“The Royals” star Elizabeth Hurley has released a statement addressing the sexual harassment allegations against series creators and showrunner Mark Schwahn.
In the open letter shared via social media on Thursday, Hurley wrote that she was “immensely saddened” by the allegations and said she never personally experienced harassment by Schwahn.
“I have loved working alongside Alexandra [Park] and Mark for four years while shooting ‘The Royals,’” Hurley wrote, “and had absolutely no idea that she was feeling frightened and sexually intimidated by Mark during this time.”
“I have nevet thought of myself as unobservant, in fact quite the opposite, but I missed this and feel like I have let down a younger cast member,” she continued. “I could have helped her. I would have helped her. But I didn’t know.”
Hurley’s statement comes a day after Park shared her own response to the allegations against Schwahn, saying that she had also “been exposed to this reprehensible behavior.”
Earlier this week, the female cast and crew members of Schwahn’s last show, “One Tree Hill,” accused him of inappropriate behavior toward women during the show’s seven-season run. On Wednesday, Lionsgate, which produces the show, said it had suspended Schwahn as it conducts an investigation into his behavior.
Following their lead, 25 women from “The Royals” signed an open letter accusing Schwahn of similar behavior.
“Yes, he flirts and tells risque jokes — but so do I,” Hurley said. “To hear that there was more than this is a shocking surprise,” Hurley wrote. “I never witnessed it. The set of The Royals was a very happy one, full of laughter and fun. Mark was always in the the centre of this and it seemed to me that the cast and crew had the most fun when Mark was directing an episode.”
“I may have failed Alexandra but it won’t happen again on my watch,” she wrote.
I have loved working on The Royals. I am devastated by recent reports. This is my statement. pic.twitter.com/7c7VCAgPjr
— Elizabeth Hurley (@ElizabethHurley) November 16, 2017