusing Gaiman of sexual assault was filed in January 2023, but the investigation was ultimately dropped.

Since the allegations surfaced, several of Gaiman’s film and television projects have been affected.

The third season of Prime Video’s Good Omens will now end with a 90-minute episode, with Gaiman no longer involved in production.

Disney suspended production on its film adaptation of another Gaiman title, The Graveyard Book, while Netflix canceled Dead Boy Detectives, although it was unclear whether this was related to the allegations.

However, the second season of The Sandman is still scheduled to release this year on Netflix, as well as Prime Video’s series adaptation of Anansi Boys.

The BBC has contacted Netflix, Prime Video and Disney for comment.

Leeds Playhouse, which is hosting a musical adaptation of Gaiman’s dark horror children’s novella Coraline from April. He told BBC News in November that he was moving forward with the project. The venue has been approached to respond to the latest allegations.

The title’s publisher declined to comment.