‘American Gigolo’ Showrunner David Hollander Let Go For 'Inappropriate Behavior'

On Saturday, David Hollander was dismissed from Showtime’s reboot of “American Gigolo.”

The news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter, which shared a statement with the outlet regarding his dismissal.

A spokesperson for Showtime told the outlet, “David Hollander is no longer on the drama series American Gigolo and Paramount Television Studios no longer has a producing relationship with him.”

Hollander was set to develop, write, direct, and executive produce the upcoming TV series, which starred “The Walking Dead” actor Jon Bernthal. The show is being produced by Paramount TV Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Hollander has had a long relationship with the network due to his role as showrunner for the series “Ray Donovan,” which had earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing. He also shared a WGA nomination for Best New Series. Hollander also co-wrote and directed the “Ray Donovan” feature-length film where season seven left off after its sudden cancellation.

Hollander had also created the TV series “Heartland” and “The Guardian,” in which he directed and executive produced multiple episodes.

According to Deadline, Hollander was dismissed due to allegations of misconduct. Sources who were reportedly close to the production of the series told the outline that the misconduct “involved comments made by Hollander that were not of sexual harassment nature.”

No further details have been disclosed at this time.

Production on the series is expected to continue, with co-executive producer David Bar Katz expected to step in as showrunner. Deadline reports that the series is about seven episodes into its ten-episode order. Although there have been reports that the series has been running behind schedule with scripts coming in late, it is not completely unusual for a high-budget series such as this.

Hollander had written and directed the pilot for the new series, which is a reimagining of the 1980 film of the same name based in the present day. Bernthal will play Julian Kaye, who is introduced fifteen years after he has been arrested for murder and is struggling to find his place in the modern-day Los Angeles sex industry. While he investigates the set-up that sent him to prison, he will also be trying to reconnect with his former flame, Michelle, played by Gretchen Mol.

The cast is also said to include Rosie O’Donnell, Lizzie Brocheré, Gabriel LaBelle, Leland Orser, and Wayne Brady.

Unfortunately, Hollander is not the only one who has been dismissed for inappropriate on-set conduct in the past month.

Actor Frank Langella has been removed from the production of the new Netflix horror series, “Fall of the House of Usher.” Producers investigated allegations of misconduct on set and decided to dismiss Langella, 84, after their investigation was completed, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Langella had been accused of sexual harassment after making “inappropriate remarks” to a female costar. The investigation was completed when the series was already halfway through production. As a result of his dismissal, Langella’s role will be recast and footage that Langella had shot over the past few months will not be used.

The 84-year-old actor had previously earned a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his role in 2008’s “Frost/Nixon.” Langella had been cast as Roderick Usher in the limited eight-episode series, which is inspired by several works by horror author Edgar Allan Poe.

According to Deadline, all previous scenes that Langella had shot will have to be refilmed, which will most likely cause a significant delay in the release of the series. Netflix has described the story as “an epic tale of greed, horror, and tragedy.” Langella was supposed to play the Usher family patriarch Roderick Usher. There is no word as to who will replace him.

“The Fall of the House of Usher” is the latest project created by Mike Flanagan, who is the mastermind behind Netflix's “The Haunting of Hill House,” “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and the recent “Midnight Mass” series.

“Star Wars” alum Mark Hamillhas already been cast in the series. Although his character has not been named, he is rumored to be “surprisingly at home in the shadows.” Hamill will be joined by actress Carla Gugino, who has appeared in many of Flanagan’s other Netflix projects. “Major Crimes” star Mary McDonnell has been cast as Roderick’s twin sister, Madeline Usher, and “Alias” actor Carl Lumbly has been cast as detective C. Auguste Dupin. Willa Fitzgerald joined the cast on January 28.