Three former crew members from the ABC medical drama series “Doctor Odyssey” have filed a lawsuit against Twentieth Century Studios and its parent company, Disney, accusing them of enabling a prolonged period of unchecked sexual harassment within the production. The plaintiffs, Caroline Mack, Alicia Haverland, and Ava Steinbrenner, allege that the show’s assistant prop master, Tyler Patton, engaged in inappropriate behavior over several months, including making sexual jokes, suggestive comments, gestures, and taking explicit photographs. They also claim that Patton subjected them to unwelcome physical contact, such as overtly grabbing a visiting female employee’s buttocks.
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct and Offensive Behavior
One of the incidents detailed in the lawsuit involves Patton allegedly sharing a link with prop department staff that was supposed to reference news about President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. Instead, the link redirected to an image of a naked male with an erect penis. The lawsuit further accuses Patton of calling one of the plaintiffs a “chick” and making lewd remarks like “come over here and start your mouth, here’s the worm.”
Background of the Accused and Prior Allegations
The lead prop master on “Doctor Odyssey” was Tammie Patton, Tyler’s wife. The lawsuit claims that both Tammie and Disney were aware of previous allegations of sexual misconduct against Tyler Patton. Notably, Patton was named in a 2010 lawsuit against Current Network Television, which accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation. In that case, former employee Carl Jones alleged that Patton groped him and made sexual advances toward female colleagues.
Pattern of Harassment and Retaliation
The complaint asserts that Patton’s inappropriate conduct was a recurring issue, occurring daily and often in the presence of supervisors. During one heated exchange, Patton reportedly exclaimed, “If I wasn’t fucking the boss, I’d be fired,” highlighting a culture of impunity. The lawsuit states that after the victims reported his behavior to human resources, Patton was dismissed. However, Tammie Patton allegedly responded with retaliatory actions, including threats to their jobs. Subsequently, the entire props department was laid off, while Disney reportedly hired a new team shortly afterward, raising questions about the company’s accountability.
Claims of Cover-Up and Retaliation
The lawsuit contends that Disney and Twentieth Century deliberately concealed the misconduct within the prop department to avoid addressing the broader issues linked to Tyler and Tammie Patton. The plaintiffs also claim they were blacklisted within the industry as retaliation for speaking out about the harassment, effectively silencing their complaints and damaging their careers.
Company Response and Future of the Series
As of now, Disney has not issued an official statement regarding the lawsuit. “Doctor Odyssey” remains in limbo, with no confirmation yet on whether it will be renewed for a second season. It stands as the only scripted series currently airing on ABC with an uncertain future, overshadowed by ongoing allegations and legal proceedings.
