Jeffrey Tambor leaving Transparent after sexual harassment allegations

Jeffrey Tambor’s future on Transparent is now official after days of speculation — the award-winning actor will no longer be a part of the show.

In a new statement (per Deadline), Tambor (whose performance as Maura in part put the Jill Soloway created show on the map) confirmed that he will depart due to the sexual harassment accusations levied against him over the past two weeks. The tone of the statement is what surprises us:

“Playing Maura Pfefferman on Transparent has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life. What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago.”

“I’ve already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue … Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to Transparent.”

The words that are the most unusual within this statement are clearly “this is no longer the job I signed up for,” suggesting as though the job is the thing that has changed. Tambor has denied the allegations of harassment, and with that we didn’t exactly expect to see him being overly remorseful beyond saying he holds “deep regret.” However, why not say something like the following if he genuinely believes the accusations are untrue — “while I do not agree with the allegations made against me, I believe that my participation in the show would be an unwelcome distraction the incredible cast and crew I have worked with. I wish them all the best.” There is a defiance in his comments that feels unsettling.

Tambor is the second major TV star to lose their job following accusations of harassment. Kevin Spacey also is done at House of Cards after being the star of it from the very beginning.

As for where this leaves Transparent, we have already reported that the series was weighing a future without him and was looking to kill off the Maura character for their upcoming season. We’ll see what the future ends up holding for this show.

What do you make of Tambor’s departure, and the nature of the statement that he gave? Sound off in the comments.