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The Rookie star Afton Williamson claims racism and sexual misconduct on set forced her to quit ABC show

The actor said racial discrimination and sexual harassment remained largely ignored by the producers of the show

Ellie Harrison
Monday 05 August 2019 10:27 BST
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The Rookie star Afton Williamson has claimed that she was subject to racial discrimination and sexual harassment on the set of the ABC show.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Williamson alleged that she quit the police drama after experiencing racism and sexual harassment, which she said remained largely ignored by the producers of the show until sexual harassment by the head of the hair department escalated to sexual assault at the wrap party, and the person was fired.

Williamson’s allegations are now being investigated by production company eOne, which released the following statement: “We take claims of this nature very seriously. We have initiated an independent investigation which is ongoing and as such, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”

ABC Studios also published a statement, which reads: “The allegations involve a production from Entertainment One. In late June, eOne made us aware and informed us that they launched an investigation that is ongoing. The safety of working environments is a top priority for us, and we take this matter very seriously.”

Williamson played police training officer Talia Bishop in The Rookie, a show which follows Nathan Fillion as the oldest rookie at the Los Angeles Police Department.

She has also appeared in the series Shades of Blue and The Night Of.

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