‘Transparent’ delayed until 2019 following Jeffrey Tambor’s exit
Emmy-winning actor Jeffrey Tambor was fired from the show over sexual harassment allegations
Amazon’s Transparent television series may not return until next year.
Jeffrey Tambor, who played lead character Maura Pfefferman, was fired from the show by Amazon Studios last month after he was accused of sexual harassment by former assistant Van Barnes and co-star Trace Lysette.
Van Barnes accused the Emmy-winning actor of behaving in a sexually inappropriate manner in a private social media post. Soon after, Trace Lysette claimed Tambor had sexually harassed her on multiple occasions and claimed she felt like she was being “targeted” by him.
The series has been in turmoil ever since news of the allegations surfaced and though the show’s fifth season was due to air this year, it seems it’s been delayed.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, production on Transparent won’t resume until December this year, meaning that the upcoming season may not return until 2019.
It’s unclear how the show will address Tambor’s absence, but Transparent’s writing staff previously revealed that they had begun reworking the season following news of the accusations.
In a statement, show creator Jill Soloway said: “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.”
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Tambor criticised Amazon’s decision to drop him from the show. He said: “I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling of these false accusations against me,” he said.
“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.”