Jeffrey Tambor Confirms ‘Transparent’ Exit Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations
It seemed unlikely of Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor to return for Season 5 in the wake of multiple harassment allegations, and the actor has now made the decision himself. Tambor confirms his exit from the Emmy-winning series, leaving its future unclear.
It was earlier in November that Tambor’s former assistant leveled charges of sexual harassment and assault; most recently corroborated and expanded upon by star Trace Lysette. Amazon had only confirmed an internal investigation of the Transparent lead, but Tambor now tells Deadline a return to the series seems impossible:
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.
That’s not the most graceful of goodbyes by a long shot, though it’s worth noting that both transgender star Lysette and writer Our Lady J made clear that Transparent should reorient itself around transgender performers and characters, rather than continue with cisgender Tambor. The series had already been renewed for Season 5, but was not in production when allegations against Tambor broke.
Neither Amazon nor creator Jill Soloway have offered comment just yet (we reached out directly to Soloway as well), but stay tuned for more on Transparent’s future as it develops.
Check Out 100 TV Facts You May Not Know!