An hour after CBS renewed “Bull,” Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television has dropped out of the drama.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed that Amblin is no longer attached to the show, but would not comment on its reason.
Last year, it was revealed that CBS agreed to pay Eliza Dushku a multimillion-dollar settlement following her complaint that she was written off the drama after she confronted series star Michael Weatherly about multiple instances of inappropriate behavior.
Spielberg and Amblin TV co-heads Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey served as executive producers on “Bull” for its first three seasons. CBS did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment. “Bull” was renewed, along with 5 other shows, for next season earlier on Thursday.
In November of last year, The New York Times reported CBS settled with Dushku for $9.5 million — CBS confirmed a settlement, but not the amount — citing a draft of a report by independent law firms investigating the culture at CBS at the request of the company’s board. Dushku, who was tapped to a play major role with the possibility of becoming a full-time cast member, was soon written off the show after she confronted Weatherly over comments she said made her uncomfortable, according to the report. According to Dushku, Weatherly made comments about her appearance in front of the crew. She also said he made a rape joke and a comment about a threesome.
“During the course of taping our show, I made some jokes mocking some lines in the script,” Weatherly said in the statement at that time. “When Eliza told me that she wasn’t comfortable with my language and attempt at humor, I was mortified to have offended her and immediately apologized. After reflecting on this further, I better understand that what I said was both not funny and not appropriate and I am sorry and regret the pain this caused Eliza.”
After going through mediation, the network agreed to a confidential settlement to the tune of $9.5 million, roughly the salary Dushku would have made over four seasons, the Times reported.
Deadline was first to report of Amblin Television’s dropping out.