"The Royals" showrunner Mark Schwahn has officially been fired amid sexual harassment allegations, Lionsgate announced Thursday.
"We have concluded our investigation and Mark will not be returning to 'The Royals.' The fourth season of the show has already completed production and will air as scheduled on E! in the spring," the studio said in a statement.
Schwahn, 54, has been suspended from the drama since mid-November, when more than 40 women _ mainly his female colleagues from "One Tree Hill" _ accused him of sexual harassment.
Lionsgate said at the time it was taking the allegations against the showrunner "very seriously" and would suspend Schwahn as it opened an investigation.
Hilarie Burton calls out NBC for not firing Mark Schwahn
"One Tree Hill" actress Sophia Bush celebrated Schwahn's ousting on Twitter.
"43 women came forward. To the ones who did and to the ones who didn't or couldn't, I hope this news is a salve to your souls. To the other predators out there? I hope this is a lession that sometimes, even if it takes time, justice is served. You're next," she wrote.
Still, the delayed response angered some close to the situation, including actress Hilarie Burton, who claimed Schwahn once forcefully kissed her and shoved his hands down her pants while they were working on "One Tree Hill."
120716118160, 21334631,
Stars accused of sexual harassment and assault
Shortly after Matt Lauer was fired late last month, Burton tweeted her frustration with NBC's apparent hypocrisy (NBC Universal owns E!).
Hilarie Burton details sexual harassment by Mark Schwahn
"It's amazing to me that NBC can fire Lauer, but Mark Schwahn _ after over 40 women have come forward _ is still on 'suspension' over at E! We just waiting for the whole thing to blow over? New day, new headline? Fire the predator. #BurnItDownSis," she wrote.
The accusations against Schwahn stem from his behavior on the set of "One Tree Hill," which he created and executive produced from 2003 to 2012.
After writer Audrey Wauchope claimed on Twitter that he acted inappropriately, the entire female cast and crew of the show released a joint statement accusing him of sexual harassment.
Wauchope alleged that he hired writers specifically because he "wants to f _ k you" and that women avoided sitting next to him on office couches.
Mark Schwahn suspended from 'The Royals' amid harassment claims
In the statement, which was signed by stars including Burton, Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz and Jana Kramer, the women alleged that Schwahn often put them in uncomfortable situations on set and manipulated them psychologically and emotionally.
