Netflix backs Aziz despite allegations
Netflix is standing by Master of None and Aziz Ansari despite a sexual-misconduct allegation against him earlier this year.
Cindy Holland, a programming executive for the streaming service, said Sunday there’s been thought given to a third season for the comedy starring and cocreated by Ansari.
She added that Netflix would “certainly be happy” to make another Master of None season with Ansari, but didn’t commit to it or indicate what the production or release timeline might be.
The show about a young, single actor in New York last aired in 2017. The story follows 30 year-old Dev (Ansari) whose life goes by in a humorous, yet meaningful sequence of events.
The allegation that Ansari acted improperly on a date was published in January of this year by website Babe. net, which didn’t identify the accuser.
The report sparked a public debate, with some saying the claim shed light on aggressive sexual behaviour and others dismissing it as a bad date that should have remained private.
Apology tendered In a January statement, Ansari acknowledged that he apologised to a woman in 2017 when she told him about her discomfort during an encounter that he believed to be consensual.
Holland was also asked at a TV critics’ meeting about the future of Arrested Development, a Netflix series shadowed by sexual misconduct allegations against star Jeffrey Tambor stemming from his tenure on Amazon’s Transparent.
There’s been no discussion about whether there will be another season of Arrested or if Tambor would be involved, she said.
Tambor was fired from Transparent after an actress on the show and Tambor’s assistant accused him of inappropriate touching and propositions, allegations that the actor has denied.
Arrested Development star Jessica Walter said in an interview that Tambor verbally harassed her on the set.
At the Television Critics Association’s summer meeting on Saturday, Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke said a fifth season of Transparent is planned but declined to say what the creative direction would be without lead actor Tambor.
Netflix’s Holland expressed approval of the upcoming final season of House of Cards, which will wrap its acclaimed run without star Kevin Spacey. He was fired after at least 24 men accused him of sexual misconduct or assault.
End of House of Cards House of Cards is ending with season six as planned, said Holland, adding that Netflix is “really proud” of the work that star Robin Wright and the rest of the cast and crew have done.
Wright’s character, wife to Spacey’s politician, will be a focus of the last season.