'Stranger Things' Creators Respond to Abuse Claims

Hannah Smothers
Updated
Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty

From Cosmopolitan

Matt and Ross Duffer, the brothers who write, produce and direct Stranger Things, responded to a claim that they verbally abused women on the show set, according to Variety.

In a statement, the brothers said: "We are deeply upset to learn that someone felt uncomfortable on our set." The comment comes after Peyton Brown, a woman who works as a grip on the Stranger Things set, posted on Instagram that she would not be returning to help with season three, claiming she faced verbal abuse while at work. She didn't name the Duffer brothers in her post.

"I personally witnessed two men in high positions of power on that set seek out and verbally abuse multiple women," she wrote. "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."

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. 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. #timesup #theabusestopsnow #ontobiggerandbetter #standupforwhatsright #womenempowerment #ladygrip #sisterhood #iatsesisters #wewillbeheard #thispicsaysitall

A post shared by P (@peytonnbrown) on Mar 8, 2018 at 10:18am PST

According to Variety, Netflix investigated the allegations and reportedly "found no wrongdoing." The statement from the Duffer brothers continues: "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."

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