The creators behind Netflix’s mega-hit Stranger Things have acknowledged and spoke out about allegations of verbal abuse on the set of the Georgia filmed series.
The Duffer brothers said that they are upset by the claims and allegations. The statement comes days after Stranger Things grip Peyton Brown posted about accusations from the set of theshow and her decision not to return for season three.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix found no wrongdoing by Matt and Ross Duffer or anybody else on set, and the pair seemed to indicate that treating everybody reasonably is their main priority.
“We are deeply upset to learn that someone felt uncomfortable on our set. Due to the high-stress nature of production, tempers occasionally get frayed, and for that, we apologize. However, we think it is important not to mischaracterize our set, where we believe strongly in treating everyone fairly regardless of gender, orientation, race, religion, or anything else. We remain totally committed to providing a safe and collaborative working environment for everyone on our productions.”
Brown’s initial post was deleted after comments began to go viral with details separate from her accounts, including one reprinted by Variety that claimed there were incidents of yelling, insults, and threats by the duo with people “fired or forced to quit because of them.” Brown deleted the posted and reposted without the comments:
“I guess there’s no better day than #nationalwomensday to say #timesup and announce that I will not be a part of the filming of Season 3 of Stranger Things. Why, you ask? Because I stand with my sisters. I personally witnessed two men in high positions of power on that set seek out and verbally abuse multiple women. I promised myself that if I were ever in a situation to say something that I would. I have 11.5 thousand followers who can hear me say this, TIME IS UP. Women in the film industry are POWERFUL. We will rise and we will scream from mountain tops in support of each other and I will not contribute my time, efforts, and talent to such abusive people. There is too much going on in this world to be regressive. There are too many amazing and highly respected men in respective positions of power that I have had the utmost pleasure of working beside.”
Stranger Things returns for Season 3 in 2019. The show became an instant hit when it debuted in July 2016, and returned for another incredible season in October 2017.
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