SMILF creator Frankie Shaw has vowed to handle her show’s sex scenes with more care after misconduct allegations sparked an investigation into the Showtime dramedy.
The Golden Globe-nominated actress appeared on Today alongside costar Rosie O’Donnell and addressed the accusations of misconduct on her set made by former series regular, Samara Weaving, who left the show last month after claiming that her contract was breached during the filming of a sex scene in the upcoming second season.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Shaw instructed video monitors to be turned on even though the set was supposed to be closed, prompting Weaving to file a complaint with Disney and SAG-AFTRA. A human resources investigation later conducted by ABC Studios found no evidence of misconduct.
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Now, Shaw says she’s grateful for the messy ordeal because it taught her valuable lessons in running a show.
She explained on Wednesday:
“This was my first time doing this job. We moved fast, and I was learning on the go. I’m just really grateful that I can take these lessons and be more of an aware and attuned showrunner moving forward.”
Voicing her support for the rising female showrunner, O’Donnell added:
“There’s a family feel on the set. The great thing about Frankie is she addressed the stuff and the network did, and everybody’s okay.”
Sounds like O’Donnell’s opinion has drastically changed since the scandal broke last month.
At the time, sources told THR that O’Donnell contacted Showtime execs to express concern about a “chaotic and troubled set” being run by Shaw, particularly the creator’s treatment of Weaving.
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Another source told the publication:
“There are a lot of shows where people are angry at each other and then it’s over and then you celebrate the work. This was not like that. People were really traumatized. It was pretty upsetting.”
After the investigation’s conclusion, Shaw released a statement saying she was hurt to learn that anyone felt “uncomfortable” under her watch and was committed to “creating a workplace in which all people feel safe and heard.”
It’s safe to say Showtime will be watching closely when SMILF starts filming Season three.
Watch the interview (below) to see what else Shaw and O’Donnell had to say.
Season two of SMILF set to premiere on Sunday, Jan. 20.
[Image via NBC/Eugene Powers/WENN.]
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