David Farnor | On 30, Jul 2019

Amazon’s Transparent returns for its final farewell this autumn, and we have our fresh look at what that ending will look like thanks to a new trailer.

The groundbreaking show has followed the Pfefferman family for four seasons, as they reacted to Maura (Jeffrey Tambor) coming out as a woman. But after allegations of sexual harassment were made against Tambor, putting the future of the programme in question, the series ultimately cut ties with him so the show could conclude with one event movie. And not just any movie: a musical film, building on the musical element that Judith Light as Maura’s ex-wife brought to the show in Season 3 onwards.

“I think for close watchers of the musical, they’ll realize that this family is mourning Maura,” Transparent creator Jill Soloway told Deadline in an interview at the TCA press tour last weekend. “The family is mourning the loss of Maura and the cast is mourning the loss of Jeffrey.

“We couldn’t just do business as usual,” Soloway added. “We couldn’t just do some more episodes, I think we needed a new way to look at this world, and the musical offered us just kind of a new way to come back.”

The Musicale Finale takes the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series to new places as a dazzling movie fantasia inspired by the classic musicals that shaped a culture. When the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they begin a journey hilarious and melancholic, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation.
 
Created by Jill Soloway, with original music by Faith Soloway, the finale features returning cast including Judith Light, Gaby Hoffmann, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, Alexandra Billings, Kathryn Hahn, Shakina Nayfack, Trace Lysette, as well as a number of fan favorite characters. The series is executive produced by Jill Soloway, Faith Soloway, Andrea Sperling and Joe Lewis.

Transparent’s finale premieres on Amazon Prime Video on 27th September. Here’s the trailer:

 

Amazon unveils trailer for Transparent’s musical finale

6th June 2019

After a long period of silence from behind the scenes, we finally have a glimpse of what Transparent’s musical finale will look – and sound – like, with Amazon unveiling the first trailer for the show’s final chapter.

The Transparent Musicale Finale takes the beloved Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series to new territory as a dazzling movie fantasia inspired by the classic musicals that shaped a culture. When the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they begin a journey hilarious and melancholic, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation.
 
Created by Jill Soloway (Six Feet Under), with original music by Faith Soloway (Transparent), the finale features returning cast including Judith Light (Ugly Betty), Gaby Hoffmann (Girls), Amy Landecker (Sneaky Pete), Jay Duplass (Togetherness), Alexandra Billings (Goliath), Kathryn Hahn (The Romanoffs), Shakina Nayfack (Jessica Jones), Trace Lysette (Blunt Talk), as well as a number of fan favourite characters returning for this special send-off.  The series is executive produced by Jill Soloway, Faith Soloway, Andrea Sperling (Like Crazy), and Joe Lewis (Fleabag).
 
It will premiere on Amazon Prime Video this autumn at a yet to be confirmed date. Here’s the video:

 

Transparent will bow out with a musical

15th October 2018

Transparent will wrap things up in style by bowing out as a musical, Jill Soloway has revealed.

The show’s creator, who has an ongoing relationship with Amazon Studios, broke ground back in 2014, when she debuted Transparent on Amazon Prime Video. The comedy-drama followed Maura, a transgender woman who comes out late in life, and sends questions of identity and gender rippling through her family.

The show’s future was cast into doubt last year, though, after allegations surfaced against its award-winning star, Jeffrey Tambor, of sexual harassment on the programme’s set. Amazon conducted an investigation into the accusations, and while the findings of that investigation were never made public, the company decided to fire Tambor. Since then, Amazon has confirmed that a fifth and final season is still on the way, with Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke promising to “give fans the closure they long for”.

Now, it looks like fans will also get a song and dance to go with it. Speaking to the New York Times as part of a profile piece, Soloway confirmed that Transparent the musical is on the way. The two-hour movie is set to air on Amazon Prime Video in autumn 2019, with the music produced in collaboration with Jill’s sister, Faith, and trans actress Shakina Nayfack.

“It will hopefully feel like Jesus Christ Superstar mixed with La La Land mixed with Flight of the Conchords with something more Jewish thrown in,” Jill Soloway said. “A little Yentl.”

Deadline has since confirmed that the two-hour outing will not be a separate one-off, but is planned as part of Season 5, to round off the whole thing.

Filming will take place later this year.

 

Amazon confirms Season 5 of Transparent will happen

30th July 2018

Season 5 of Transparent will happen, Amazon has officially confirmed.

The online giant has enjoyed significant awards success since it launch Amazon Prime Video, and a major part of that prize haul has been Jill Soloway’s Transparent, a comedy-drama following Maura, a transgender woman who comes out late in life, and sends questions of identity and gender rippling through her family.

The show’s future been in doubt for some time, though, after allegations surfaced against star Jeffrey Tambor of sexual harassment on the programme’s set. Amazon conducted an investigation into the accusations, and while the findings of that investigation were never made public, the company decided to fire Tambor.

Now, Amazon Studios’ TV chief Jennifer Salke has confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way without Maura.

“We are planning a season five of the show. What form it takes, we haven’t quite announced yet, but it exists, and we’re very excited about it,” she said.

“We will give Transparent fans the closure they long for and do what is right for those fans,” she added.

She also spoke about Soloway’s next project after Transparent.

“I think you can stay tuned in the next week or two to hear more about what that is. It’s something that we’re incredibly excited about,” Salke teased.

 

Transparent will officially continue without Jeffrey Tambor

16th February 2018

Transparent will continue without Jeffrey Tambor, following allegations of sexual harassment on the set of the show.

Amazon’s first breakout hit, the series has won multiple awards for its sensitive and progressive telling of the story of Maura Pfefferman (Tambor) and her family’s grappling with their own identities, sexuality and relationships. The show, however, became mired in scandal last year, when Tambor was accused of misconduct.

Now, after an investigation into the allegations has concluded, Amazon has confirmed to Deadline that Tambor will not return to the programme, although no results of the investigation have been published.

“I have great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on Transparent is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires,” showrunner Jill Soloway said in a statement. “We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for Transparent since its inception and remain heartbroken about the pain and mistrust their experience has generated in our community. We are taking definitive action to ensure our workplace respects the safety and dignity of every individual, and are taking steps to heal as a family.”

Tambor said last year: “I don’t see how I can return to Transparent”, referring to the “politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set”.

He then issued a statement last night: “I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling of these false accusations against me. I am even more disappointed in Jill Soloway’s unfair characterization of me as someone who would ever cause harm to any of my fellow cast mates.

“In our four-year history of working together on this incredible show, these accusations have NEVER been revealed or discussed directly with me or anyone at Amazon. Therefore, I can only surmise that the investigation against me was deeply flawed and biased toward the toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set. As I have consistently stated, I deeply regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone and I will continue to vehemently defend myself. I also deeply regret that this ground-breaking show, which changed so many lives, is now in jeopardy. That, to me, is the biggest heartbreak.”

His other cast members, including Gaby Hoffman, Jay Duplass, Judith Light and Amy Landecker, have all been renewed for the fifth season, with Maura set not to appear. The shift is a dramatic one for the show, but it arrives as Transparent has evolved increasingly into an ensemble series, rather than a Maura-centric tale, with Gaby Hoffman’s Ali becoming a natural new centre for the show’s boundary-breaking exploration of gender and identity.

 

Jeffrey Tambor exits Amazon’s Transparent

20th November 2017

Jeffrey Tambor will not return to Amazon’s Transparent, following two accusations of sexual harassment.

The actor was accused by Trace Lysette of making unwelcome lewd remarks to her while they working together, as well getting physical on one occasion. She called for Amazon to “remove the problem and let the show go on.”

Her allegations followed similar accusations of him behaving in an inappropriate manner by transgender actress Van Barnes, who was Tambor’s former assistant.

Showrunner Jill Soloway has declined to comment on the accusations due to an ongoing investigation by the show into the alleged incidents. We reported yesterday, though, that the series’ producers were considering continuing the show without Tambor. Now, the actor appears to have made that decision for them. Speaking to Deadline, he issued the following statement:

“Playing Maura Pfefferman on Transparent has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life. What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago. I’ve already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue. Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to Transparent.”

A fifth season of the show has already been commissioned.

 

Transparent’s producers looking at future without Jeffrey Tambor

19th November 2017

The producers of Transparent are looking at continuing the series without Jeffrey Tambor, following another allegation of sexual harassment against the actor.

The star, who has won a Golden Globe for his lead role of Maura in the show, was accused of behaving in a sexually inappropriate manner by transgender actress Van Barnes, who was a consultant on the show before becoming Tambor’s assistant.

Tambor “adamantly and vehemently” denied the allegation, saying that Barnes was a “former disgruntled assistant”.

Now, Trace Lysette, who was a guest star on the show, has also accused Tambor of sexually charged remarks and one incident of inappropriate behaviour.

Lysette told The Hollywood Reporter this week that Tambor, during the filming of a scene in which she was wearing a lingerie top and matching short-shorts, told her: “My God, Trace. I want to attack you sexually.” Alexandra Billings, also present, heard the remark and Lysette told THR they both “laughed it off because it was so absurd”.

Then, she alleged he approached her between takes.

“He came in close, put his bare feet on top of mine so I could not move, leaned his body against me, and began quick, discreet thrust back and forth against my body. I felt his penis on my hip through his thin pajamas,” Lysette said, adding she pushed him away and rolled her eyes.

“It was discreet. If you were behind Jeffrey you might have thought he was giving me a hug,” she added.

Tambor has denied the allegations, and apologised.

“I know I haven’t always been the easiest person to work with. I can be volatile and ill-tempered, and too often I express my opinions harshly and without tact,” he said in a statement. “But I have never been a predator – ever. I am deeply sorry if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive or if I ever offended or hurt anyone.”

Amazon has said the new allegation will be added to its ongoing internal investigation. Meanwhile, the show’s writers, led by Jill Soloway, are looking at ways to continue the programme without Tambor’s involvement.

Lysette has called on Amazon to “re-center the other trans characters in this show with the family members”, while one source has also told Variety that she is not looking to derail the show.

“Trace in speaking her truth also wanted to make sure that Transparent continued, but without the toxic element that is Jeffrey Tambor,” the source commented.

“There’s momentum on the inside to continue without Jeffrey Tambor,” another source revealed to Variety, just as Season 5 is being plotted out ahead of its production and release next year.

There is strong support for the show’s continuation, partly because of its showcasing of transgender stories, which often go untold in the media, and the way that Soloway has committed to hiring trans actors and crew to make the series.

Amazon and Soloway have not commented on the latest, but the showrunner issued this statement in response to the initial allegation: “Anything that would diminish the level of respect, safety and inclusion so fundamental to our workplace is completely antithetical to our principles. We are cooperating with the investigation into this matter.”

 

Amazon investigating Jeffrey Tambor misconduct accusation

9th November 2017

Amazon is investigating an accusation of sexual harassment against Jeffrey Tambor.

Transgender actress Van Barnes, who was once the assistant to the Transparent star, has alleged that Tambor behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner. Deadline first reported the news, with THR confirming with Amazon Entertainment VP of Global Communications, Craig Berman, that an investigation is in its “very early” stages.

Jill Soloway added in a statement: “Anything that would diminish the level of respect, safety and inclusion so fundamental to our workplace is completely antithetical to our principles. We are cooperating with the investigation into this matter.”

Van Barnes first met Soloway in 2013 at a Los Angeles party, reports THR, then becoming a consultant on the series. Barnes was the inspiration for Devina in Transparent’s first season, also becoming Tambor’s assistant. Barnes posted the allegations on a private Facebook account, telling THR “no comment” in response to what the claims entail.

Barnes’ lawyer, Alana Chazan, said: “Chazan Family Law P.C. is representing Van Barnes in an ongoing investigation at Amazon. My client currently has no comment, however, Ms. Barnes stands by the statement she made on her private social media account as part of the #metoo movement.”

Tambor has responded, saying he is “aware that a former disgruntled assistant of mine has made a private post implying that I had acted in an improper manner toward her”

“I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any other person I have ever worked with,” he said. “I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation.”

The allegation follows the departure of Amazon Studios chief Roy Price over accusations of sexual harassment towards The Man in the High Castle executive producer Isa Hackett Dick.

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