Several actresses in the series have issued a letter in support of one of the writers after she denounced the actions of Mark Schwahn.
Another scandal related to s-xual harassment or abuse has just joined the long list of recent months. This time, the accusations point directly to Mark Schwahn, showrunner of the well-known series One Tree Hill, who apparently would have had unusual attitudes to the point of making his companions feel "psychologically and emotionally manipulated", as as stated in a letter signed by several workers.
Audrey Waychope, a screenwriter within fiction, was the first to denounce Schwahn's actions in her work circles. She did it through Twitter, where she reflected her impressions without directly naming the creator of One Tree Hill.
"In light of the complaint against Andrew Kreisberg -responsible for the Arrowverso-, I want to share a couple of thoughts about my first job as a writer, which I have wanted to reveal for years but I have never had a nose", she begins to explain via Twitter. "When I was 29 years old, my partner Rachel Specter and I were hired as writers within the team."
She continues with a thread on the same social network, in which she explains in detail each time she felt on the ropes. "One of the first things we were told was that the showrunner hired writers based on their looks. That's why you were there, because he wanted to f*ck you up."
The team used to sit on sofas. The writers were trying to get a spot away from the showrunner to avoid being touched. Sometimes even other men sat next to her to protect the women. In case we were unlucky, he squeezed between us and put his arms on our shoulders. He touched our hair and massaged our shoulders. I know that he did more things to some colleagues, but it wasn't to me so it's not what I'm going to share
Following the writer's statements, actress Sophia Bush and other interpreters of the series have written a letter in which they refer to the showrunner's acts as an "open secret". "All of us women on the One Tree Hill casting have chosen this medium to stand united in support of Audrey Wauchope," they write. "Using now familiar terminology, Mark Schwahn's behavior includes s-xual harassment and abuse."
Many of us were, to varying degrees, psychologically and emotionally manipulated. More than one continues in treatment for post-traumatic stress. Many of us were placed in uncomfortable positions and had to learn to defend ourselves, sometimes even physically, because it became clear that the supervisors of the series were not the protectors that they should have been.
The workers point directly to the producers in the letter. "The lack of action -in the face of the situation- was already routine," they denounce. Among the signatures are also the names of Bethany Joy Lenz, Hilarie Burton and 15 other members of the team.
In light of the Andrew Kreisberg reporting, a couple thoughts about my first writing job that I've wanted to say for years but have never had the guts to. When I was 29 my writing partner @RachelSpecter and I were hired as staff writers.
— Audrey Wauchope Lieberstein (@audreyalison) November 12, 2017
Schwahnm, who is now working on the popular series, has been placed "on surveillance", according to the companies behind the production. "We are monitoring the information carefully," they have promised Deadline. "We have an obligation to provide a safe work environment, where everyone is treated with respect and in a professional manner."
