Amazon MGM, Ed Brubaker face hostile suit
Amazon MGM, Ed Brubaker face hostile suit
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Key Points
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The complaint says Brubaker engaged in an “especially” humiliating “cruel prank” by deliberately directing Noohu to a “bikini barista” establishment—where the women serving coffee wore only bathing suits—while Noohu was the one being targeted, according to documents reviewed by TheWrap and described in its reporting.
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The lawsuit describes specific alleged reactions to complaints: executive producer Phillip Barnett purportedly told someone, “Don’t say that in front of me,” and responded with, “La la, I’m not hearing that,” as part of a pattern of ignoring misconduct, according to AV Club’s reporting on the filing.
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Noohu alleges retaliation in connection with his efforts to address his situation: his “end date on the series was moved up after he asked for a promotion and raised concerns about Brubaker’s treatment of him,” according to AV Club’s account of the lawsuit.
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Beyond harassment, the complaint also alleges more serious tort claims including “assault and battery,” in addition to sexual and racial harassment and religious discrimination, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s summary of the filing.
Ed Brubaker, showrunner of Amazon MGM Studios' upcoming crime drama Criminal, faces a lawsuit from former production assistant Ijaaz Noohu alleging sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and assault. Bleeding Cool reports the complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, describes a hostile work environment that included unwanted sexual comments, ethnic stereotyping tied to Noohu's Sri Lankan background, and repeated questions about his views on Hamas. The allegations also include a serious incident where Brubaker allegedly pointed a loaded firearm at Noohu's face and pulled the trigger.
The Criminal series, based on Brubaker and Sean Phillips' graphic novel, was ordered to series by Prime Video in January 2024 and has been in development for over three years. AV Club reports that Noohu's suit alleges his complaints were repeatedly ignored by executives and supervisors, and that his position was terminated early after he sought a promotion and raised concerns about Brubaker's behavior.
Allegations of Harassment and Humiliation
The complaint details sustained harassment across multiple categories. The Hollywood Reporter reports the suit alleges sexual harassment, racial harassment, religious discrimination, and assault and battery. TheWrap documents a particularly degrading incident where Brubaker allegedly directed Noohu to a "bikini barista" coffee establishment—where female servers wore only bathing suits—singling him out in what the lawsuit describes as a cruel prank designed to humiliate him.
The harassment allegedly went beyond jokes. Noohu claims he endured unwanted physical comments and jokes about rape, as well as ethnic stereotyping tied to his heritage. According to the lawsuit documents, these incidents were not isolated but part of a pattern of abusive behavior on set.
Firearm Incident and Witness Testimony
Among the most serious allegations is a firearms incident where Brubaker allegedly pointed a working gun at Noohu's face and pulled the trigger. Pajiba reports this act was witnessed by others on set. The lawsuit claims the incident was not properly addressed by executives or supervisors, despite its severity and the presence of witnesses.
Systemic Failure to Address Complaints
The suit alleges that company leadership actively suppressed concerns rather than addressing them. AV Club documents that executive producer Phillip Barnett responded to complaints with dismissive statements like "Don't say that in front of me" and "La la, I'm not hearing that," signaling a pattern of intentional avoidance. This response came as Noohu raised serious allegations about Brubaker's treatment.
Noohu also alleges retaliation for speaking up. According to AV Club, his employment end date was moved up after he requested a promotion and brought forward concerns about how Brubaker treated him. The lawsuit claims executives and supervisors failed to document or properly investigate the misconduct.
Criminal Series Set to Launch Without Resolution
The Criminal series, adapted from the acclaimed graphic novel by Brubaker and Sean Phillips, remains on track despite the lawsuit. Arise.tv reports the show had been in development for more than three years before receiving the Prime Video order in January 2024. No launch date has been announced, and it remains unclear how the allegations will impact the show's production or release timeline.
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