Showtime Cancels "SMILF" After Claims Of Sexual Misconduct Against Frankie Shaw

Source: Decider.com

According to a new report, Showtime has officially axed their comedy series, SMILF, after just two seasons. ABC Studios, the organization responsible for its production, had to suspend their collaboration with Frankie Shaw, the showrunner.

As it was previously reported, Shaw came under fire after the revelation from The Hollywood Reporter that there were allegations of abusive behavior on set. Allegedly, Frankie had violated industry rules, more specifically, the standards by which actors and actresses perform sex scenes on set.

Rather than accept them, apologize, and move on, Shaw denied all of them and said she and the rest of her team were dedicated to a safe working environment.

Showtime and ABC didn’t reveal precisely why they chose to get rid of the series, but rumors have stated that Shaw’s misconduct may have contributed to its demise. The network addressed the situation in a statement but didn’t specify what led to its cancelation. However, one can infer the reason.

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Showtime announced that “after weight several factors,” they had decided SMILF would no longer continue for a third season. But, they will continue to air the last episodes of the previously created season, which ends on the 31st of March.

Just this past summer, Shaw signed a two-year development deal with ABC Studios amid the reports of misconduct on set. In a statement, the studio added that their contract with Frankie would be suspended without pay until they figured out the next steps,

SMILF premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film festival and it quickly garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following. It featured big-name stars like Rosie O’Donnell as well as Connie Briton and went on to earn two Golden Globe nominations.

Reportedly, there were sex scenes done on the set of the film that didn’t abide by regular industry standards and practices. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, because the accusations became public not long after the first batch of misconduct allegations started with Harvey Weinstein in late 2017.