Why Was Hartley Sawyer Fired From 'The Flash'?

By Jorge Solis On 6/8/20 at 3:24 PM EDT

After playing the Elongated Man for three seasons, Hartley Sawyer will not be returning to the supporting role in the upcoming Season 7 of The Flash. Sawyer has reportedly been fired from the CW drama over "derogatory remarks" made on social media in 2012 several years before his first appearance on the show.

Though his official Twitter account has been deleted, Twitter user, @themirrorin6x17, posted a long thread of Sawyer's controversial comments. Sawyer previously tweeted, "I'm way too black to burn from sun rays," and "Still trying to figure out how to sexually assault myself."

a collection of @HartleySawyer's misogynistic, racist, fatphobic, etc. tweets (sorry if there's duplicates) pic.twitter.com/Kv0afDbiP1
— steph (@themirrorin6x17) May 30, 2020

Over on Instagram, the former Flash actor acknowledges his inflammatory words from the past are hurtful and unacceptable. The Glory Daze actor wrote, "I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then. I want to be very clear. This is not reflective of what I think or who I am now."

View this post on Instagram
My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable. I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply. This was not acceptable behavior. These were words I threw out at the time with no thought or recognition of the harm my words could do, and now have done today. I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then. I want to be very clear: this is not reflective of what I think or who I am now. Years ago, thanks to friends and experiences who helped me to open my eyes, I began my journey into becoming a more responsible adult - in terms of what I say, what I do, and beyond. I've largely kept that journey private, and this is another way that I have let so many down. I still have more work to do. But how I define myself now does not take away the impact of my words, or my responsibility for them. I am very sorry.
A post shared by Hartley Sawyer (@hartleysawyer) on May 30, 2020 at 11:59am PDT

The CW, Warner Bros, Berlanti Productions, and The Flash showrunner Eric Wallace released an exclusive statement to The Hollywood Reporter. They said, "Such remarks are antithetical to our values and policies, which strive and evolve to promote a safe, inclusive and productive environment for our workforce."

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Hartley Sawyer arrives at the premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures And Legendary Pictures' "Godzilla: King Of The Monsters" at TCL Chinese Theatre on May 18, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Morgan Lieberman/WireImage

Wallace added more on social media and tweeted, "Concerning his social media tweets, they broke my heart and made me mad as hell. And they're indicative of the larger problem in our country."

My statement regarding Hartley Sawyer and THE FLASH. pic.twitter.com/hni0MxOWZU
— Eric Wallace (@ewrote) June 8, 2020

The Flash executive producer emphasized that the superhero drama is a family show, especially for "black and brown ones."

When we last saw Ralph Dibney, aka Elongated Man, in the sixth season finale, he had warned Sue Dearbon (Natalie Dreyfuss) that the police were coming after her. Sue had been framed for a murder she didn't commit. The CW show will have to rewrite this subplot before returning to the air in 2021.

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