“The Flash” actor Hartley Sawyer, who performs Ralph Dibny/The Elongated Man on The CW collection, has been ousted after a number of problematic Twitter posts lately resurfaced.
Sawyer’s Twitter account not exists, however The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly report his posts, shared previous to his work on “The Flash,” have been racist, homophobic, sexist and made reference to sexual assault.
“Hartley Sawyer won’t be returning for Season 7 of The Flash,” learn a press release issued to USA TODAY by the community, Warner Bros. Tv, Berlanti Productions and Eric Wallace, an government producer for the present. “With regard to Mr. Sawyer’s posts on social media, we don’t tolerate derogatory remarks that concentrate on any race, ethnicity, nationwide origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Such remarks are antithetical to our values and polices, which attempt and evolve to advertise a protected, inclusive and productive surroundings for our workforce.”
Sawyer, 35, issued an apology Could 30 via Instagram expressing regret to his followers.
“My phrases, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, have been hurtful, and unacceptable,” he wrote. “I’m ashamed I used to be able to these actually horrible makes an attempt to get consideration at the moment. I remorse them deeply.
“This was not acceptable conduct,” he continued. “I’m extremely sorry, ashamed and upset in myself for my ignorance again then. I wish to be very clear: this isn’t reflective of what I believe or who I’m now.”
“The Flash” showrunner Eric Wallace wrote in a press release shared late Monday by star Grant Gustin that Sawyer’s tweets “broke my coronary heart and made me mad as hell,” noting “they’re indicative of the bigger downside in our nation.”
Wallace vowed to “proceed to search out Black and Brown writers, administrators, actors and producers of all genders to assist inform FLASH tales. Their tales are a part of the American narrative, too, and should be heard.”
Gustin added that he was “shocked, saddened and offended” after seeing Sawyer’s posts.
“Phrases matter,” he wrote.
The day prior, Sawyer had shared a message on Instagram voicing his assist for the Black Lives Matter motion. “I’m white. I’ve privilege. For too lengthy, I’ve not used my platform to advocate for POC. I apologize to all my brothers and sisters.”
He additionally included a quote attributed to former Ohio state senator Nina Turner: “The burden can’t simply be on the backs of black individuals to take care of it.”
Sawyer’s firing comes at a time of nationwide protests spurred by the Could 25 demise of George Floyd resulting from police brutality.
Final week, the creator of The CW’s “Riverdale” vowed to to make modifications amid the decision for racial equality. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who additionally serves as an government producer, launched a press release to social media in assist of actress Vanessa Morgan, who expressed frustration with how black individuals are represented in media.
“Uninterested in how black individuals are portrayed in Media, bored with us being portrayed as thugs, harmful or offended scary individuals,” the actress mentioned in a statement shared to Twitter. “Uninterested in us additionally getting used as facet kick non dimensional characters to our white leads. Or solely used within the adverts for range however not truly within the present.”
“We hear Vanessa. We love Vanessa. She’s proper,” Aguirre-Sacasa mentioned in a press release of the actress, who has performed Toni Topaz since 2017. “We’re sorry and we make the identical promise to you that we did to her. We’ll do higher to honor her and the character she performs. In addition to all of our actors and characters of coloration.”
“Riverdale will likely be a part of the motion, not outdoors it.”
