Following allegations of abuse toward 'multiple women' on the set of Netflix series' Stranger Things, the show's series creators Matt and Ross Duffer have denied the claims.
Last week, crew member Peyton Brown wrote on Instagram that she would not return for Season 3 of the hit show because the Duffers brothers has allegedly created a hostile work environment for women.
In the caption to her post, Brown claims she '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,' she added.
Since Brown's declaration, Matt and Ross Duffer released a statement to Variety claiming they are saddened by the allegations and defended their behaviour.
Their statement reads:
'We are deeply upset to learn that someone felt uncomfortable on our set. We think it is important not to mischaracterise 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.'
In a comment that has since been deleted, Brown confessed she was referring to the Duffer brothers and claimed they 'threatened female crew' which forced some members to quit.
Though it did not name any names, a comment on the original post reportedly read: 'There was yelling, there were insults, there were threats and people were even fired or forced to quit because of them.'
Netflix has responded to the allegations and said it investigated the reports and 'found no wrongdoing' on either creators' part.
Brown continued her Instagram post caption: 'There are too many amazing and highly respected men in respective positions of power that I have had the utmost pleasure of working beside. Those are the people I want to surround myself with.
'Those are the projects I want to be a part of. This industry is no longer led by a "few good men," but instead by an OCEAN of ASTOUNDING WOMEN. Enough is enough. For my sisters- Time is up.'
'Stranger Things' returns for Season 3 in 2019.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
