Fan Behaviour & Vertical Dramas: When Support Crosses a Line
Safety, Boundaries & Respect in the Vertical Drama Industry
This isn’t based on one incident. This is the result of months of issues, particularly over the course of this year.
And it keeps getting worse. I am picking up the pieces of people in real distress.
What someone may think is “ha ha funny”, banter, or simply being a supportive fan can actually cross a line into something much more serious. And I think some people genuinely do not realise the impact their behaviour is having. But impact matters.
Everyone Deserves To Feel Safe
One of the most important things in the world that I want for everyone is to feel safe.
Safe online.
Safe at work.
Safe at home.
Right now, for some people in this space, that feeling of safety is being endangered. And what will happen is people will retreat. Less interaction. Less access. More distance. And that would be a loss for everyone.
The vertical drama industry is tough enough anyway. We all know the challenges. The pressure, the speed, the uncertainty, the intensity of social media, the scrutiny, the competition.
What creatives should not have to be dealing with on top of that is:
repeated DMs after not replying
escalating messages when there’s no response
sexual comments or unsolicited explicit images
invasive questions about bodies or sex scenes
pressure to respond or engage
guilt-tripping when boundaries are held
public objectification and speculation
gossip that damages reputations
people physically crowding or grabbing them
demands for access without respecting a “no”
Harassment, Online Safety & UK Law
And yes — this goes both ways. There is also a huge amount of predatory behaviour from female fans towards male actors in this space.
Objectification. Invasion of personal space. Entitlement. If the genders were reversed, much of this behaviour would immediately be recognised for what it is.
We need to apply the same standards across the board.
And this is serious.
A lot of behaviour people dismiss as “just online” or “just joking” can potentially fall under existing law — at least here in the UK.
Repeated unwanted messages, escalating contact, or pressure to respond can potentially fall under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which covers repeated behaviour that causes distress or intimidation.
Sending explicit sexual messages, unsolicited nudes, or sexual content without consent may potentially fall under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and newer legislation including the Online Safety Act 2023.
Sexualised, degrading, threatening, or grossly offensive public comments can also potentially fall under the Communications Act 2003.
In other words — some of this is not simply “a bit too much”. Some of it can potentially cross legal boundaries. And I do not think enough people are stopping to think about that.
Because behind every account is a real human being. A person trying to build a career. A person navigating visibility. A person with feelings, fears, pressure, and limits.
Creatives Do Not Owe Us Access
Creatives are human beings. Many are young. Many are navigating sudden visibility with very little guidance or protection. Many are trying to build careers in an industry moving incredibly fast. They do not owe us unlimited access to them.
And creatives — I want to say this clearly now:
You do not owe us anything.
You do not owe me anything.
What you do owe to yourself is doing what you need to do to keep yourself safe and protect your mental wellbeing.
Because if this behaviour continues to escalate, people will retreat further from fan spaces entirely. And honestly? I would understand why.
Most Fans Are Kind & Respectful
And to fans — because I also want to say this: The vast majority of fans are kind, generous, respectful people. This is not about attacking fandom or shutting down enthusiasm. Fan support is the reason this space exists.
But everyone needs to stop and think.
Before you send the message.
Before you leave the comment.
Before you approach someone in person.
Pause.
Ask yourself:
Would I be comfortable receiving this message?
Would I want somebody saying this to my child?
Am I being invited into this interaction — or am I assuming access?
Would I say this face-to-face?
What would you genuinely think if someone sent that message to you? Or to your child?
Engage brains.
Respecting Boundaries In Fandom
Not everybody experiences things in the same way. What feels playful to one person can feel intimidating, invasive, or frightening to another.
I truly believe we can do better. Support does not need to cross boundaries to be meaningful. In fact, the most powerful support is often the simplest:
Respect. Kindness. Space. Empathy.
Because this industry deserves to thrive. And so do the people within it.