Jeffrey Tambor is officially gone from Transparent, Amazon Studios’ breakout transgender-themed series, the studio confirmed Thursday.
The move doesn’t exactly come as a surprise.
“Given the politicised atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to Transparent,” Tambor said in November after one transgender woman and then another accused him of sexual harassment — allegations he denied. An investigation was promptly launched.
His status became less clear in early December when his publicist told the New York Times he had no intention of quitting the show.
“I have great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on Transparent is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires,” series creator Jill Soloway said Thursday in a statement, referring respectively to Tambor’s former assistant and an actress who appeared on the show, both of whom accused the actor of misconduct.
Tambor won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for his work during four seasons of Transparent, where he played Maura Pfefferman, a college professor who in retirement comes out as a transgender woman.
“We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for Transparent since its inception,” Soloway continued, “and remain heartbroken about the pain and mistrust their experience has generated in our community. We are taking definitive action to ensure our workplace respects the safety and dignity of every individual, and are taking steps to heal as a family.”
