Skip to main content
Tags: abc | the rookie | afton williamson | sexual harassment | racial discrimination

Star Quits TV Show, Claims Harassment, Discrimination

Afton Williamson stands on the red carpet, posing for a photo
Afton Williamson (Willy Sanjuan/AP)

By    |   Monday, 05 August 2019 01:19 PM EDT

Afton Williamson, star of the TV show "The Rookie," has quit the ABC crime series, claiming she faced sexual harassment and racial discrimination on set during the first season. The actress announced her departure Sunday in a lengthy Instagram post.

"I owe it to you my amazing fans to share the Truth," Williamson wrote of her decision not to return to season two of the series.

"I experienced Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments from the hair department and bullying from Executive Producers."

Williamson accused a "recurring guest star" of sexual harassment while further claiming the head of the hair department participated in bullying and racist commentary, which escalated into sexual assault. The actress said, although she had alerted the showrunner, her claims were reportedly not addressed.

"The Hair Dept. Head was fired ONLY after the sexual assault and NOT for an entire year of outward racism/racially charged language and bullying behavior in and out of the Hair and Makeup trailer," Williamson wrote. "HR protocol was never adhered to following the above reports given by me to my Showrunner/EP and an investigation was never issued for any of my claims."

An investigation had not been launched by the time filming of season two of "The Rookie" had begun, which is why Williamson said she chose to quit the show.

"I was asked to return this season, and promised that 'everything was handled,'" she wrote. "I turned it down and I walked."

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Entertainment One, the lead studio of "The Rookie," had launched an ongoing investigation into Williamson's claims, although it remains unclear if that was before or after her departure.

ABC responded to the allegations in a statement.

"The allegations involve a production from Entertainment One," a spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. "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," an ABC spokesperson said in a statement."

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

Newsfront
Afton Williamson, star of the TV show "The Rookie," has quit the ABC crime series, claiming she faced sexual harassment and racial discrimination on set during the first season.
abc, the rookie, afton williamson, sexual harassment, racial discrimination
339
2019-19-05
Monday, 05 August 2019 01:19 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved