Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton speak out after Mark Schwahn's firing from "The Royals"
Former "One Tree Hill" stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton spoke out after their ex-boss, producer Mark Schwahn, got the boot from "The Royals." Bush and Burton were among the 18 women who co-signed a letter accusing Schwahn of sexual harassment. At the time, they said in the letter, "To use terminology that has become familiar as the systemic reality of sexual harassment and assault has come more and more to light, Mark Schwahn's behavior over the duration of the filming of One Tree Hill was something of an 'open secret.'"
On Thursday, Lionsgate TV said in a statement about the showrunner, "We have concluded our investigation and Mark will not be returning to 'The Royals.' The 4th season of the show has already completed production and will air as scheduled on E! in the spring." Schwahn was suspended from the show in November following the accusations.
Bush and Burton tweeted about Schwahn's firing. Bush warned other predators that they would get their comeuppance. She said, "I hope this is a lesson that sometimes, even if it takes time, justice is served. You're next."
Burton explained how it important it is not to excuse sexual misconduct in any form.
"The reason we cannot condone 'degrees of harassment' is because one day you get your butt or boob grabbed at work," she tweeted. "And you laugh it off. You become conditioned." She also said that she was fortunate enough to work on shows like "White Collar" and "Lethal Weapon" where she was treated with respect.
