In a lengthy statement on Instagram, the actress playing Talia Bishop on the ABC series spills on the inappropriate comments from the hair department and the bullying from executive producers.
- Aug 5, 2019
AceShowbiz - Actress Afton Williamson has quit U.S. TV drama "The Rookie" after experiencing alleged discrimination and sexual assault on the set.
The TV star has released a scathing and lengthy statement via Instagram, in which she reveals she will not be returning to the show for a second season.
Detailing her awful experiences behind the camera, she claims she "experienced Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments from the hair department and bullying from Executive Producers" during the pilot episode of the show, starring Nathan Fillion, adding: "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."
Williamson claims she reported the harassment to an executive producer but it "remained undocumented and was not reported to HR (Human Resources) as promised."
The 34-year-old actress adds, "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."
Afton alleges the only time she was asked to participate in an investigation was after a meeting she called in June, following the announcement of the season two pick-up.
"This meeting included the Showrunner and two other producers as well as my agent and SAG-AFTRA Union Rep," she explains. "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."
She concludes her post by stating: "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'."
