Transparent to kill off Jeffrey Tambor's character in its musical final episode

Another show is killing off its main character after the lead actor became embroiled in scandal.
Amazon's Transparent will kill off Jeffrey Tambor's Maura Pfefferman in its upcoming final episode, creator Jill Soloway confirmed to The Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
Tambor in 2017 was accused of sexual harassment by three women. He denied the allegations but said in a statement that "given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don't see how I can return to Transparent." He was later officially fired from the show after Amazon conducted an investigation into the claims.
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.
A normal fifth season of Transparent was originally expected, but it was delayed after Tambor's departure. Nearly two years later, the show will return this fall with a feature-length musical episode, which Amazon said "begins with the passing of Maura" and will "follow the Pfefferman family as they come together in their grief and celebrate her life." It will air in the fall.
Tambor said last year he was "profoundly disappointed in Amazon's handling of these false accusations against me." Although he was fired from Transparent, he was not removed from Netflix's Arrested Development, which debuted its most recent batch of episodes in March.
Transparent's finale is the latest instance of a series killing off a lead character after its star was accused of sexual misconduct. Netflix's House of Cards killed Kevin Spacey's character last fall and centered the final season around Robin Wright's Claire Underwood instead. Likewise, ABC continued Roseanne as the spin-off The Conners, killing off Roseanne Barr's character after firing her over a racist tweet.
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 8, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - trade wars, healthcare costs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Marbled tea eggs recipe
The Week Recommends With a beautiful exterior, these eggs are also marked by their soft yolk
By The Week UK Published
-
The Washington Post: kowtowing to Trump?
Talking Point The newspaper's opinion editor has handed in his notice following edict from Jeff Bezos
By The Week UK Published
-
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
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
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
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
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
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published