Amazon’s award-winning comedy drama Transparent is pressing ahead with its fifth season, as news breaks that its star – Jeffrey Tambor – has been released from the show.
Tambor had been facing sexual harassment allegations, that he denied. Amazon has thus been investigating the claims, and confirmed on Thursday that Tambor would not be back for the new series of the show.
Transparent creator Jill Soloway said in a statement that “I have great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on Transparent is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires. We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for Transparent since its inception and remain heartbroken about the pain and mistrust their experience has generated in our community. We are taking definitive action to ensure our workplace respects the safety and dignity of every individual, and are taking steps to heal as a family”.
Tambor, for his part, has responded saying that “I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling of these false accusations against me”.
“I am even more disappointed in Jill Soloway’s unfair characterization of me as someone who would ever cause harm to any of my fellow cast mates. In our four-year history of working together on this incredible show, these accusations have NEVER been revealed or discussed directly with me or anyone at Amazon. Therefore, I can only surmise that the investigation against me was deeply flawed and biased toward the toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set. As I have consistently stated, I deeply regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone and I will continue to vehemently defend myself. I also deeply regret that this ground-breaking show, which changed so many lives, is now in jeopardy. That, to me, is the biggest heartbreak.”
Season five of Transparent is expected to go into production later this year.