After an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior including a “toxic” writers’ room environment, Supergirl and The Flash co-showrunner and Executive Producer Andrew Kreisberg has been officially dismissed by the Warner Bros. TV Group.
Kreisberg had been accused by multiple people and had been suspended by the studio three weeks ago while they would conduct investigations. The situation caused many actors across the Arrowverse to speak out about and denounce this kind of behavior, with Supergirl’s Melissa Benoist specifically pledging to commitment to “being part of changing the norm by listening when people speak up, and refusing to accept an environment that is anything less than a safe, respectful and collaborative space.” Others, including Benoist’s Supergirl costar Chris Wood and Arrow’s Emily Bett Rickards and Stephen Amell, were among those to express themselves publicly about the situation, supporting those who have spoken out.
“After a thorough investigation, Warner Bros. Television Group has terminated Andrew Kreisberg’s employment, effective immediately,” Warner Bros. TV in a statement. “Greg Berlanti will assume additional responsibilities on both The Flash, where he will work closely with executive producer/co-showrunner Todd Helbing, and Supergirl, where he will work closely with executive producers/co-showrunners Robert Rovner and Jessica Queller. We remain committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees and everyone involved in our productions.”
Berlanti Productions’ Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter also released a statement of their own.
“Warner Bros. Television Group recently concluded its investigation into the allegations against Andrew Kreisberg. We encouraged and supported this investigation, we believe and support the individuals who came forward, and we agree with the studio’s decision. Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of all our colleagues — coworkers, crew and staff alike,” it read.
A major architect of the Arrowverse, Kreisberg had been working with Berlanti on DC TV since before even Arrow; a Booster Gold TV project for Syfy was mooted in 2011 but ultimately never happened. As things stand, with Berlanti stepping in, the four series that Kreisberg had any involvement with will continue to go on as planned.
Sam
May 17, 2015 at 8:41 am
I think crossovers would work best if various DC shows embraced the multiverse. You could have an episode where Flash accidentally crosses dimensions and arrives in “Supergirl’s Universe” and has to figure out how to get home. Meanwhile teaming up with Supergirl for an episode or two.
I suggest this since the Arrow/Flash-verse has pretty clearly established that the Flash is the first publicly known superhero in that world. No Superman operating for years.
Historically superhero TV shows and movies have tended to have only the one hero barring a sidekick ie. Batman in their universe with other superheros seemingly not existing.
I wonder if audiences want this anymore? Do they want Supergirl to be the only superhero in her world?
Now that we’ve been exposed to the Marvel cinematic universe with superhero team-ups in the Avengers. CW shows with the Flash, Arrow, Firestorm and the Atom all co-existing and co-operating, the upcoming Batman v Superman. Not to mention the X-Men movies that kicked things off as far as multiple heroes in one movie goes. Can we really go back?
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman made a reference to Batman but we never saw him – more’s the pity!
I have no problem with Superman being absent at least early on in this new Supergirl series. It gives Supergirl a chance to establish her own identity.
Although now that I think about it if Superman’s absence was due to his “death” ala Doomsday then you could introduce a Cadmus clone Superboy as a sidekick for Kara. That could be an interesting character dynamic/plotline.
Merylin
May 18, 2015 at 11:22 am
Yes!! Definitely!! Supergirl NEEDS crossovers with Arrow, The Flash, and Ledgends of Tomorrow!!