Jeffrey Tambor Apparently Isn’t Quitting Transparent After All

Despite two allegations of sexual misconduct, it appears Jeffrey Tambor might not be quitting Transparent after all.

Just weeks ago, the Emmy-winning actor seemed to indicate that he was stepping away from the Amazon series following accusations of sexual misconduct from his former personal assistant Van Barnes and his co-star Trace Lysette—although he categorically denied committing any sexual impropriety. Now, however, it appears that he does not intend to leave the show after all. According to The New York Times, a representative for Tambor recently indicated that he has no plans to quit, despite the statement he made weeks ago, following Lysette’s accusation.

“Playing Maura Pfefferman on Transparent has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life,” Tambor said then. “What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago. I’ve already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue. Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to Transparent.”

Now, however, his publicist, Allan Mayer, has clarified that comment to the Times: “What he said was that given the toxic atmosphere and the politicization on the set, it’s very hard for him to see how he can possibly return. But no final decision for next year has been made, either by Jeffrey or by Amazon.”

The Amazon series had reportedly been contemplating a future without its repeatedly awarded star—but now it’s unclear whether Tambor will actually go the way of Kevin Spacey and Danny Masterson, or stick around for further seasons. (Amazon Studios and Tambor’s manager did not immediately respond to V.F.’s request for comment.)

Barnes, who is transgender, was the first to accuse Tambor of behaving inappropriately toward her in a private Facebook post. Amazon launched its investigation as Tambor denied the remarks, saying in a statement, “I am aware that a former disgruntled assistant of mine has made a private post implying that I had acted in an improper manner toward her. I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any other person I have ever worked with. I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation.”

One week later came trans actress Lysette’s allegation—that the actor made lascivious remarks to her and tried to touch her inappropriately on set. Lysette was also Barnes’s roommate when she worked for Tambor; as she made her own accusation, the actress recalled, “She would come home wrecked and stressed. I saw him break her down. She for the most part kept it to herself. She was just like, ‘Girl, he is a piece of work. If you only knew what I’m going through.’ But I knew.”

Tambor responded to Lysette’s allegation with a new, lengthier statement:

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For the past four years, I’ve had the huge privilege—and huge responsibility—of playing Maura Pfefferman, a transgender woman, in a show that I know has had an enormous, positive impact on a community that has been too long dismissed and misunderstood. Now I find myself accused of behavior that any civilized person would condemn unreservedly. I know I haven’t always been the easiest person to work with. I can be volatile and ill-tempered, and too often I express my opinions harshly and without tact. But I have never been a predator— ever. I am deeply sorry if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive or if I ever offended or hurt anyone. But the fact is, for all my flaws, I am not a predator and the idea that someone might see me in that way is more distressing than I can express.

Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com. She was formerly an editorial assistant at Slate and lives in Brooklyn.