‘Rookie’ Star Afton Williamson Quits ABC Series Over Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination

“Rookie” star Afton Williamson has called it quits on the primetime drama because of the sexual harassment and racial discrimination she allegedelly experienced during the show’s first season.

In an Instagram post Sunday, Williamson detailed how she “experienced racial discrimination/racially charged inappropriate comments from the hair department” while filming of the show’s pilot. 

The actress said she was also sexually harassed by a recurring guest star, bullied by executive producers and sexually assaulted by a crew member at a wrap party.

“After my initial report of sexual harassment, I was assured that the actor would be fired,” said Williamson of the guest star. “I was also asked to film with him the very next day as a courtesy to the script, even though we had not begun filming the episode yet.”

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: El Paso Massacre Death Toll Now 22; Trump Blames Video Games – WATCH

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I will not be returning for Season 2 of The Rookie. I owe it to you my amazing fans to share the Truth. Throughout the filming of the pilot, I experienced Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments from the hair department and bullying from Executive Producers. 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.The Sexual Harassment though reported directly to the Showrunner/EP remained undocumented and was not reported to HR as promised. The Hair Dept. Head was fired ONLY after the sexual assault and NOT for an entire year of outward racism/racially charged language and bullying behavior in and out of the Hair and Makeup trailer. HR protocol was never adhered to following the above reports given by me to my Showrunner/EP and an investigation was never issued for any of my claims. The only time I was asked to participate in an investigation was after a meeting I called in June following our Season 2 announcement. 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. After my initial report of sexual harassment, I was assured that the actor would be fired. I was also asked to film with him the very next day as a courtesy to the script, even though we had not begun filming the episode yet. This actor reappeared on our call sheet at the end of the season, I was even written in scenes with him. I asked the Showrunner about this and he admitted to me that the actor had not been fired nor had he gotten HR involved. 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. Strength comes from within. It comes from Above. “Greater is He that is within Me than he that is in the world” ️?

A post shared by Afton Williamson (@therealaftonw) on Aug 4, 2019 at 1:12am PDT

She accuses showrunner Alexi Hawley of not passing on her complaints to human resources, and claims the head of the hair department was only fired after a “sexual assault incident” that occurred at the show’s wrap party.

ABC Studios responded Sunday to the allegations in a statement, referring to its production partners, Entertainment One.

“The allegations involve a production from Entertainment One,” the network said. “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.”

Entertainment One promised to launch an investigation into the accusations. “The safety of working environments is a top priority for us, and we take this matter very seriously,” the statement reads in part. “We have initiated an independent investigation which is ongoing and as such, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”

Read Afton’s full IG post above.

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!