Yahoo News Buffy's Eliza Dushku sues CBS over sexual harassment claims
Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Eliza Dushku has been awarded $9.5 million by US network CBS, following claims she was written out of drama series Bull after confronting a co-star for inappropriate behaviour.
The settlement was reached back in January of this year, according to a report in The New York Times, after the network agreed to pay Dushku the amount she would have made over four seasons of the show if she had not been dismissed.
Dushku, who played Faith in both Buffy and spin-off series Angel, was believed to be in the running for a full-time role in the drama before she confronted series lead Michael Weatherly over a number of inappropriate comments.
Dushku alleged that Weatherly had made comments about her appearance in front of crew members, and had also made 'jokes' about rape and a threesome.
Weatherly, who is perhaps best known for his work in NCIS, has responded to Dushku's claims, saying that he is "mortified to have offended her".
"During the course of taping our show, I made some jokes mocking some lines in the script," he said in a statement.
"When Eliza told me that she wasn’t comfortable with my language and attempt at humour, I was mortified to have offended her and immediately apologised. After reflecting on this further, I better understand that what I said was both not funny and not appropriate and I am sorry and regret the pain this caused Eliza."
In a separate statement to The Wrap, a spokesperson for CBS confirmed that Dushku had been paid for the work she would have received as a series regular.
"The allegations in Ms Dushku’s claims are an example that, while we remain committed to a culture defined by a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace, our work is far from done.
"The settlement of these claims reflects the projected amount that Ms Dushku would have received for the balance of her contract as a series regular, and was determined in a mutually agreed upon mediation process at the time," they said.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct. 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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