“Alias Grace” actor Albert Schultz has resigned from his role as artistic director of Canada’s Soulpepper Theatre Company, a spokesperson for the company told TheWrap on Thursday.
Alan Dilworth will take Schultz’s place as acting artistic director. “Alan will lead an organization that has a breadth and an enormous depth of talent with a proven track record of artistic excellence,” the statement said.
Schultz’s resignation comes after Soulpepper’s board instructed him to step down from all of his positions at the company as it opens an investigation into his behavior. Schultz co-founded Soulpepper, Toronto’s largest nonprofit theater company, with 11 other people in 1998.
“Mr. Schultz’s resignation will allow Soulpepper to focus on its core mission: to provide a safe community for its exceptionally talented group of professionals,” the statement continued. “While this has been a tremendously difficult chapter in Soulpepper’s history, today’s decision ensures the organization is able to move forward with confidence and remain a leading Canadian theatre company.”
Schultz was accused of sexual assault by four actresses in four separate civil lawsuits filed on Tuesday. Patricia Fagan, Kristin Booth, Diana Bentley and Hannah Miller filed their suits in Ontario Superior Court, accusing Schultz of repeatedly groping and kissing women without their permission and exposing himself to them on stage.
In total, the women are seeking 3.6 million Canadian dollars, or $2.9 million U.S., in damages from Schultz, as well as 4.3 million Canadian dollars, or $3.4 million U.S., from the company, which they say enabled his behavior and did nothing to protect them.
“Mr. Schultz abused his power for years. My clients fully intend to hold him and Soulpepper Theatre Company accountable. Their brave lawsuit is the first step towards righting this incredible wrong,” the women’s lawyer, Alexi Wood, said in a statement.
The four actresses accuse Schultz of misbehavior spanning 13 years, labeling him a “serial sexual predator” in each case.
“[Schultz] had well-developed methods for targeting actresses and luring them into situations that he considered optimal for sexually harassing and assaulting them,” all four statements of claim read. “These methods regularly involved Soulpepper staff and were otherwise facilitated by Soulpepper.”
Schultz has appeared on a number of Canadian TV series, most recently Netflix/CBC’s Margaret Atwood adaptation “Alias Grace.”
Netflix in January: What's Coming and What to Watch Before It's Gone (Photos)
Here are our highlights for January on Netflix, from original programming to freshly added film titles. Plus, what to re-watch before it leaves Netflix.
Available Jan. 1: "Wedding Crashers"
This movie is the reason "crashing a wedding" is on everyone's Tindr bucket list and why some wedding crashing was featured on "The Bachelor" that one time. It's hilarious, and perfect for watching with your pals during your post-New Year's Eve hangover.
WB
Available Jan. 1: "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"
Did the Oompa Loompas freak you out as a child? Well, Netflix has your Golden Ticket to the magical (and creepy) candy-filled world of Willy Wonka on the first of the year.
Available Jan. 19: "Grace and Frankie" Season 4
Lisa Kudrow joins the cast as third wheel Sheree for the fourth season of the Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin comedy. How will their titular friendship weather challenges brought on by this new addition?
Netflix
Available Jan. 26: "One Day at a Time" Season 2
This rollicking reboot of the Norman Lear sitcom that originally aired from 1975-1984 is getting its second season on Netflix. The first season was met with critical praise for its take on Cuban-American identity and other hot topics.
Netflix
Available Jan. 16: "Dallas Buyers Club"
Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto both won Oscars for their performance in this 2014 film about HIV-AIDS healthcare struggles and an unlikely friendship.
Leaving Jan. 1: "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"
Your favorite little alien is phoning home for real this time. Cry to the cutest relationship between an extra-terrestrial and a kid one more time before Spielberg's classic leaves the platform on the first of the month.
Universal
Leaving Jan. 1: "Forrest Gump"
Despite the fact this film flaunts one of Tom Hanks' most recognizable roles ever, Netflix is shouting, "run Forrest, run!"
Leaving Jan. 1: "Mean Girls"
Netflix finally broke down and decided to stop trying to make "fetch" happen. You can add the streaming service to your Burn Book at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve for this move.
Paramount
Leaving Jan. 1: "Grease"
Sandy and Danny rode off into the sunset in their flying car, and are continuing to fly right off the Netflix screen. We're writing a song called "Netflix Drop-Out."
Leaving Jan. 4: "Lost" Season 1-6
Why, oh why, are the television gods taking "Lost" away from us? The show that paved the way for fan-theory rabbit holes is leaving Jan. 4, so binge as much as you can in the next few weeks.
Here's the complete list of what's coming to and leaving Netflix in January.
ABC
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Buckle up, because 2018 is bringing a whole new batch of fresh Netflix Original programming and the return of old favorites
Here are our highlights for January on Netflix, from original programming to freshly added film titles. Plus, what to re-watch before it leaves Netflix.
Available Jan. 1: "Wedding Crashers"
This movie is the reason "crashing a wedding" is on everyone's Tindr bucket list and why some wedding crashing was featured on "The Bachelor" that one time. It's hilarious, and perfect for watching with your pals during your post-New Year's Eve hangover.