MAY 15, 2019 7:08AM PT

CBS Entertainment Chief on ‘Bull’ Renewal: Michael Weatherly ‘Realized He Made a Mistake’

By CYNTHIA LITTLETON

CBS considered “the totality of the situation” and remorse expressed by actor Michael Weatherly in making the decision to renewal drama series “Bull” for a fourth season.

Weatherly was accused by fellow “Bull” actor Eliza Dushku of sexual harassment during her brief time on the series in its second season. CBS ultimately paid Dushku a settlement of $9.5 million, after she was let go for what Dushku said was retaliation after she complained about Weatherly’s behavior.

CBS considered Weatherly’s long run at the network — he was previously a star of drama “NCIS” — and the lack of previous sexual harassment complaints in considering the fate of “Bull” as network brass set the 2019-20 primetime lineup. “Bull” production company Amblin Entertainment has severed its ties to the show in the wake of the Weatherly scandal. Amblin founder Steven Spielberg has been active in the Time’s Up movement to combat harassment in the workplace.

Kelly Kahl, CBS Entertainment president, said Weatherly’s apology and remorse were a factor in the final analysis. Kahl also stressed that few at CBS were aware of Dushku’s accusations and settlement until it became public in December when Dushku wrote a scathing op-ed about the incidents for the Boston Globe.

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