'Ned's Declassified' Stars Issue Apology to Drake Bell Over 'Quiet on Set' Remarks: Admit Mistake

‘Ned’s Declassified’ Cast Apologizes to Drake Bell for ‘Quiet on Set’ Comments: ‘We F–ked Up’

Daniel Curtis Lee, Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, and Drake Bell. Instagram; Presley Ann/Getty Images

Devon Werkheiser, Lindsay Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee, former stars of Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, recently apologized for making inappropriate comments about Investigation Discovery’s docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.

The apology was issued on their podcast, “Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide,” on Friday, March 22. The trio addressed a joke they made during a TikTok live session when asked about the docuseries.

"We were on a TikTok Live and asked to comment on the Quiet on Set documentary, which we hadn't seen. A joke came out that was referenced at Daniel and looked like I was talking about Drake Bell," Werkheiser explained in the apology.

"We messed up," he admitted. "We hadn't seen the doc and everyone was asking for our opinions on it." The trio mentioned that they have now watched the docuseries and admitted they had "no clue" about the extent of the abuse Bell experienced at the hands of dialogue coach Brian Peck, who is not related to Nickelodeon star Josh Peck.

Werkheiser expressed understanding after watching the show. He mentioned, "If I had just watched the third episode and then saw us joking like that, I would have wondered if something was wrong with us."

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV aired on Sunday, March 17, and Monday, March 18. The show delves into the harmful work environment for child actors at Nickelodeon. Bell is featured in two episodes, where he talks about his experience with sexual abuse during his time as a child star.

‘Ned’s Declassified’ Cast Apologizes to Drake Bell for ‘Quiet on Set’ Comments: ‘We F–ked Up’

Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw Daniel and Curtis Lee. Courtesy of Ned's Declassified Podcast Survival Guide/YouTube

The Ned’s Declassified alums faced criticism online for seemingly downplaying abuse, with Bell himself referring to them as “Ned’s Declassless.” Werkheiser expressed feeling terrible after Bell’s comment, and publicly apologized to him on social media earlier in the same week.

“I want to clarify that even though it may seem like I found it funny, I absolutely did not. I understand how it may appear, especially to Drake who witnessed it,” Werkheiser explained on his podcast. “I was filled with immense guilt, knowing how Drake perceived our actions in that situation.”

Curtis Lee clarified that the joke labeled as "extreme" was not aimed at Bell. Shaw, on the other hand, expressed regret for her own lack of sensitivity on the matter.

"I apologize," she stated. "I understand that even if there was no ill intent behind actions taken towards me, it is important for people to acknowledge when something has hurt me, whether intentional or not."

Editor's P/S:

The apology issued by Devon Werkheiser, Lindsay Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee is a step in the right direction, as it acknowledges the gravity of sexual abuse and the