Jeffrey Tambor has announced his departure from “Transparent” as Amazon investigates sexual harassment allegations against the actor.
Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, both transgender actresses, have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations. While details on Barnes’ claims have not been made public, Lysette opened up about her allegations with Tambor on social media. She accuses Tambor of making sexual comments about her and for touching her inappropriately.
In a statement to Deadline, Tambor says he “doesn’t see” how he can return to the show and blames the “politicized atmosphere” of the set.
“Playing Maura Pfefferman on ‘Transparent’ has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life. What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago. I’ve already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue. Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to ‘Transparent,’” Tambor says.
“Transparent” writers had already started considering writing Tambor out of season five and changing the name of the show. However, Amazon and the show’s producers have yet to make an official announcement on Tambor’s departure.
