Amazon Studios says Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor won’t be on the series when it returns for its fifth season, prompting the Emmy winner to denounce what he called false accusations and the studio’s handling of the matter.
The decision, confirmed Thursday by an Amazon spokeswoman, followed the conclusion of an internal investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.
READ MORE: Jeffrey Tambor hasn’t cut ties with ‘Transparent’ yet
“I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling of these false accusations against me,” Tambor said in a statement. “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 castmates. 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.”
Tambor added that he is left to surmise that the investigation was flawed and biased by a “toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set.”
“As I have consistently stated, I deeply regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone and I will continue to vehemently defend myself. I also deeply regret that this ground-breaking show, which changed so many lives, is now in jeopardy. That, to me, is the biggest heartbreak,” he said.
READ MORE: Jeffrey Tambor says he can’t see a return to ‘Transparent’ amid sexual misconduct allegations
The claims against Tambor were made last year by Tambor’s former assistant and an actress on Transparent, which is about a transgender woman and her family.
Tambor denied the accusations at that time but said that in light of them he didn’t see how he could return to the show.
Series creator Soloway said in a statement that action was being taken to ensure the series’ workplace “respects the safety and dignity of every individual.”
Tambor, 73, won two Emmy Awards for his role as a retired professor who is transgender and transitions late in life, and the impact that has on her grown children.
READ MORE: Jeffrey Tambor accused of sexual harassment by ‘Transparent’ co-star
It is yet to be revealed how the show will continue without Tambor portraying the main character, Maura. It has been noted that a fifth season of Transparent was in production when the allegations first surfaced.
There are numerous reasons why some actors have to be replaced in shows. Some stars step in to play the same character after scheduling conflicts arise. Other reasons include stars not agreeing with the script or other times some set drama results in an actor being fired and the original actor has to leave.
READ MORE: ‘Transparent’ Season 4 trailer: Maura takes a major life step
Some instances of actors stepping in for each other include:
Janet Hubert-Whitten played the first Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air but was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid after Season 3.
Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men when Charlie Sheen left after eight seasons. Kutcher played millionaire Walden Schmidt after Sheen’s character was killed off.
Sheen replaced Michael J. Fox on Spin City 2000 after Fox revealed he had Parkinson’s disease and had to retire.
Drew Carey replaced Bob Barker on The Price Is Right in 2007.
Eric Forman’s older sister, Laurie, was played by Lisa Robin Kelly for most of her time on That ’70s Show, but she was replaced with Christina Moore during the sixth season.
Lecy Goranson was cast as the original Rebecca “Becky” Conner-Healy, Roseanne’s oldest daughter on Roseanne. Goranson played Becky through Season 5 but she quit the show to attend college and Sarah Chalke came in to replace her.
Riverdale’s Reggie Mantle was played by Ross Butler during the first season and Charles Melton on Season 2.
Claire Foy played Queen Elizabeth for the first two season’s of Netflix’s The Crown but Olivia Colman was cast as the Queen for the third and fourth seasons.
Game of Thrones‘ Gregor Clegane, otherwise known as The Mountain, has been played by three different actors —Conan Stevens, Ian Whyte and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson — during the show’s seven seasons.
—With files from the Associated Press
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