WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:
- ‘The Rookie’ star Afton Williamson announced her departure from the ABC cop drama in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday.
- Williamson claimed experiencing repeated instances of racial discrimination and sexual harassment from the show’s hair department head, but her complaints were ignored by the showrunner.
- She also claimed that she was still required to film scenes with a recurring guest star even after she reported him for sexual harassment.
Actress Afton Williamson announced her departure from the ABC cop drama “The Rookie” in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday.
In her Instagram post, Williamson accused the show’s hair department head, Sally Ciganovich, of repeated instances of “Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments” and sexual harassment. She also claimed that the show’s executive producers bullied her on set.
She also remarked that she had reported the incidents to showrunner Alexi Hawley, but her complaints were not passed on to human resources. She said that Ciganovich was only fired after she suffered “sexual assault” at the show’s wrap party.
She also claimed that she was sexually harassed by recurring guest star, Demetrius Grosse. She said that even after filing complaints about his behavior, she was still required to film scenes with him.
Williamson wrote that “an investigation” was only started after she called in a meeting in June, which was prompted by the show’s announcement of a second season. She stated, “This meeting included the Showrunner and two other producers as well as my agent and SAG-AFTRA Union Rep. It was clear to all present in the meeting that the Showrunner had not shared my reports with the any of the producers.”
She continued, “After my initial report of sexual harassment, I was assured that Grosse would be fired. […] This actor reappeared on our call sheet at the end of the season, I was even written in scenes with him.”
An ABC spokesperson stated, “In late June, [Entertainment One] made us aware and informed us that they launched an investigation that is ongoing. The safety of working environments is a top priority for us, and we take this matter very seriously.”
Entertainment One’s own statement read, “We take claims of this nature very seriously. We have initiated an independent investigation which is ongoing and as such, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”
Meanwhile, Williamson claimed that “The investigation hadn’t even begun and Season 2 had already started filming.” So she decided to “turn it down and walk.” She will no longer be returning for the show’s second season.
Showrunner Hawley has not yet provided any comment.
You can read Williamson’s full Instagram post below.
Source: AOL
