Criminal showrunner and prolific comic book writer Ed Brubaker has been accused of sexual and racial harassment and assault, among several other claims, by a former production assistant on the upcoming Prime Video series. Amazon MGM Studios and Big Indie Pictures are also being sued for allegedly "turning a blind eye."
Ijaaz Noohu is seeking unspecified damages after bringing claims for sexual and racial harassment, religious discrimination, assault, and battery.
According to the lawsuit, Brubaker started to subject Noohu to “repeated and pervasive sexual harassment by making comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair, joking about rape and rubbing Noohu’s back" shortly after he was hired. Brubaker is also said to have directed “demeaning stereotypes about curry, comments invoking the 'Tiger Mom' trope, references to Never Have I Ever and comments about Noohu’s presumed facility with math at the production assistant."
Noohu also claims that Brubaker fired a functional firearm at his face in an incident that was witnessed by a senior producer, who ultimately pretended he didn't see what happened.
“That a supervisor with authority over the entire production would commit such an act — and that it would go unchecked — illustrates the culture of impunity that pervaded the criminal production,” writes Fahim Rahman, a lawyer for Noohu, in the complaint.
None of the accused parties responded to a request for comment by THR.
The cast of the show, which is being developed as an "interlocking universe of crime stories,” includes Emilia Clarke, Charlie Hunnam, Richard Jenkins, John Hawkes, Adria Arjona, Logan Browning, Kadeem Hardison, Pat Healy, Taylor Sele, Aliyah Camacho, Michael Mando, Marvin Jones III, Michael Xavier and Dominic Burgess.
Brubaker serves as co-showrunner and executive producer of Criminal along with Jordan Harper. Phillips also executive produces, as do Sarah Carbiener, and Phillip Barnett. Captain Marvel directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden helmed the first four episodes.
"Criminal is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics. I know our global Prime Video customers will immediately embrace this story, and I look forward to working with Ed, Jordan, and the team to bring it to the screen," said Nick Pepper, head Amazon MGM Studios, when the show was first announced.
Brubaker added, "Sean and I have been building this world in our books for over a decade, and now to be able to bring it to life for Amazon is just incredible. And to have Amazon support the project the way they have, and show so much faith in my and Jordan’s vision for the show is even more incredible."