Michael Weatherly, known for his role in NCIS, faced controversy when he left the show after Season 13 to join the series Bull in 2016. Although Bull was successful, it was marred by issues, especially when Eliza Dushku unexpectedly left the show. Eliza was supposed to become a regular cast member in future seasons, so her sudden departure came as a surprise to many. It was later revealed that Eliza left due to alleged workplace harassment by Michael, who was the lead on Bull.
Eliza accused Michael of making inappropriate comments about her appearance, leading to an embarrassing and humiliating experience for her on set. The situation worsened when Michael reportedly contacted network executives after Eliza went public with her allegations. As a result, Eliza was written off the show.
During the height of the #MeToo movement, Eliza continued to speak out, prompting CBS to investigate her claims. The investigation included the release of outtakes from Bull, which provided some evidence of the alleged harassment. In 2018, CBS settled with Eliza for $9.5 million, an amount equivalent to what she would have earned if she stayed on the show for four more seasons.
Following the settlement, Michael Weatherly addressed the allegations, admitting to making inappropriate remarks to Eliza. He acknowledged that his comments were not funny or appropriate and expressed regret for causing her pain. Despite the seriousness of the accusations, Michael remained on Bull until the series ended after his departure.
The Irish Star reached out to Michael’s representatives and CBS for comments on the situation. For more news and features on Irish America, you can visit our homepage.
