EXCLUSIVE UPDATED: Greg Spottiswood, creator, executive producer and co-showrunner of Everyone gets up, was released from the CBS legal drama by the Warner Bros. series producer. Television, Deadline knew. He left the program after an investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct in the series ‘writers’ room, including the use of offensive language that, according to sources, sparked accusations of racism, which were examined.
“Warner Bros. Television relieved Everyone gets up executive producer Greg Spottiswood of his duties, with immediate effect, ”the studio said in a statement to Deadline. “Executive producer Dee Harris-Lawrence will continue to serve as the showrunner for the series, working closely with executive producers Michael M. Robin and Len Goldstein. We remain committed, at all times, to providing a safe and inclusive work environment in our productions and for all employees. “
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Spottiswood was also dropped by its APA agency.
“Greg Spottiswood is no longer a customer,” said a spokesman in a statement to Deadline. “APA is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion at the highest levels, and we support our customers and industry partners in our commitment to further this mission.”
Photo: Monty Brinton / CBS
Spottiswood was involved in a controversy in the writers’ room during the first season, when five of Everyone gets up ‘The seven original writers – including the program’s three highest-ranked color writers led by co-showrunner Sunil Nayar – left in late 2019 after clashes with Spottiswood over the representation of the series of people of color. At the time, Warner Bros. TV conducted a review of the work environment that said “not to reveal conduct that would justify the removal of Spottiswood”, although the studio said it “identified areas for improvement and implemented procedures and protocols in response to the findings”, including hiring a coach corporate, a black woman, to work with Spottiswood.
After Nayar’s departure at the beginning of season 1, Spottiswood was also paired with a new co-showrunner, David Makes ManHarris-Lawrence in December 2019.
But, according to sources, the mood in the (now virtual) writers’ room did not improve in Season 2, and some writers were offended by comments that Spottiswood allegedly made that were perceived as insensitive, especially to colored writers. Complaints about Spottiswood’s behavior led to a new investigation by Warner Bros. TV, which resulted in his resignation.
Spottiswood’s departure comes after the Everyone gets up The writers’ room finished its work in Season 2. Harris-Lawrence will serve as a showrunner for the remainder of the production and post-production of Season 2, which is currently filming Episode 15 of its 17-episode order. CBS has not made a decision to renew for most of its series, including Everyone gets up, for the next season.
Everyone gets up it is a rare broadcast drama with a black protagonist. Featuring a diverse cast, it stars Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael, an idealistic former prosecutor and newly appointed Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.
The first season Everyone gets up the exodus of writers was reported by The New York Times in August. Shernold Edwards, told the newspaper that the show “inaccurately portrayed how a black woman would think or act” and that she left the program in November after realizing that “we had to do a lot behind the scenes to prevent these scripts from being racist and offensive. “
At the time, Spottiswood issued a statement. “I recognize that I can have a rhetorical and professorial tone in the room, and that it can be perceived by some as condescending, and that I can be defensive in creative conversations and debates,” he said. “I remain strongly committed to improving my style and communication skills and being a more inclusive leader – ensuring that writers and artists are not only heard, but feel heard, respected, safe and valued.