The Cast Of 'One Tree Hill' Just Accused Showrunner Mark Schwahn Of Sexual Harassment

The Cast Of 'One Tree Hill' Just Accused Showrunner Mark Schwahn Of Sexual Harassment

The cast and crew of the popular teen drama One Tree Hill have penned a letter accusing showrunner Mark Schwahn of sexual harassment and offering support to their former colleague, Audrey Wauchope. 

Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, Danneel Harris, and Bethany Joy Lentz were among the 18 woman who worked on the show that signed the letter. 

The cast and crew state that the letter was written to support Wauchope, who recently came forward with allegations again Schwahn on Twitter but did not name him. 

"Mark Schwahn’s behavior over the duration of the filming of One Tree Hill was something of an 'open secret'," said the letter.  

"Many of us were, to varying degrees, manipulated psychologically and emotionally. More than one of us is still in treatment for post-traumatic stress."  

According to the letter, the harassment sometimes escalated to a point where Schwahn had to be physically fought off. 

One Tree Hill ran from 2003 until 2012. Schwahn, who created the show, worked as the showrunner for the entirety of its eight-season run.

According to the letter, the cast and crew were told that if they came forward, they wouldn't just be putting their own careers at risk but also those of everyone they worked with.  

"Many of us were told, during filming, that coming forward to talk about this culture would result in our show being canceled and hundreds of lovely, qualified, hard-working, and talented people losing their jobs," said the letter.  

On Twitter, Wauchope, who was a writer on the show, described how female writers were subjected to unwanted touching and other forms of sexual harassment in the workplace. 

Today, Schwahn works on the E! show The Royals.

E!, Universal, and Lionsgate released a statement in the wake of the recent allegations that said, “We are monitoring the information carefully. E!, Universal Cable Productions, and Lionsgate Television are committed to providing a safe working environment in which everyone is treated respectfully and professionally.”

James Lafferty, Lee Norris, Chad Michael Murray, and many other male cast members have expressed their support to and for their female colleagues.  

Fans of the show have also taken to social media to show their support. 

Schwahn has not yet commented on the allegations. You can read the cast and crew's letter in full here. 

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