Los Angeles, California – Former Nickelodeon stars Drake Bell, Josh Peck, Kenan Thompson, and Alexa Nikolas have recently spoken out about the disturbing revelations brought to light in the investigative docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.” The documentary, aired on Investigation Discovery, delves into allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate behavior on Nickelodeon TV show sets under the management of Dan Schneider, involving both underage stars and crew members.
Former creatives and crew members involved in Nickelodeon programs such as “The Amanda Show,” “Drake & Josh,” “Zoey 101,” “iCarly,” “Victorious,” and “Sam & Cat” shared their experiences of enduring toxic work environments behind the scenes. The series also shines a light on the experiences of Amanda Bynes, a prominent figure on Nickelodeon in the late 1990s and early 2000s, who did not participate in the docuseries.
Drake Bell, a star of “Drake & Josh,” bravely shared his story for the first time in the docuseries, detailing alleged abuse by his former dialogue coach, Brian Peck, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a fellow Nickelodeon child actor in 2004. Bell’s graphic account highlighted the trauma he endured and his feelings of being trapped during the ordeal. In the aftermath of the documentary, Bell revealed that his co-star Josh Peck reached out to offer support and help him navigate the aftermath of the revelations.
Josh Peck, in his response to “Quiet on Set,” emphasized the bravery of the survivors who shared their stories of abuse, acknowledging the difficult process of reliving past traumas publicly. Nancy Sullivan, who played Drake’s mother on “Drake & Josh,” expressed her support for Bell, commending his courage in speaking out about his experiences.
The documentary also prompted reflections from other former Nickelodeon stars, such as Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee from “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide,” who expressed regret over past insensitivity and addressed the seriousness of the revelations in the docuseries. Similarly, Matthew Underwood from “Zoey 101” opened up about traumatic experiences that led him to leave the acting industry, shedding light on the challenges faced by child actors behind the scenes.
Alexa Nikolas, known for her role in “Zoey 101,” criticized Dan Schneider’s response to the series, highlighting the need for accountability and sharing her own alleged experiences on the set. The discussion surrounding the documentary has also prompted responses from other Nickelodeon stars, including Allie DiMeco from “The Naked Brothers Band” and Matt Bennett from “Victorious,” who voiced their support for survivors and called for greater protections for young actors in the industry.
While the revelations in “Quiet on Set” have brought to light troubling aspects of the entertainment industry, former Nickelodeon stars like Kenan Thompson, who began his career on “All That” and “Kenan & Kel,” have stood in solidarity with those who have come forward. Thompson emphasized the importance of accountability and the need for necessary changes in the industry to prevent similar abuses from occurring in the future.
As discussions continue around the impact of the docuseries and the experiences shared by former Nickelodeon stars, the revelations have sparked conversations about the treatment of young actors in the entertainment industry and the importance of creating safe environments for all performers.