Quiet On Set: What We Learned From Drake Bell’s Abuse Allegations

In a recent tell-all four-part docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, child actors and Nickelodeon employees have spoken of the alleged sexual abuse, racism, sexism and inappropriate friendships between adults and children they experienced during the time of Dan Schneider’s reign as producer.  

Among the child stars who spoke out about the abuse they endured was Drake Bell, well known for his roles in Drake and Josh and The Amanda Show. In the recent docuseries, Drake identified himself as the victim of the 2004 case in which it was alleged former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck had sexually abused a minor. 

Peck was arrested in 2003 and convicted in 2004 for an incident in 2001 where a minor allegedly faced extensive sexual abuse by Peck. Bell had not identified himself as the plaintiff at this time. Peck spent 16 months in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender. 

Bell began acting at just five years of age shortly after his parents split. He landed his first big role on the Amanda Show in 1999, where he met Peck who joined the show in the second season as a dialogue coach. In the series, Drake says he remembers getting close to Brian as they had similar interests which he now recognises as “calculated”. 

Drake’s father, Joe, recalls being cautious of the relationship between Drake and Brian, but Brian was allegedly able to drive a wedge between Drake and his parents allowing the abuse to continue.  

Opening up about the alleged abuse, Bell says, “It was not a one-time thing […] It just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and I was just trapped. I had no way out. The abuse was extensive and it got pretty brutal.” Drake also says that the abuse led him down a bad path of drug and alcohol abuse.  

When asked specifically about the abuse endured Drake responds by saying, “Why don’t you think of the worst thing someone can do to someone that is sexual assault and that’ll answer your question.” 

Drake explains how when he got a girlfriend, he spent a lot of time at her house as he felt safe there. He says that one day Brian repeatedly began calling the girlfriend’s family home and the girlfriend’s mother began to speculate abuse due to the obsessive phone calls.

She took Drake to her family therapist where he denied any misconduct. Drake says he broke down several weeks later and told his mother about the abuse he had endured over a phone call. 

Drake is not alone in his allegations; many child actors have spoken out in the docuseries about their experience working with Nickelodeon. Many cast members shared their uncomfortable experiences on set including the sexualisation of pre-teen girls in Zoey 101. 

Since the docuseries aired, Dan Schneider has spoken out about the accusations of abuse and inappropriate behaviour. In an interview with iCarly actor, BooG!e, Dan said he was, “facing my past behaviours, some of which are embarrassing and that I regret.” 

Long before the docuseries aired Dan had received criticism regarding the sexualisation of children and suggestive jokes included in his shows, which often included feet. Dan continued, “I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology.” 

Following the release of the series, Drake took to TikTok to inform his followers that his former co-star Josh Peck (no relation to Brian Peck) had reached out to speak to him.

“I just want to clear something up. I’ve noticed a lot of comments on some of Josh’s TikToks and some of his posts,” he said in a video.

“But I just want you guys to know that he has reached out to me, and it’s been very sensitive. But he has reached out to talk with me and help me work through this. And has been really, really great. So just wanted to let you guys know that and to take it a little easy on him.”

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV is not yet available to watch in Ireland and the UK but will likely be released on either Discovery+, Sky Atlantic or Now TV in the near future.  

Words by Abby Sammon 

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