Amazon confirms that Jeffrey Tambor will not return to Transparent

The Emmy-winning dramedy Transparent is losing its main star, Amazon confirmed Thursday. Actor Jeffrey Tambor, who portrayed the transgender main character Maura Pfefferman, will not return to the show after being investigated for sexual harassment as Amazon declined to renew his contract.
Tambor's personal assistant Van Barnes first made the allegations against Tambor, followed by Tambor's Transparent co-star Trace Lysette in November. Tambor released two statements in response, expressing regret that his actions were "misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive" but denying any wrongdoing on his part. He also condemned the "politicized atmosphere" on the set of Transparent.
While all of the other cast members have been confirmed as returning to Transparent for its fifth season, the show will likely need to shift focus after losing the actor in its title role. It remains unclear how the show's plot will be affected by Tambor's dismissal, or whether this will be Transparent's last season.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Jill Soloway, the creator of Transparent, expressed "respect and admiration" for Tambor's accusers, Vulture reported, and announced that the show will be "taking steps to heal as a family."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Shivani is the editorial assistant at TheWeek.com and has previously written for StreetEasy and Mic.com. A graduate of the physics and journalism departments at NYU, Shivani currently lives in Brooklyn and spends free time cooking, watching TV, and taking too many selfies.
-
5 streetwise cartoons about defunding PBS
Cartoons Artists take on immigrant puppets, defense spending, and more
-
Dark chocolate macadamia cookies recipe
The Week Recommends These one-bowl cookies will melt in your mouth
-
Israel's plan to occupy Gaza
In Depth Operation Gideon's Chariots will see Israel sending thousands of troops into Gaza later this month to seize control of the strip
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia