'Wednesday' actor Percy Hynes White reportedly written out of show after sexual assault allegations
Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.
Fans of Netflix's hit series Wednesday may no longer see more of Percy Hynes White, who plays the role of Xavier, after he was reportedly written out of the show following allegations of sexual assault.
A source close to his family told Daily Mail that Netflix had dropped the 22-year-old Canadian actor from the series after he was accused of assaulting a woman at a party in Toronto. The insider, however, said that these were all false and that White is a "wonderful young man."
"Percy is respectful, gracious, talented actor, a true professional. He's unfailingly polite to all, including the crew and his fans, most of whom are loyal to him as it should be," the source said.
"For Netflix to drop him from the show is a disgrace. It was just false rumors. It's just not right," they added.
While Netflix announced that the record-breaking comedy horror show will be returning for a second season, they have yet to make a final decision on the casting due to the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strike that shut down nearly all productions and film sets.
Despite the development, the insider said that everything is still well for White as he has other projects in store, such as a romantic comedy film he filmed with his Wednesday co-star Jenna Ortega.
"People in the business know his character and talent. Netflix and the show Wednesday should be ashamed of themselves for treating him so unfairly," they said.
The accusations against the actor surfaced back in January through multiple social media posts claiming White and his friends manipulated women to have sex with them. These reports came just when he was gaining prominence as Xavier Thorpe, one of Wednesday's love interests in the show.
White has vehemently denied the "campaign of misinformation" about him.
"The rumors are false," he wrote in an Instagram story. "I can’t accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted, or criminally negligent of people’s safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust toward victims."
Wednesday follows the titular character as she navigates high school at Nevermore Academy, all the while dealing with a serious investigation involving serial killers, murders, and monsters all tying to her family.
In the first season, White and Ortega were joined by Gwendoline Christie, Jamie McShane, Hunter Doohan, Emma Myers, and Christina Ricci. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán also appeared as guest stars.
Netflix is yet to disclose the plot details and release date of the second season, although the ending of the first one teased that Wednesday has gotten herself her "very first stalker."
