One Tree Hill is back in the news these days…
… for all the wrong reasons.
Earlier this week, all the women who starred on this former CW hit came out and penned an open letter that accused creator Mark Schwahn of sexual harassment.
It detailed how uncomfortable he made everyone feel on set via inappropriate touching and various comments and even in showing off nude pictures of the women with whom he was sleeping.
We recap this ugly story below, while also featuring the supporting statements made by James Lafferty and other male co-stars on the series:
1. The History Behind One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill ran for nine seasons and wrapped up in April of 2012. It’s one of the most beloved shows in CW history.
2. The Complaint:
In a letter signed by 17 actresses and former One Tree Hill co-workers, the women write of Schwahn: “Many of us were, to varying degrees, manipulated psychologically and emotionally. More than one of us is still in treatment for post-traumatic stress. Many of us were put in uncomfortable positions and had to swiftly learn to fight back, sometimes physically, because it was made clear to us that the supervisors in the room were not the protectors they were supposed to be.”
3. Moreover:
The letter also alleges that Schwahn spoke to women on set in ways that were “deeply upsetting, to traumatizing, to downright illegal,” and alleged that they were put in positions that made them feel “physically unsafe.”
4. It Was Signed By:
Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Danneel Harris, Michaela McManus, Kate Voegele, Daphne Zuniga, India de Beaufort, Bevin Prince, Jana Kramer, Shantel Van Santen, Allison Munn; along with “Brave Crew And All the rest of the Women We Worked With Who Are Finding Their Voices as We Speak.”
5. What the Men are Saying
Here is the message of support written by former co-lead James Lafferty.
6. And Lee Norris
“Much love to our brother bear #LeeNorris, who has always been supportive. He’s one of the good ones too. #BurnItDownSis,” wrote Sophia Bush in response to this note.