Actress Afton Williamson, who played on the ABC police drama “The Rookie,” responded to a statement released by Entertainment One, the company behind the series. The investigation came after Williamson claimed she was racially discriminated against and sexually harassed on-set.
Williamson made the claim in an August 4 Instagram post and said the discrimination came from the hair department head Sally Nicole Ciganovich.
She also claimed Demetrius Grosse, a recurring guest star on the show, sexually harassed her. And Williamson said she told the showrunner Alexi Hawley about the mistreatment, but he never reported it to human resources or made it a priority.
In that same message, Williamson said she would not be returning to season 2 of “The Rookie.”
But Entertainment One said its investigation determined there were no wrongdoings committed on-set and protocols were followed when it came to reporting the actress’s claims.
“As a result of the independent investigation, we have concluded that those identified in Ms. Williamson’s allegations did not conduct themselves in an unlawful manner or demonstrate behavior inappropriate for the workplace,” read the letter that was issued on Tuesday.
“It was also concluded that the executive producers, including showrunner Alexi Hawley, addressed matters of which they were made aware promptly and in a fair and reasonable manner,” the letter continued. “We recognize and respect that as individuals, the lens through which we view situations, interactions and comments, can differ based on our experiences and perspectives.”
Williamson responded to eOne’s letter Wednesday on Instagram and suggested a coverup was taking place.
“What saddens me the most is that the lengths that were taken to Deceive, Lie, and Cover Up the Truth, were far greater than those made to Protect and Maintain a Safe Working Environment for Employees,” she wrote.
“It’s Heartbreaking for everyone on that set; Past and Present. And for every Actor out there who Stands in the Face Of Harassment and Discrimination, Assault and Injustice,” she added. “As a Black Woman, an Artist, an Actor, in 2019. My Speaking the Truth, Standing up for myself, and Leaving an Unsafe Work Environment, Changed things for a lot of people.”
“In order to Be the Change, I want to see, I will Continue to Work so that Casts & Crews alike finally See Words Align With Action. We’ve got to Do Better as an Industry. It’s just Talk until you actually Do Something,” she concluded. ❤️”
