The Rookie star Afton Williamson won't return for season 2, following claims of sexual harassment and racial discrimination. Starring Firefly’s Nathan Fillion, ABC’s cop drama was recently renewed for a sophomore season expected to air this fall, however, one of its vital characters won't return due to numerous allegations of indecorous behavior on set.
Created by Alexi Hawley, The Rookie follows John Nolan (Fillion), a middle-aged man vying for a fresh start. Healing from a slew of failures, Nolan pursues of his dreams of becoming an LAPD officer. After graduating from the Police Academy, Nolan attempts to navigate the unpredictable hazards that come with the job, while being the oldest rookie on the force. Highly ambitious training officer Talia Bishop (Williamson), is assigned to Nolan and aspires to be promoted to chief of police. Known for her work in Man on a Ledge, The Following, and HBO’s The Night Of, Williamson synced well with the rest of The Rookie’s sizeable cast, which included Alyssa Diaz, Eric Winter, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’ Neil, and Titus Makin Jr. Fresh off of ABC’s announcement that The Rookie would return for a season 2, Williamson has decided to quit.
According to THR, Williamson allegedly experienced racially-charged inappropriate remarks from the hair department. Williamson states she also encountered racial discrimination from the executive producers, which began with the pilot shoot and continued for the duration of filming. Reportedly, Williamson’s mistreatment exacerbated when she was sexually harassed by a recurring guest star. After filing a report, and discussing the harassment with showrunner Hawley, Williamson says the incidents didn't stop. Furthermore, the issues escalated at the show’s wrap party, where Williamson claims she was sexually assaulted. Williamson took to Instagram to explain her decision to walk away from The Rookie. Check out her post below:
TV Line reports that ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke came forward to address the horrendous claims. Burke states of Williamson’s allegations: “I don’t have a lot of answers. I learned alongside my colleagues at the end of June that there are allegations and that an investigation had been launched by eOne and I’m waiting for the results of that investigation.” Burke expressed hope that the investigation would produce trustworthy results.
Since the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, many allegations have come to light regarding various instances of sexual harassment and racial discrimination, as well as physical and emotional abuse. It’s allowed victims the opportunity to share their stories and seek justice, but the problem has hardly been fixed. The investigation of Williamson’s claims remains ongoing. It'll be interesting to see how the upcoming season of The Rookie plays out, and how the show will address the undoubtedly haunting absence of Williamson's Talia Bishop in season 2.
Source: THR/Afton Williamson/TVLine