Netflix exec sues over termination after ketamine disclosure

A former Netflix executive has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant, alleging he was wrongfully terminated after disclosing his legally prescribed ketamine treatment during a company-mandated trust-building exercise. Kevin Baillie, the former vice president and head of creative at Netflix's visual effects division, Eyeline Studios, was dismissed from his position in April 2026.

The controversy stems from a "Vulnerability-Trust" exercise held during an executive retreat at Netflix's Sendero Ranch in Northern California in January 2026. During the session, Baillie shared that he had undergone supervised ketamine treatments at a Santa Barbara clinic in October and November 2022 to treat severe clinical depression following his mother's death. According to the lawsuit, Netflix subsequently launched an internal investigation.

On March 18, 2026, a company investigator questioned Baillie about his disclosure. The legal filing states this inquiry was conducted in a manner that suggested suspicion of recreational drug use, despite Baillie's prior explanation of the medical context. By early April, Netflix terminated Baillie's employment. The lawsuit alleges a company attorney...