Fox News Flash top headlines for August 4
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Actress Afton Williamson, who stars in the ABC drama “The Rookie,” announced Sunday she will not be returning to the show, citing sexual harassment and racial discrimination she allegedly experienced during the making of the first season.
She made the announcement that she is quitting the ABC crime series in an Instagram post on Sunday.
“I will not be returning for Season 2 of The Rookie,” Williamson wrote in the post. “I owe it to you my amazing fans to share the Truth.”
In the post, she outlined a series of claims against the show, including an accusation that she was sexually assaulted by the show's hair department head.
Williamson wrote, “bullying from the Hair Dept. Head escalated into Sexual Assault at our Wrap party.”
She added that she was sexually harassed by a recurring guest star and that executive producers allegedly bullied her “throughout the filming of the pilot.”
Williamson was highly critical of how her claims were handled, saying they weren't seriously investigated by the network.
“The Sexual Harassment though reported directly to the Showrunner/EP (Executive Producer) remained undocumented and was not reported to HR (Human Resources) as promised,” Williamson wrote on Sunday.
She continued: “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."
Williamson wrote that she was asked to return for Season 2 and was promised that “everything was handled.”
“The investigation hadn’t even begun and Season 2 had already started filming,” she wrote on Sunday. “I turned it down and I walked.”
She went on to say, “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.”
Entertainment One — the lead studio on The Rookie — launched an ongoing investigation into Williamson's claims, The Hollywood Reporter said, citing sources.
The magazine added that it was unclear if the investigation was opened before or after Williamson left the show.
An ABC Studios Spokesperson told Fox News in a statement that they are taking the matter "very seriously."
“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.”
Representatives for eOne did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment but a spokesperson released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter stating, “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.”
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“The Rookie,” which follows a man in his 40s at the Los Angeles Police Department, was picked up straight to series and renewed for a second season, according to the magazine.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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