After allegations surfaced late last year that actor Jeffrey Tambor had sexually harassed three women, those in charge of his Amazon series Transparent launched an investigation. Well, that investigation has finally concluded, and Tambor will not be returning to the drama.
Amazon revealed today that Jeffrey Tambor would not be continuing his Emmy-winning role as Maura Pfefferman on Transparent when the series returns for Season 5. In November of last year, sexual harassment allegations surfaced against Tambor from three women, including his former assistant and transgender actress Van Barnes, Transparent actress Trace Lysette and makeup artist Tamara Delbridge. Tambor vehemently denied the allegations at the time and, just a few days after the first allegations surfaced, issued a statement that made it seem he had left Transparent of his own accord, citing "the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set." Another statement issued by a spokesperson of Tambor's later revealed that he hadn't actually made a firm decision to leave the series, but now it appears that Tambor has no choice in the matter.
In a statement to The Wrap about Jeffrey Tambor's exit, Transparent's creator, Jill Soloway, thanked those who have supported the show as well as speaking about how the cast and crew are trying to move on, saying:
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. We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for Transparent since its inception 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.
Now that Tambor is off of the series, one of the main questions is how it will continue without him. His Maura was the transgender parent that the show's title referred to, and while the series did delve into the stories of other characters in her family, it will be interesting to see how the show removes its former centerpiece from the plot and, then, how the storytelling will be restructured for Season 5.
You can watch all of Transparent's previous seasons right now on Amazon. Season 5 was set to debut sometime this year, but right now we don't know if Jeffrey Tambor's dismissal will change that or not. To see what else you can watch on Amazon this year, check out our 2018 Amazon Prime schedule, and be sure to bookmark our midseason premiere schedule, as well.
