Timothy Busfield’s Role In Upcoming Amazon Rom-Com Edited Out Amid Sex Abuse Allegations
By Danielle Jennings on January 20, 2026 at 4:45 PM EST
Timothy Busfield continues to face fallout from shocking child sexual abuse allegations, and now the case against the actor-director has affected his work on an upcoming project.
Originally set to appear in a forthcoming Amazon release, reports confirm that the embattled star will no longer be part of the romantic comedy.
Timothy Busfield’s Film Role To Be Officially Edited Out Of Amazon MGM Studios Film
According to Deadline, Busfield’s role in “You Deserve Each Other,” starring Meghann Fahy and Penn Badgley, will be edited out in its entirety, sources confirmed to the outlet.
Busfield’s involvement in the film was initially announced in July 2025, as he was confirmed to play the role of Fahy’s father. Although filming has since ended, the official release date for the production has yet to be announced.
In addition to Busfield, Fahy, and Badgley, “You Deserve Each Other” also stars Justin Long, Kyle MacLachlan, and Ana Gasteyer.
Busfield Also Faced Other Blows To His Career Shortly After The Allegations Were Revealed
Mere days after the former “The West Wing” star was issued an arrest warrant stemming from allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with two minor child actors on the set of “The Cleaning Lady” where he was a director, he was officially dropped from his long-time talent agency Innovative Artists, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
On Monday, Jan. 12, the outlet also reported NBC’s decision not to air an episode of the network’s long-running hit “Law & Order: SVU” due to Busfield being featured in a guest-starring role.
Despite The Seriousness Of His Legal Issues, Busfield Has Received Some Public Support
Three of Busfield’s former co-stars from the show “Thirtysomething” have come out to publicly support him as he remains in jail. Actors Ken Olin, Peter Horton, and Patricia Wettig all wrote letters to the judge in support of Busfield and praised his character, per the New York Post.
“Timothy is my friend, so no doubt I’m biased,” Olin’s letter reportedly read. “But I know him well, through many years and many changing life circumstances, and he has always been a man who cares about other people – old and young.”
“I know in the very bottom of my heart that Timothy would never do anything to cruelly exploit or harm anyone, let alone a child,” Olin continued, according to the outlet.
Additionally, Academy Award-winning producer Edward Zwick, who was also the co-creator of “Thirtysomething,” wrote a letter of support as well.
Busfield’s Wife Melissa Gilbert Has Taken A Firm Stance Of Support For Her Husband
On Friday, Jan. 16, Gilbert submitted her own letter to the judge in her husband’s case, as she pleaded for his “protection” while he remains in custody, according to PEOPLE.
"The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,” the former “Little House on the Prairie" star wrote, per the outlet. “He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family."
Gilbert continued, noting "I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has.” The actress also added that Busfield "has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion."
She ended her letter pleading for Busfield’s safety. “Please, please, take care of my sweet husband. As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart, I am relying on you to protect him for me."
Busfield Set To Make Court Appearance For Pretrial Detention Hearing
Timothy Busfield will appear at a pretrial hearing in a New Mexico court on Tuesday, Jan. 20 in the ongoing child sex abuse case, according to ABC News.
The hearing will determine if Busfield will remain in custody or be released from jail and allowed to return home and await the start of his trial. He was arrested earlier this month and charged with child abuse and alleged criminal sexual contact of a minor.
