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Arrow's Amell reacts to producer harassment claims

Photo credit: Phillip Chin / Getty Images
Photo credit: Phillip Chin / Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Arrow's Stephen Amell is the latest star of the DC TV Universe to address the suspension of producer Andrew Kreisberg.

Kreisberg, who was key in developing Arrow and its spin-offs Supergirl, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, was indefinitely benched by Warner Bros last week while the studio investigates claims of sexual harassment from multiple staff members.

Any and all allegations have been strongly denied by Kreisberg, who said he's "proudly mentored both male and female colleagues for many years" without ever crossing sexual boundaries.

In the days since those allegations came to light, Supergirl actress Melissa Benoist, Legends of Tomorrow's Caity Lotz and Arrow's Emily Bett Rickards have all released statements condemning sexual harassment.

Photo credit: Monty Brinton / Getty Images
Photo credit: Monty Brinton / Getty Images

Stephen Amell - who is the defacto face of the ArrowVerse - took on the allegations head-on in a Facebook Live chat with fans on Monday (November 13), in which he made his stance clear.

"In situations like this, if you're not an active part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem. Period. That's it," he insisted. "We do our best to have the best possible work environment. We will continue to do so.

"Again, I echo the statements made by my friend and co-worker Emily Bett Rickards, Caity Lotz, Melissa Benoist and the chorus of others that have come forward and called for a safe, progressive, equal working environment."

Amell also assured fans that the casts of the various DC TV series had all recently met to talk through how the crews of each show can move forward.

"I have no interest in speaking about an ongoing investigation - but if you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm sure that you can figure it out - other than to say WB is conducting an investigation into what is being alleged against one of the producers on our show, and if they need my help in any way, shape or form, they will get it," he told viewers.

"I thought it was appropriate before I spoke to you, or before I spoke publicly, to speak with our cast and our crew, which I got the chance to do this morning.

"I certainly can't pontificate in an eloquent or such a succinct manner like Emily did, like Melissa did, like Caity Lotz did. I stand behind and fully support everything that they said."

He went on to say: "Their biggest strength and our biggest strength is working on it as a team. I think we can do this because we promote and champion a safe and progressive work environment.

"I told them this morning, and I tell you now - and I meant it - that if anyone ever feels anything less than 100% safe, or anyone feels as though they aren't allowed to express themselves and be the person that they are, that they should come to whomever they're supposed to go to, and I'll stand right beside them, right behind them. I'll speak on their behalf, if need be."

Photo credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Photo credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

When Kreisberg's suspension was announced by Warner Bros on Friday, the writer flatly denied any wrongdoing: "I have made comments on women's appearances and clothes in my capacity as an executive producer, but they were not sexualised.

"I have proudly mentored both male and female colleagues for many years. But never in what I believe to be an unwanted way and certainly never in a sexual way."


Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.


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