BBC pulls Christmas special over rape claims against star
THE BBC has given in to mounting pressure and pulled an Agatha Christie drama from the Christmas schedule after one of its stars was accused of rape and sexual assault.
Ordeal By Innocence was due to air on Boxing Day with Ed Westwick in one of the lead roles but the BBC announced yesterday that the transmission would be postponed while Westwick is under investigation.
Two women have accused the British actor of attacking them at his US home in 2014. He denies the claims.
In a statement, the BBC said: “These are serious allegations which Ed Westwick has strenuously denied. The BBC is not making any judgment but until these matters are resolved we will not include Ordeal By Innocence in the schedules,” the statement said.
In addition, Westwick is no longer filming the BBC Two comedy series, White Gold. He was spotted filming last week, but the BBC said: “The independent production company making White Gold has informed us that Ed Westwick has paused from filming while he deals with these allegations.” Filming will continue without him. The BBC must now scramble to fill a significant hole in its Christmas schedule, with three prime time slots left empty. Options include moving a Call the Midwife special from Christmas Day to Boxing Day, and juggling festive episodes of Doctor Who, Mrs Brown’s Boys and Still Open All Hours.
On Tuesday, the BBC tweeted the first publicity picture of the drama,
featuring Westwick and Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson. It was hours after the first accusation against him was made public, and the tweet was deleted.
It is the third of seven planned Agatha Christie adaptations.
Kristina Cohen, an actress, claimed on Facebook that Westwick raped her in 2014. She claimed that she had visited his home and woke from a nap to find Westwick on top of her. The LAPD confirmed they were investigating.
Westwick responded: “I do not know this woman. I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape.”
A second woman then claimed on Facebook that she had been sexually assaulted at Westwick’s home. Westwick issued a second statement in which he said he was cooperating with authorities and would clear his name.
“It is disheartening and sad to me that as a result of two unverified and provably untrue social media claims, there are some in this environment who could ever conclude I have had anything to do with such vile and horrific conduct. I have absolutely not.”
Meanwhile, Ellen Page accused Brett Ratner, the X-men director, of instructing another female cast member to have sex with her, to confirm that she was a lesbian.
Page, now 30, was 18 at the time and had not publicly come out. She alleged that Ratner was repeatedly homophobic towards her, humiliating her in front of the rest of the crew. Ratner’s representative is yet to respond to The Daily Telegraph’s request for comment.
Also in the US Louis CK, the comedian, has admitted indecently exposing himself to several women, after a flood of sexual harassment claims. In a statement, the 50-year-old, said: “These stories are true” and claimed to be remorseful. “The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that irresponsibly.”