'The Flash': Fans say fire Danielle Panabaker next after Hartley Sawyer's removal from show over racist tweets
'The Flash' actor Hartley Sawyer has been fired from the CW show after a series of his racist and misogynistic tweets resurfaced over the weekend. The tweets were before the actor joining the series and contained homophobic language, apart from other offensive tweets about beating women.
“Hartley Sawyer will not be returning for Season 7 of The Flash,” The CW, producers Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Productions, and executive producer Eric Wallace said in a statement to Fox News on Monday. “In regards to Mr. Sawyer’s posts on social media, we do not tolerate derogatory remarks that target any race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. “Such remarks are antithetical to our values and polices, which strive and evolve to promote a safe, inclusive and productive environment for our workforce,” the statement concludes.
Many fans cheered this move by the CW and requested them to investigate his co-star Danielle Panabaker as well, who, according to fans, "has been giving Candice Patton hell" for years. Patton plays the role of Iris, Barry's love interest, on the show.
"The CW made a good choice during hartley sawyer , fire danielle panabaker next," a fan wrote. "Hartley sawyer has been fired danielle should be next," another tweeted.
"Damn even Hartley Sawyer's a racist misogynistic weirdo?? good he's gone, but can we fire Danielle next pls," a fan wrote.
"Hartley sawyer getting fired is a brilliant step for the CW but they really need to follow through and keep that energy with danielle panabaker because that witch has caused candice patton hell for YEARS," another wrote.
"It's amazing that hartley sawyer was fired but danielle panabaker needs to be too. the amount of racial hate that she helped light a fire to for YEARS is insane and she needs to be held accountable for it," another tweeted.
However, many others are confused about the anger directed towards Panabaker and asked to be "filled in". A user commented asking why exactly were people pushing for Panabaker to be fired. "After Hartley Sawyer’s firing, I have seen a lot of comments demanding to do the same for Danielle. But here’s my question, apart from talking about snowbarry, what did she do ?? I mean, sure they may not be best friends but that doesn’t mean she’s racist or mean or anything?" the fan wrote, as many attacked Panabaker for promoting Barry Allen and Caitlin Snow as a possible ship on the show, rather than Barry and Iris, played by Patton. Some even called her racist, for doing so.
"Y’all need to stop hating of Danielle Panabaker. Y’all find any reason to cancel or hate on people like Hartley Sawyer past tweets like geez if it was like recent oh okay but nahh 2012 gtfo," a fan defended Panabaker.
There's no word on who will replace Hartley Sawyer on 'The Flash', as yet.