Worrying allegations about its creator could be the reason FX didn’t renew the run of English Teacher

It’s been two months since FX English teacher ended its first season. It felt like a huge hit – beloved by critics and a staple of year-end lists (I ranked it my second favorite show of 2024 in our podcast, out tomorrow). Therefore, it is unusual that FX has not yet renewed the film for a second season despite its success.

However, for those who have seen Reddit discussions about creator and star Brian Jordan Alvarez’s past issues, FX’s hesitation may not come as a surprise. Jon Ebeling, a former collaborator of Alvarez’s, was frequently featured in social media discussions about the series, both directly and in screenshots shared on Instagram, Reddit, and other platforms.

Before English teacherBrian Jordan Alvarez created a cult hit on YouTube, The joyful and wondrous life of Caleb Gallowith his English teacher Co-star and collaborators Stephanie Koenig and Jon Ebeling. Although the details are contradictory, there is said to have been a romantic relationship between Alvarez, Koenig and Ebeling. In a Vulture article, Ebeling states that he only agreed to a relationship with Alvarez because he was interested in Koenig and felt pressured to comply.

Their relationship dynamics were reflected in The joyful and wondrous life of Caleb Gallo. According to Ebeling, who played a central role Caleb GalloAlvarez performed oral sex on him without consent in 2016 while filming a scene that reflected the real-life dynamics within their tight-knit group. Ebeling claims the incident took place under the guise of improvisation, leaving him frozen and unable to stop for fear of jeopardizing his career. Alvarez denied the allegations, saying Ebeling had verbally agreed and willingly participated.

Ebeling filed a police report with the LAPD in September 2023 and reported Alvarez to SAG-AFTRA.

“Brian briefly made contact with Mr. Ebeling’s penis under the covers and believed (rightly and appropriately, given Brian’s then-current sexual relationship with Mr. Ebeling) that Mr. Ebeling was okay with it,” a legal representative for Alvarez told Vulture . The lawyer also claimed that Ebeling “agreed verbally.”

Ebeling confided in Koenig about the incident shortly after the incident, but was convinced it was a miscommunication. He continued to work with Alvarez and Koenig on several projects over the years, but later reassessed the situation and concluded that it was a sexual assault.

“Brian Jordan Alvarez’s interactions with Jon Ebeling have always been completely consensual – as numerous witnesses have confirmed,” a representative for Alvarez wrote to Pajiba via email. “In fact, Mr. Ebeling himself said this unequivocally on tape in 2018, two years after this alleged incident.

“For many months, Mr. Ebeling has been spreading his falsehoods to anyone who would listen, but when confronted with evidence of his duplicity and definitive third-party evidence showing why Mr. Ebeling should not be trusted, numerous media outlets refused to buy into his falsehoods print “outrageous allegations,” the statement continued.

Alvarez, celebrated for his openness about sexuality and relationships in his work, has also been investigated for other behaviors. Former classmates have described troubling incidents during his college years, including allegations of harassment and inappropriate advances toward straight men. Ebeling compared his experience to the stalking depicted in Baby reindeer. However, Alvarez’s representative claims that Vulture “ignored first-hand testimony about Mr. Ebeling’s history as a perpetrator of painful assaults.”

The fallout has divided the once tight group. Some have defended Alvarez, while others have privately speculated about the claims. FX has not yet publicly commented on the allegations.

Source: Vulture

(The article has been updated to include a statement from a representative for Alvarez.)