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Fred Savagehas been let go as executive producer and director of ABC’sThe Wonder Yearsas he faces allegations of misconduct, a spokesperson for 20th Television confirms with PEOPLE.
Deadlinewas first to report the news.
Reps for Savage, 45, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Both series, which take place during the ’60s, are told from the perspective of a 12-year-old kid navigating life with family and friends. Savage played Kevin Arnold in the original, and Elisha “EJ” Williams stars in the reboot. The season finale of the revival is set to air on May 18. As of now, it has not been renewed for a second season.
Erika Doss/ABC
The allegations come four years after actress Alley Mills, who played Savage’s mother Norma Arnold in the original series, alleged in 2018 that a sexual harassment lawsuit against the actor and Jason Hervey ended the show in 1993. Hervey portrayed Savage’s older brother Wayne Arnold.
Also in 2018, a judge dismissed a gender-based lawsuit against Savage from a costume designer, Youngjoo Hwang, who alleged he created a hostile environment on set of Fox’sThe Grinder. Savage adamantly denied the claims,according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
Ahead ofThe Wonder Yearsreboot, Savage spoke to PEOPLE aboutthe experience of producing the show.
“I teared up,” Savage told PEOPLE of seeing the first episode of the reboot. “This show is so personal to me. And it’s really a spiritual and emotional cousin to the original.”
“Any time I get to work with young actors, it takes me back,” said Savage in September 2021. “I still feel like I’m 12 years old. And I had such a wonderful experience on the show. I look back on it very fondly.”
Savage added at the time that he was relishing the chance to revisit the show that formed his career — and changed his life.
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“One of the nice ripple effects of the new show is that it’s brought me back into the orbit of the original cast,” the actor said. “I talk to Josh [Saviano, who played Paul Pfeiffer] and Danica [McKellar, who played Winnie Cooper] and Dan [Lauria, who played his dad Jack Arnold] and I exchange emails.”
Continued Savage: “I think people might work their whole careers to find an opportunity to be part of something that endures likeThe Wonder Years. The fact that I was able to do that at a young age is really special. I feel so fortunate.”
source: people.com
