Danny Masterson will no longer be a part of Netflix's 'The Ranch.'
Danny Masterson will no longer be a part of Netflix's The Ranch.
In a statement to ET on Tuesday, a Netflix spokesperson revealed that the 41-year-old actor has been written out of the show. The news comes after reports broke in March that Masterson is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department over multiple sexual assault allegations stemming from the early 2000s. Masterson has denied the allegations against him.
“As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of The Ranch," the statement reads. "Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him."
Masterson called the allegations against him "outrageous" in a statement to The Huffington Post.
“I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix’s decision to write my character off of The Ranch," the statement reads. "From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one. In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, in the current climate, it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused. I understand and look forward to clearing my name once and for all."
Three of the four women who have accused Masterson --a practicing Scientologist -- of sexual assault were members of the Church of Scientology at the time they say they were raped, according to multiple reports.
The firing also comes after the Huffington Post published a story on Monday reporting that a Netflix executive told a woman the company didn't believe Masterson's accusers, before the woman revealed herself to be one of the accusers.
“While he was coaching a youth soccer match today, Mr. Yeatman -- a Netflix kids’ programming executive -- was approached by a stranger who did not identify herself or explain her connection to Danny Masterson,” the statement read. “Mr. Yeatman’s comments were careless, uninformed and do not represent the views of the company. Further, he would have no insights into decision making on The Ranch. We are aware of the allegations against Danny Masterson and we are following the current investigation, and will respond if developments occur.”
Masterson has starred in The Ranch alongside his former That '70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher since the show's debut in 2016. He has been married to actress Bijou Phillips since 2011.
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