Danny Masterson Finally Fired From Netflix’s ‘The Ranch’

Well, this has been a long time coming: Danny Masterson has finally been fired from Netflix‘s “The Ranch.” The news comes as the show was in the middle of filming its twenty-episode third season, marking another show this fall that the streaming giant has had to deal with a major star removal mid-stream (the other being “House Of Cards,” obviously).

Unlike Netflix’s swift action in getting rid of Kevin Spacey, the company has been criticized loudly for failing to take action when serious allegations of rape and sexual assault surfaced against Masterson earlier this year. The evidence against the former “That ’70s Show” star and active Scientologist is apparently “overwhelming,” to the point where there have been serious questions about why the LAPD has so far failed to press charges. However, the pressure on Netflix and officials surrounding the case is continuing to grow, particularly as it came to light that former Scientologist Leah Remini interviewed some, or all, of Masterson’s accusers for an episode of her award winning A&E show “Scientology and the Aftermath.”

Netflix faced even more pressure this week when Andy Yeatman, Director of Global Kids Content, unknowing told one of the accusers straight to her face, that “we don’t believe them” when it comes to the allegations. Netflix quickly distanced itself from Yeatman and those comments.

Masterson has already responded to his firing, and maintains his innocence, releasing the following statement to Huffington Post:

I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix’s decision to write my character off of ‘The Ranch.’ From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one.

In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, in the current climate, it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused. I understand and look forward to clearing my name once and for all.

The second season of “The Ranch” is still scheduled to air on Netflix on December 15th.