Inside the Revelations Unveiled in “Quiet On Set” Documentary Series

For the first time, the so-called toxic environment at the cable channel Nickelodeon in the late ’90s and early aughts is being exposed on screen, in ID‘s “Quiet On Set” docuseries. For years, directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz worked to make sources comfortable with the idea of talking about their experiences, sharing allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics on sets—mostly under creator Dan Schneider.

“When we were first approached about this project, there was an undeniable passion behind the pitch. In working with an incredibly talented filmmaking team and the dedicated journalists at Business Insider, ‘Quiet On Set’ unearths revelations and sheds light on important survivor stories that needed to be shared after decades in the dark,” Tuner Networks, ID & HLN President Jason Sarlanis said in a statement to Variety.

For the four-part ID documentary, cast members and crew who worked alongside Schneider—the creator of “All That,” “The Amanda Show,” “iCarly,” “Victorious,” “Sam & Cat,” and many other massive Nickelodeon hits—shared their experiences. The documentary explores what type of behavior was allowed on the sets of children’s television shows, including women writers who claimed they were forced to accept half the salaries their male counterparts made.

Variety contacted Schneider—who says he hasn’t seen “Quiet on Set” yet—to comment on the docuseries’ allegations. About the salary claims, Schneider’s representative says: “‘The Amanda Show’ was produced by a different company (Tollin/Robbins) not Dan. Additionally, Dan was not involved in writers’ salaries, they were controlled by the network and also by the WGA, not by Dan even on shows he did create.”

The doc also features crew members alleging they were asked continuously to massage Schneider on set. “Dan deeply regrets asking anyone for neck massages,” his representative says in response. “Though they happened in public settings, he knows this was highly inappropriate and would never happen again.”

During the second half of the doc series, Drake Bell reveals he was the John Doe victim in Brian Peck‘s child abuse case. Peck, who worked as a dialogue and acting coach under Schneider on “All That” and “The Amanda Show,” was arrested for child sexual abuse in 2003 and served 16 months in prison and registered as a child sex offender. Until now, the case—and the multiple allegations—was sealed and Bell’s identity was secret.

Variety also reached out to Nickelodeon about the claims made about the network in “Quiet on Set,” and a spokesperson wrote in part: “Our highest priorities are the well-being and best interests not just of our employees, casts and crew, but of all children, and we have adopted numerous safeguards over the years to help ensure we are living up to our own high standards and the expectations of our audience.” (The full statement, which is also about Bell, is at the bottom of the post.)

In this interview, directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz about the process of learning Bell was the victim, unsealing the documents and more. “Quiet on Set” airs over two nights on ID at 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, and Monday, March 18. Episodes will also be streaming on Max.