“Star Trek” producer Bryan Fuller sued for sexual harassment on set of “Queer for Fear” docuseries
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Bryan Fuller, a writer and producer for shows like Star Trek: Discovery and Hannibal, is being sued for sexual harassment on the set by a former employee of Shudder's Queer for Fear, but his attorney says they plan to countersue for defamation based on "provably false statements," according to a Deadline report.
Sam Wineman, who served as a producer and director on the LGBTQ+ horror documentary series, filed a lawsuit against Fuller Wednesday, claiming that Fuller "cultivated and maintained a hostile work environment as a result of harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and retaliation" between 2020 and 2022, per a copy of the complaint viewed by EW.
Wineman is also suing AMC Networks, Shudder, and Steakhause Productions in the same suit, as he alleges that he was ultimately fired from the series, and that the network "ignored all warning signs, facilitated, and permitted" Fuller's behavior.
An AMC spokesperson told EW the company was reviewing the complaint and did not have any immediate comment. Reps for Fuller, Shudder, and Steakhouse Productions did not respond to EW's request for comment.
Tara Ziemba/Getty Bryan Fuller
The suit enumerates several accusations against Fuller, including inappropriate touching, lewd sexual comments, and verbal abuse. The complaint alleges that "Mr. Fuller's preoccupation with masturbation permeated everything," and that the defendant yelled at Wineman to the point of making him cry. It also claims that when Fuller felt rejected by Wineman, he could be found "denying creative requests, sabotaging shots, heckling interviewees, storming off set, and ignoring" the plaintiff. Additionally, the suit alleges that in 2020 and 2021, Fuller, who is gay and in a longterm relationship, was "frequently proclaiming his hatred of all gay men."
Another part of the complaint alleges that an executive producer pressured Wineman to visit Fuller's home to apologize for not prioritizing the showrunner's needs because "[Fuller] is the money" and "we have to keep the money happy." Wineman also claims his credits on the series were ultimately reduced as an act of retaliation.
Fuller's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told Deadline that the producer would be filing a countersuit. "Make no mistake, Sam Wineman will be sued for defamation based on what are 100 percent provably false statements," Freedman told the outlet. "There is documented evidence which completely disproves the allegations against Bryan Fuller," adding that he believes Wineman is making "an effort to extort" AMC and his client, and that Wineman "never raised any allegation of wrongdoing prior to his removal because he knew that this was absolute garbage."
Freedman did not respond to EW's request for comment.
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