Ricky appalled after producer accused
After Life boss Hanson facing ‘predator’ claims by 11 women
RICKY Gervais has said he is “shocked and appalled” after the producer of his After Life series was accused of being a sexual predator.
TV veteran Charlie Hanson, who also worked with the star on Extras, has been dropped from the Netflix hit following allegations from 11 women.
He has also been suspended by BAFTA – weeks after he criticised their handling of sexual misconduct claims against Doctor Who actor Noel Clarke.
Ricky, 59, said: “I’m shocked and appalled to learn of the allegations.”
A third series of After Life is currently in filming. The star added: “The decision was made to immediately remove him from production and I am confident the matter is being handled thoroughly.”
Golden Globe winner Hanson, 68, denies the allegations and says he will co-operate fully with any investigation.
He said through his lawyer: “I categorically reject any wrongdoing on my part, and strongly refute the allegations that have been levelled at me.”
The claims came in a reported 5,000-word email to BAFTA and Netflix. It is said to accuse Hanson of “promising a starry career under his wing” before allegedly making unwanted advances.
One alleged victim accuses him of having sex with her without consent in 2008 after they met about a script, The Times said.
Another claims Hanson sexually assaulted her when she was too inebriated to consent in 2015, after having acted as her “mentor”.
The women’s email reportedly alleges: “Charlie Hanson is a predator who uses his standing to groom far younger, impressionable and sometimes vulnerable women. Please tell us what you are doing to ensure Charlie Hanson [can] no longer use his standing with Netflix and BAFTA to launder his reputation and continue to hurt women.”
Comedian Mae Martin tweeted: “Sending all of these women, including one close friend, so much love today.”
Netflix said it had removed Hanson from After Life and informed the police. BAFTA said it suspended his membership and referred the matter to police. Hanson said: “I have been made aware of allegations against me [of] improper conduct dating back many years.
“I understand many of these accusations are made anonymously and are demonstrably false. I have not had one complaint in decades of work in the
industry.”