The Rookie star Afton Williamson has quit the ABC series after her reports of racism, and sexual misconduct was ignored by top brass.
Williamson used Instagram to let fans know what she endured while filming the hit drama. She outlined several allegations of bullying and harassment by the hair department. There are also claims of the same type of behavior by an unnamed guest star, all of which went ignored by the showrunner.
“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,” the actress began her very lengthy message.
Wowww @therookie!! I was watching because of her – great actress. Lost a fan. @ABC https://t.co/CvqpgcZ35s
— Shaquayla Mims (@shaquaylamims) August 4, 2019
Fans of the ABC dram know Williamson played training officer Talia Bishop on the show. She was paired with Nathan Fillion’s character, John Nolan who joins the Los Angeles Police Department as a rookie in his mid-forties.
Williamson went on to speak openly about life was like for her on set.
“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,” she concluded.
The actress continued to reveal the proper HR protocol was never followed after she continuously complained. Williamson was only asked once to participate in a meeting to discuss her allegations and have an official investigation conducted. It quickly became apparent to Williams that the showrunner had not adequately reported her claims.
When she complained about the sexual harassment, she endured from a guest star, Williamson was promised the person would be fired. However, at the end of the season, the guest star was back on set and in a scene with Williamson.
“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 explained.
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There has been no comment yet from ABC Studios or even show star Fillion, regarding actress Afton Williamson leaving The Rookie or her allegations of racism and sexual harassment.
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