Drake Bell's“ Drake and Josh” TV Mom Nancy Sullivan Voices Her Support amid Abuse Allegations: 'It Broke My Heart'

The former Nickelodeon star recently came forward about the sexual abuse he suffered as a teen by dialogue coach Brian Peck, who was eventually convicted in 2004

Actress Nancy Sullivan is voicing her support for her former TV son Drake Bell.

Shortly after Bell, 37, came forward to reveal that he was the victim of sexual assault while working as a teenager on Nickelodeon in the Investigation Discovery docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, Sullivan, 54, who played his mother Audrey Parker-Nichols on the series Drake and Josh, shared a message of solidarity on Instagram.

In a thoughtful post shared on Wednesday, the actress wrote that "it broke [her] heart" to learn the singer/actor had been abused by dialogue coach Brian Peck when they were costars. She also commended how "bravely" he opened up about his experience.

Related: Where Is Brian Peck Now? All About His Sexual Assault Case and Prison Sentence

"They weren't my real kids, but I'll always love them," Sullivan wrote in the caption of a post, featuring an old photo of Bell in his teens.

"It broke my heart into a million pieces to hear just how much Drake was holding inside while we were working together," the TV star continued. "I was both devastated and proud seeing the man he's grown into sit down on camera and bravely tell his truth."

Sullivan then said she hopes Bell will be able to find the strength to move on, now that he's spoken out publicly for the first time. "Past abuse doesn't define us, and it has no right to rule our lives, I know that putting this burden down will free him in so many ways," she wrote. "I hope memories of the joy he had on our shows will someday greatly overshadow the pain."

The statement concluded, "Sending love to Drake for a deep healing and for a rich and beautiful life ahead."

Related: Drake Bell Calls Out Ned's Declassified Alums for Mocking His Sexual Assault Revelation: 'Really?'

Sullivan worked with Bell on Drake and Josh throughout its entire run from 2004 to 2007. On the series, Sullivan portrayed the biological mother of Bell's character Drake and Megan (Miranda Cosgrove), whose marriage to Walter Nichols (Jonathan Goldstein) resulted in a blended family and the introduction of their stepbrother Josh (Josh Peck).

Before Drake and Josh, Sullivan and Bell also both appeared in the ensemble cast of The Amanda Show, which ran from 1999 to 2002.

The performer voiced her support for her former TV son several weeks after he first shared in a teaser for Quiet on Set that he had suffered sexual abuse by the dialogue coach, 63. In the four-part docuseries, which premiered on March 17 and 18, Bell further opened up about the experience, which allegedly occurred over a six-month period when he was 15 and eventually led to Peck's conviction in 2004.

Related: The Biggest Bombshells from 'Quiet on Set,' the Docuseries Alleging Toxic Culture on Nickelodeon Shows

Sullivan isn't Bell's only former costar to reach out to him. In a video posted to TikTok, he shared that his former TV brother, 37, contacted him privately.

“Processing this and going through this is a really emotional time,” the All That alum said in the clip. “A lot of it is very difficult so not everything is put out to the public. But I just wanted to let you guys know that [Josh] has reached out to me and it’s been very sensitive."

The "I Found a Way" singer added, "But he has reached out to talk with me and help me work through this and he’s been really great."

Bell also requested that fans speculating the two weren't in contact to "take it a little easy" in the comment sections of Peck's posts on social media.

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In connection with Bell's case, Brian pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16, as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a teenager, in 2004. He then spent 16 months in prison and was mandated to register as a sex offender.

Quiet on Set is the first time Bell has spoken out about the case, as his identity as the victim was not made public because he was a minor at the time.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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