This doesn't come as a surprise. According to TMZ, Stephen Collins has been fired from an upcoming role in ABC's Scandal , in response to the recent allegations of child molestation against him. The decision has been confirmed by ABC in a statement to Buzzfeed, making them the second to drop Collins from a role in light of the allegations.
"We can confirm that we will not be airing any footage with Stephen Collins," a rep for ABC said in their statement. Collins was set to appear in one episode during this season of Scandal, reprising the role he had in one season 2 episode as anchorman Reed Wallace.
On Tuesday, Collins was also dropped from the upcoming Seth MacFarlane film Ted 2, in which he had been set to appear in a minor role. He also resigned from the SAG board, and reruns of 7th Heaven have been pulled from the family network UP TV.
The allegations of child molestation against Collins were first reported early Tuesday, when TMZ posted alleged audio of Collins admitting to molesting three young girls in horrifying detail during a therapy session. His estranged wife, Faye Grant, was present during the session, and has stated that she recorded the audio herself to build a case against Collins. However, she also continued that she did not leak the tape.
As of now, no formal charges have been filed against Collins, but NYPD detectives from the Manhattan Special Victims unit are reportedly investigating the case.
