Josh Peck recently expressed his support for his former co-star, Drake Bell, in the wake of Investigation Discovery’s documentary, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. Addressing the documentary for the first time on March 21, Peck took to Instagram to share his thoughts after watching it.
“It took a few days to process,” Peck wrote, referring to the documentary. “I reached out to Drake privately, but want to give my support for the survivors who were brave enough to share their stories of emotional and physical abuse on Nickelodeon sets with the world.”
The documentary revealed Drake Bell as the unnamed minor involved in the 2004 sexual assault case of Brian Peck, an acting coach hired for Nickelodeon’s All That. Peck was convicted, but it’s essential to note that Josh Peck and Brian Peck are not related.
“Children should be protected,” Peck continued, emphasising the importance of ensuring a safe environment for young actors. He acknowledged the difficulty survivors faced in sharing their traumatic experiences publicly and expressed hope that the documentary would bring healing and instigate necessary change within the industry.
Drake Bell also addressed the situation on TikTok, reassuring fans that he and Josh Peck had connected privately to discuss the matter. Drake urged fans to show understanding towards Peck, who had received backlash for not immediately addressing the documentary.
Regarding Drake’s revelation, Nickelodeon expressed dismay and support for him, acknowledging the trauma he endured. However, Peck’s behaviour wasn’t inappropriate. He defended his actions, stating that his behaviour was due to his high standards, not misconduct.
In the documentary, Bell revealed that he was sexually abused by Brian Peck when he was 15 years old. He described the abuse but opted not to go into detail on camera. Peck was convicted and sentenced to prison, registering as a sex offender.
Bell recounted how Peck manipulated him, isolating him from his family and abusing him while he was alone. Despite the trauma, Bell initially kept silent out of fear for his career. However, he eventually confided in his mother, leading to Peck’s arrest.
Dan Schneider, creator of The Amanda Show and Drake & Josh, offered support to Bell after Peck’s arrest. While other colleagues remained distant, Schneider was there for him. Letters of support for Peck during his sentencing came from various Hollywood figures, but none from Nickelodeon.
Despite the ordeal, Bell expressed gratitude for Schneider’s support and lamented the lack of therapy following Peck’s arrest. The documentary shed light on the abuse survivors faced in the entertainment industry and the need for better protection of child actors.
