10 Hit TV Shows That Were Almost Overwhelmed by Behind-the-Scenes Drama

Article Overview

Behind-the-scenes drama and toxic behavior on set can severely affect the stability and continuation of beloved television series.

Shows like

Rick and Morty

,

Glee

, and

Grey's Anatomy

faced significant challenges, such as abuse allegations, bullying, and feuds among the cast.

The toxic work environments on shows like

Desperate Housewives

and

Charmed

nearly caused these series to end prematurely.

Behind the scenes of several TV shows, there was so much turmoil that they were on the brink of cancellation, jeopardizing the future of beloved series. The effort, individuals, and behind-the-scenes tasks necessary to produce a cherished television show are often overlooked. However, a few prominent shows have been known to have extremely unhealthy work environments, some of which were so severe that they posed a serious threat to the stability of the series.

One of the main causes of such drama in TV shows is toxic behavior on set, often driven by the egos and demands of the actors. In other cases, shows had to scramble to repair themselves when a key figure was abruptly removed due to allegations of abuse. Regardless of the underlying reasons, certain television series were dangerously close to being derailed by behind-the-scenes turmoil before managing to find a way to move forward.

10. Rick And Morty (2013-Present)

Rick And Morty's Co-Creator Was Fired

9. Glee (2009-2015)

Rick and Morty faced a major setback when accusations of domestic abuse and sexual misconduct were directed towards Justin Roiland, who served as co-creator and primary voice artist. These allegations resulted in the swift termination of Roiland's association with Adult Swim and the show itself. To ensure the continuation of Rick and Morty, new voice actors were brought in for the titular roles in season 7, albeit after a period of uncertainty that generated speculation about the show's future. Dan Harmon, the other co-creator, stepped in as the sole showrunner, and the animated series received an order for ten seasons.

Glee Was Plagued By Bullying

Glee's longevity is truly astonishing considering the immense turmoil that took place behind the scenes. The devastating loss of Cory Monteith, who portrayed Finn Hudson, left a profound impact on the entire cast and crew. Furthermore, troubling allegations of bullying were leveled against several Glee cast members. In a candid interview with Variety, Samantha Ware, who portrayed Jane Hayward, bravely recounted multiple incidents involving her co-star Lea Michele, accusing her of engaging in toxic and racist behavior while on set. These reports, along with other rumors surrounding Michele's treatment of her colleagues, contributed to a highly unfavorable working atmosphere.

8. Grey's Anatomy (2005-Present)

Grey's Anatomy Had Several Issues With The Cast

Since its inception in 2005, Grey's Anatomy has been marred by on-set controversy, jeopardizing the series' stability. Feuds between cast members and sudden departures have plagued the show. One such incident involved Isaiah Washington, whose repeated use of a homophobic slur led to his departure (via EW). Additionally, key cast members such as Katherine Heigl, T. R. Knight, and Patrick Dempsey have also left the series. Heigl further courted controversy when she withdrew her name from consideration for the Primetime Emmy Awards, claiming that the material was not deserving. Furthermore, rumors have circulated suggesting that Ellen Pompeo received "hush money" to keep quiet about Dempsey's toxic behavior while on set.

7. Community (2009-2005)

Community's Star And Showrunner Frequently Clashed

Chevy Chase's reputation for on-set difficulties resurfaced during his time on the set of Community. Chase, known for his role as Pierce Hawthorn, frequently clashed with writer Dan Harmon, culminating in a highly charged incident at a Community season wrap party, where Harmon encouraged attendees to chant "f*** you, Chevy" (via Deadline). Although Harmon was initially fired, he later returned to the show due to low ratings. Unfortunately, Chase's problematic behavior persisted, with multiple reports of him using a racial slur while filming (via The New Yorker). Consequently, Chevy Chase did not return for Community season 5, a decision that ultimately helped to salvage the sitcom.

6. Desperate Housewives (2004-2012)

Desperate Housewives' Stars Were Accused Of Bullying

Throughout its tenure, Desperate Housewives was plagued by rumors of on-set feuds. It became widely recognized that there was significant friction among the main cast members, often accompanied by allegations of bullying. Although no one has officially confirmed the identity of the primary instigator, speculation has pointed to Teri Hatcher. Nicollette Sheridan, in fact, referred to her as the "meanest woman alive" (via Mamamia). Sheridan further insinuated that she was dismissed from Desperate Housewives during its fifth season after reporting an assault committed by creator Marc Cherry to the network.

5. The X-Files (1993-2002, 2016-2018)

The X-Files' Stars Had A Highly Publicized Feud

During The X-Files, Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny famously engaged in a feud, although accounts vary on the cause and intensity of the discord. The major source of contention between the two stars was Anderson receiving significantly lower pay than Duchovny, leading to increased friction that was worsened by the challenging shooting conditions. Anderson clarified that the demanding work hours and the pressures of filming strained their relationship, while Duchovny implied that Anderson's pursuit of perfectionism during this time contributed to the conflict. In attempting to leave The X-Files multiple times, Duchovny's initial attempt prompted the entire series to shift its filming location from Vancouver to Los Angeles in order to retain him (via Uproxx).

4. House Of Cards (2013-2018)

Kevin Spacey's Abuse Allegations Threatened House Of Cards

In 2017, the entertainment industry was shaken by allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey. At the time, Spacey was actively involved in Netflix's House of Cards, portraying Francis "Frank" Underwood. Consequently, he was swiftly dismissed from the show. House of Cards had already commenced filming its sixth season and had to halt production to address the concerns raised (via Deadline). Eventually, the sixth season was released with a reduced number of episodes, with Robin Wright assuming the lead role as Claire Underwood. Despite the dedicated efforts of many crew and cast members to salvage the show, House of Cards ultimately concluded after its sixth season.

3. Charmed (1998-2006)

The Charmed Cast Did Not Get Along

Despite a harmonious start, the cast of Charmed faced internal strife during season 3. Shannen Doherty, who played Prue Halliwell, was written off the show at the season's conclusion. This exit was believed to be a result of tensions among the cast. Doherty was then replaced by Rose McGowan, who later accused Alyssa Milano of fostering a toxic work environment (via E News). Additionally, Charmed encountered further complications in later seasons due to significant budget cuts. These cuts resulted in the removal of several supporting characters in order to maintain the salaries of the main cast members (via The List). Each cast member has shared that their time on Charmed was overshadowed by various behind-the-scenes dramas.

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

Star Trek: The Next Generation Had A High Level Of Writer Turnover

The show Star Trek: The Next Generation faced significant challenges behind the scenes that posed a threat to its success. It was rejected by three different networks initially, but Paramount eventually decided to syndicate it. At that time, the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, had acquired a reputation for being stubborn and difficult. He insisted on having complete creative control before agreeing to any deal. Roddenberry's demand resulted in a unique rule where none of the main characters in Star Trek: The Next Generation were allowed to engage in arguments with each other. This restriction posed a struggle for many writers working on the show, as they had to find alternative ways to create compelling stories. As a consequence, the show experienced a high turnover of staff, with over 30 writers departing during the first season alone.

1. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Had A Problematic Production

remained at the same position as the original:

Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has faced allegations from multiple cast members regarding a toxic work environment, as reported by Mamamia. These allegations only became public many years after the show ended, leaving us uncertain about the extent of the threat it posed to the survival of the series. However, Sarah Michelle Gellar's frustrations came close to bringing the show to an early conclusion. Alyson Hannigan disclosed that Gellar had grown weary of the show during its third season, leading to its initial ending after season 5, according to We. Although Gellar was eventually convinced to return for two more seasons, her frustrations almost resulted in the premature termination of the series and allegedly caused a rift between Hannigan and Gellar.

Sources: Mamamia; We, EW, The New Yorker, Uproxx, E News, The List, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline