'It's time to use my voice': 'The Rookie' star Afton Williamson quits show over sexual assault and discrimination during Season 1
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The ABC series 'The Rookie' star Afton Williamson has left the show after her alleged sexual harassment and racial discrimination complaints were turned a deaf ear. After constantly complaining about the same, Afton's objections were reportedly unanswered while filming the entire first season of the show. The actress brought the news to light in an Instagram post on Sunday, specifically naming the show’s hair department, an unnamed series guest star, and executive producers for bullying and harassment.
"Throughout the filming of the pilot, I experienced Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments from the hair department and bullying from Executive Producers," Williamson wrote in a post on her official Instagram account. "During the Season, it continued along with Sexual Harassment from a recurring guest star and the racist commentary & bullying from the Hair Dept. Head escalated into Sexual Assault at our Wrap party."
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Did a guest star sexually assault Williamson?
Williamson also shared that her repeated complaints were turned a deaf ear by the creator and showrunner of the show, Alexi Hawley. He reportedly refused to take any action and the constant complaints by Williamson didn't reach human resources. She also added that the only action that was only taken was with the hair department head about the alleged sexual assault, but stressed that an "entire year of outward racism/racially charged language and bullying behavior in and out of the Hair and Makeup trailer," were turned a blind eye to.
The actress also mentioned that she was made to work with her alleged sexual harasser, an unnamed guest star. "I asked the Showrunner about this and he admitted to me that the actor had not been fired nor had he gotten HR involved," she wrote. "I was asked to return this season, and promised that 'everything was handled.' The investigation hadn’t even begun and Season 2 had already started filming. I turned it down and I walked. Now is the best time in the world to be a woman and I have a platform so it’s time to use my Voice."
ABC Studios and eOne are currently investigating the claims
A spokesperson from ABC made a statement about the entire saga that went down, talked about the allegations and claims, and shared how important it is for them to create a healthy working environment. They further stated, "The allegations involve a production from Entertainment One. In late June, eOne 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," according to Variety.
What's 'The Rookie' about?
The ABC show is inspired by a true story and walks the audience through the life of John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD. Nolan moves to Los Angeles at a peak career age to start from the ground up and fulfill his dream of becoming a cop. Afton Williamson played Talia Bishop, who is a newly promoted training officer and her first assignment is to train Nathan Fillion's John Nolan, the forty-year-old rookie.
