‘Hannibal’ Creator Bryan Fuller Sued For Sexual Harassment By ‘Queer For Fear’ Collaborator Sam Wineman

Bryan Fuller, the creator behind shows such as Hannibal and American Gods, is being sued by a former colleague for sexual harassment. The Shudder streaming service and AMC Networks are also named in the lawsuit.

“Defendant Bryan Fuller cultivated and maintained a hostile work environment as a result of harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault and retaliation from the years 2020 to 2022,” the lawsuit alleges, per Deadline.

The lawsuit, which was filed by plaintiff Sam Wineman, claims Fuller created a hostile work environment while working on the Queer horror docuseries Queer For Fear: The History of Queer Horror for Shudder. Fuller is accused of repeatedly referencing inappropriate topics at work, with the lawsuit alleging his “preoccupation with masturbation permeated everything.”

Wineman also accuses Fuller of sexually assaulting him “several times” by holding him from behind to “crack his back” so he allegedly “could press his penis against [Wineman’s] buttocks,” per AV Club.

Wineman also claims he was fired from Queer for Fear in August 2021 after reporting Fuller’s alleged “abuse …unlawful behavior and comments,” per Deadline. The lawsuit states, “AMC defendants and executive producer defendants ignored all warning signs, facilitated and permitted Mr. Fuller’s unlawful conduct and ultimately ratified Mr. Fuller’s behavior and comments.”

An attorney for Fuller claimed they will be filing a lawsuit for defamation and malicious prosecution in response. Fuller’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a statement to Deadline in response to the lawsuit, saying, “Make no mistake, Sam Wineman will be sued for defamation based on what are 100 percent probably false statements.”

Freedman claimed they have “documented evidence” that “completely disproves the allegations against Bryan Fuller.”

His statement also alleges that Wineman was removed from the project because of his own “gross incompetence” and denied that he reported the claims against Fuller prior to his firing.

“Sam Wineman just made the biggest mistake of his life and once the evidence comes out, he will forever be known as a pathological liar. Rest assured; a malicious prosecution lawsuit aimed directly at him is coming soon,” Freedman’s statement continued.

Decider has reached out to reps for Fuller for further comment.

Fuller is best known for creating the hit NBC series Hannibal. He is currently working on a delayed adaptation of Stephen King‘s novel Christine as well as a Friday The 13th prequel series.

If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org