Timothy Hutton Sues Leverage Producers for Cutting Him From Revival — Studio Calls His Claims ‘Baseless’
Timothy Hutton reportedly is filing suit against Leverage producer Electric Entertainment, alleging that they breached his contract by dropping him from IMDb TV‘s Leverage: Redemption sequel series while he took legal action against a sexual assault allegation.
As of Monday afternoon, however, TVLine hears that Electric has yet to be served with the suit.
The aforementioned sexual assault claim, filed as a criminal complaint in March 2020 by model/onetime child actress Sera Johnston, alleged that Hutton had raped her, then age 14, in a Vancouver hotel room in 1984. Hutton denied the allegation from go, claiming in a statement that Johnston had made “multiple extortion attempts … to extract millions of dollars from me,” and “threatened that if I did not meet her demands, she would go to the press with a false allegation that I sexually assaulted her 37 years ago in Canada.”
The month after Johnston filed her criminal complaint, the cast for Leverage: Redemption was announced — minus Hutton as team leader Nate Ford. Filming began in August 2020 and ran through March 2021, with Librarians alum Noah Wyle joining the ensemble. The revival opened with Nate’s wife Sophie (played by series vet Gina Bellman) a year into mourning his death from a seemingly cardiac event.
In July 2021, Hutton was officially cleared by Canadian law enforcement after they found “a glaring lack of support and proof of Ms. Johnston’s claim.”
Per our sister site Variety, Hutton’s suit claims that Electric Entertainment, of which Leverage executive producer Dean Devlin is CEO, did not independently investigate Johnston’s allegation and also ignored evidence that Hutton’s representatives had presented, challenging the claim.
The suit also claims that an “oral agreement” had been made regarding Hutton’s involvement in Redemption, and that his contract did not include a morals clause.
UPDATE (3 pm ET): Electric Entertainment on Monday afternoon responded with a statement saying, “We take allegations of sexual assault very seriously, especially when children are involved. Despite dealing with these allegations for years, Mr. Hutton failed to disclose them to us before or during negotiations for him to reprise his role in Leverage: Redemption. Consequently, once we learned of the allegations in the press, we ceased negotiations with him and chose to move on without him. His baseless allegations against us are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves.”
UPDATE (4:30 pm ET): Hutton’s attorney, Dale Kinsella, in turn responded, “This was a flagrant and pretextual breach of an agreement that had been done for weeks before Electric Entertainment decided there was no deal. Worse, Electric made this decision without any investigation whatsoever. While nobody relishes the prospect of litigation, this course of action is a last resort to hold Electric Entertainment to its obligations. We look forward to presenting our claims to a jury and are confident it will reject Electric’s purported reliance on unsubstantiated and frivolous charges.”
Leverage: Redemption was renewed for Season 2 in December.
Want scoop on Leverage: Redemption, or for any other show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.
Oof. This sounds messy.
If the lawsuit was the sole reason he wasn’t asked back, that definitely doesn’t look good for the show.
Though it could blow up in his face if there were other contributing reasons, which they will now be compelled to air publicly.
Well that’s disappointing to hear. I was hoping since the court case was resolved that he would be joining next season. I understand their hesitation bringing him on while the suit was pending. I hope all parties work something out amicably.
The only way they could bring him on is through flashbacks…his character is dead.
You ever hear of faking his death for some reason?
Yeah, but that plot twist would be jumping 100 sharks.
Not necessarily, considering that their bread & butter has included all sorts of fake lives, deaths, identities, etc. What’s one more faked death between friends? Hey, at least it’s nothing close to what they pulled on “Dallas” in the ’80s! :)P
It does all sound like quite a pickle, but I always prefer when they do these things with all of the original cast. <3
This is a show that in season 1 of the OG, 15 years ago, showed them doctoring security camera footage with the CGI skills of Marvel Studios. The guy they were talking to calmly? No, he had them at gunpoint actually! they had their arms up! It’s not supposed to be taken very seriously. Many episodes have massive plot holes. That’s ok!
I think a faked death would be entirely credible since the show is about sting operations. However his understable bitterness toward the producers might make for a miserable set.
Ralph some people aren’t that smat
Dang r didn’t take. Like I was saying, some people aren’t that smart
Not necessarily so, as the script could be written in such a way that Nate’s death was cover for a very important mission and unfortunately after his assignment all information was buried and cannot ever be disclosed.
Yes Nate, as far as I was concerned, was the heart and soul of a team that gave a certain amount of justice to many.
I don’t think I am going to watch Leverage any more. It was so unfair the way they treated Nate
Nate is a fictional character. Timothy Hutton is the actor who played him.
I love Leverage but I don’t like the way they didn’t stand up for Hutton since his character was dynamic. I don’t think that their treatment of him was very fair. After all is said and done, it would be great and wonderful to see them bring “Nate “back to Redemption “. Please bring him back to the show.
I was thinking the same thing but after what they did to him he might not want to come back! Unless they made a on air apology to him!
There was no court case to resolve. They found that he was not guilty and they did not press charges against him. Now having known 14-year-old girls having been one myself I have watched what 14-year-old girls will do but I never believed he did it in the first place. It’s just odd to me that these people come out and say such and such raped me 30 years after it allegedly happened when they’re trying to make the house payment and keep their utilities on because they couldn’t make it in the limelight.
I would say the show could always fake his death but I don’t think Nate will do that to Sophie.
They’ve done worse tho
They can fake his death and have sophie be in on it. Just another long con
That story better be good. Cause the others would be pissed
That could work, but from what I remember, Sophie was sad even when there weren’t others around…which would be a little strange if it was a long con. It would also ruin the impact the death had on the team.
She misses him. Fixed.
It’d be a stretch to compare losing a loved one to missing someone faking his death for a time.
simple, he went off to do a secret mission, but they lost track of him and belive him dead. so sophie was in the long con, but now without hearing from him for months doesnt know if he is dead or what, turns out the was in a turkish prison or something under an assumed name, he finally escapes and comes back.
I like this Steve, you should create your own show. Would probably be interesting just based on what I assume is a quick idea to make this work. Or at the very least join a show as a writer.
That was my thinking… he and Sophie faked his death… I liked the reboot but would have prefered Hutton over Wyle. I don’t know who the real victim is here, but Hutton should be afforded the benefit of the doubt, especially as he was cleared due to lack of evidence.
You know that the possible plot might have been so that even she had to believe it or Nate’s assignment might not have been successful.
Notice that they didn’t do anything graphic such as actually show him dying, that gave me some hope.
We can also keep Harry Wilson, he might not be everyone’s replacement for Nate, but did do a credible job, keep him.
If they lose the case, the most likely option that I could see is that they would be required to pay him for all episodes, past and present, as if he were a starring member of the cast, whether or not he has appeared or will appear, plus punitive damages.
.
That’s a worst-case scenario, mind you, and I can’t see that happening.
Probably Nate’s career is over in Hollywood even if he wins the lawsuit. sad isn’t it.
It is Timothy Hutton the actor who’s career is in jeopardy.
Timothy Hutton, a prolific and award-winning actor, absolutely will have a career regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit. Lawsuits like this are not uncommon.
One of his father’s old connections wanted him to do a job and threatened the crew’s life something like a bomb under Sofie’s car. So he faked his death to keep them safe.
Miss him on the Show! Do Not watch without him on the Show. Just watch the Old Reruns.
You are missing out then. imho
Please don’t quit watching because I am hoping that they’ll write him back in as someone coming in from the “cold”.
Lol if people keep watching then they’ll have no reason to bring him back in, lol
Me too!!!!!
Sadly this is how it is for much, look not all sexual assault claims are real, a lot of them are, however! But there are always people of any gender that use this to get revenge or blackmail others, knowing full well that they can get away with it and the more famous the person is the more damage it will do to their career because everyone on the socials instantly goes against the person and pushing everyone that even is remotely connected to make statements of condemning the person without having all the facts and companies to stop working with them… its the sad time we live in now, at least wait till there is some criminal investigation.
Ya wanna do some victim blaming to go along with all that gaslighting?
It’s not. . False report are always bad. Strain the system to investigate it. Oh btw the most under report in terms of sexual allegations is males getting rape. It happens. 99% never get reported
And there’s false equivalency to complete the trifecta!
Who is the victim? We really don’t know.
Harry, yes, it certainly is a sad state of affairs. Even if it is not true, it messes with their reputation. It certainly must be heartbreaking to a person who is innocent of the wrongdoing he/she is accused of, not to mention the people who care about this person. I have the upmost empathy for people who are victims of sexual assault but have absolutely no respect for someone who uses the accusation of sexual assault as a way to embezzle and/or as a weapon as a way to ruin an innocent person’s life.
Good! I’m glad he’s saying something because I can’t even bring myself to watch the reboot without him. I tried but it’s just not the same. If they were willing to bring him back, I think that would be the best case scenario. I don’t think he really wants the money I think he wants the validation that those accusations against him were completely false.
You’re missing a good show then. Your loss.
If there was never any contracts signed between Dean and Hutton, and it was just a DISCUSSION with no promises made, and no recordings of the conversation, Hutton’s claim and lawsuit has no standing in court. An oral contract means nothing without anything to back it up!! It’s Hutton’s word against a corporation.
Actually it sounds like there was a contract, because there was a comment in another article that the Complaint stated there was no morality clause in the contract…
I suppose in this case Timothy might a bit of Leverage. I will go home now.
Well played, sir. ;-)
Totally agree with you,Mike.
He was under an enormous weight. They ( the court, his lawyer, and others) provided….LEVERAGE !
He was always my least favorite character on the original so I didn’t miss him at all in the reboot. If the show continues I hope they don’t write some convoluted explanation about how he faked his death just to bring him back.
Same.
I was actually happy he was not on Redemption. Too much of the original Leverage revolved around his character’s issues. Plus, I thought his acting was often too over the top.
It’s very doubtful that he will be returning with all the resentments that probably have built up on both sides. Personally, I liked Timothy Hutton’s translation of the Nate Ford character and thought he did an excellent job. But, then, you have your opinion and I have mine. Opinions are a lot like *ss*oles, in that, everyone has one. Oh, well. :)
While denying unequivocally doesn’t make you innocent and and I am all for getting sexual predators at any age, sometimes you have to let God get them. There is no evidence, it happened almost 40 years ago and he is claiming blackmail. Something must have happened, what grown man hangs out with young teenage girls in a hotel room. Just let God sort that one out, he is close to his end end-life anyway.
Funny how you speak of your imaginary friend whilst casting stones at someone you don’t know, who has been cleared by the authorities. Not very Christian if you ask me.
If you click on the link, it sounds like “cleared” is just his attorney’s spin. Prosecutor’s office merely said “declining to prosecute” which merely means they were not confident they could secure conviction – which is emphatically not the same thing.
Your whole comment only exists because you wanted to tell someone else that their God doesn’t exist. If you don’t believe that God exists, then why feel the need to state, what you think, is obvious? Christians are just God-believing sinners, AKA normal humans plus their faith, AKA not perfect. Also, Timothy Hutton could or could not be guilty despite there being a lack of evidence found by authorities because both sides involved in this have reasons to lie.
You have no idea if he even hung out with her. Do we even know if she did go to his hotel room? Apparently you do…..
Citing the lack of a morality clause seems a bit fishy. Basically saying “I did it but you can’t fire me for it”
No, it’s cited to highlight the lack of contractual grounds for their actions. You have to have an argument with grounds in order to bring suit.
Messy indeed! It is innocent until proven guilty. Hollywood in its zeal to do right does wrong. How awful to be cleared of allegations and still be denied employment. I can understand taking a pause through negotiation, but Mr. Hutton deserves better.
“Hutton failed to disclose them to us before or during negotiations for him to reprise his role”
:
So Timothy was supposed to disclose allegations against him that were [evidently] totally fabricated?!
If you have someone who has made multiple attempts to extort you then yes you should disclose that, especially in this era because its not just the person in question’s livelihood at risk but everyone involved. Imagine they had started filming and it had all come out, that would have been the show shut down, maybe even shelved if removing him was too difficult meaning not only just the production company lose money but all those hired now lose their jobs. When it impacts others you have to disclose things and let them make up their own mind about the risk so if they do hire you and it blows up they can at least have some plans
Hmmm… ??? No, I really don’t think anyone should be required to disclose accusations.
I completely agree with you Simon. Also, lack of a morality clause in a non existing contract doesn’t mean that anyone can do anything. We are all responsible for our conduct, and if someone is questioning your reputation through blackmail, you should disclose this to your proposed employer. Many have been taken off of projects for less.
Unless you think he was psychic, he had no idea what the woman was going to resort to. People make threats without following through all the time, and I would think it would be especially prevalent with someone who was rich and famous. And since she had, by the claim, been attempting this for years beforehand, he likely wasn’t taking her seriously any more.
In any case, it could easily have been handled in a way that was less ‘final’, such as the way they handled Hardison’s actor’s inability to commit fully to the show. If the accusation ‘had’ been substantiated, the character could have been given a ‘bus crash’ and been written off, and when it wasn’t, he could have returned.
Really surprised they didn’t have a morals clause in the contract, that seems to be standard.
The lack of that clause gives him a chance to win. All contracts usually have some out so maybe Electric has another clause to help them out
Without Timothy Hutton, I will not watch the new show, Mr. Hutton was the leader of the show and with him and the other characters added the chemistry to make it fun to watch, sorry to hear he will not be in it, sorry that the company did not have faith in him as I did, thing s that happened so many years ago should not be allowed.
They could bring Tim back but not full time. Have a show titled The Day Nate. Died. Show Nate Ford before he died then have a scene where he is tired then goes to sleep on the couch then he dies in his sleep, then you see a gloved hand picking up the cup Nate drank out of and wash it out and put it away then leave before Sophia gets home to find him dead. Meaning Nate was murdered and now the crew finds out and goes after Nate’s Killer.
Ooh, I like it! Sounds like a good place to start! But then with the “bad blood” now between them, I doubt he would want to work with that company again. At least I know that I would have a difficult time doing so for people who I felt had screwed me over like that. :(
Yes, exactly! You said what I was thinking.
I think Noah Wiley has done an excellent job in fitting in with the crew. I always thought Hutton was the least interesting character anyway. Those that say they are not watching without Hutton are the ones missing out. It is still an excellent show. And the character of Brianna is a fantastic addition.
I freaking love the energy and dry wit Wyle brings to the show. Hope he sticks around
Noah Wiley’s character is about as unbelievable as they come. He’s as big an overactor as the likes of Jim Carrey. (That’s not a compliment). I’d say he’s single-handedly ruining the reboot but the writing is abysmal.
Definitely agree…Wiley sucks
Spikenalabama, I agree completely!
Nate gets kidnapped by Damien Moreau and faking his death….. just an idea
I hope this stuff gets worked out and bring him back.
Nonetheless the show is still great!
I’d like to have made back & hardison as a regular character. The librarian could be the background character with the sister
If they don’t have any evidence he did anything wrong, why should his career be ruined over an unproven accusation from 40 years ago? There are only two people who likely know the truth. I think he should get the benefit of the doubt until the evidence says otherwise. There is a 50/50 chance he is the victim in this case.
I watched every episode of the original and Redemption, and enjoyed both shows. Noah Wylie did a good job, as always, but I held out hope that when it was announced Canadian law enforcement found “a glaring lack of support and proof of Ms. Johnston’s claim”, that a way would be found for Nate Ford to return. “The Second Miracle Job”…
This is hard because I actually see both sides. I missed Tim on the first season of the revival and while I love Noah his character just didn’t seem to gel as well. Hopefully they can work out negotiations. I don’t want this to have any effect on the 2nd season or forthcoming ones. They should have taken Tim Hutton evidence into view, especially as he had proof of being extorted – but I also feel he should have made the issue known way before he did. Dean Devlin has been a HUGE supporters for everyone who has worked for him. Hell because of him Christian Kane finally got a top spot on a TV show that’s been deserved for a long damn time. I just can’t pick a side on this one.
And you aren’t wrong on not picking a side. We don’t get enough information from reporting to pick sides. I hope they work it out. it would be nice if they could work it out amicably.
That Noah Wylie is a wonderful actor and a great addition to the show. Even if Tim Hutton could/would come back, I would hate for them to do away with the two new characters as they add a special dimension to the show. And as for Dean Devlin, I think he does a great job. I guess I have nothing bad to say about anybody connected to this show. I can understand how they wanted to “protect” the show; however, it is totally ashamed that someone’s reputation is tarnished if they are innocent. It is terrible to work on a career for thirty or forty years and then be accused of something that was said to happened about forty years ago. It may be difficult to come forward, but forty years? Why so long? It seems that accusations ruin many opportunities unfairly. Life is NOT fair, but it is still sad.
I’m watching Redemption right now. I liked the show with Hutton and the current one with Wyle. I hope this is handled well . As for theories on Nate’s return , in order for Sophie’s grief to hold true , I’m all for fake death of Nate with Sterling in on it .
They could fake his death especially if someone was out to kill him and his team that’s what they do for each other the allegations against him in my opinion shouldn’t have anything to do with him coming back to the show he was a big part of it and nobody else can take his place !!! p.s I’m a huge fan
Not leverage will not be with out their leader Hutton
they could always bring him back as a cousin from the home country as his father would say. they could use it as Sophie and the team seeing him and making them think they are losing it until its revealed who he is!