Last week, one of the core cast members, Cas Anvar, of television series The Expanse has was accused of sexual misconduct. Los Angeles-based Alcon Entertainment, the studio behind The Expanse, has engaged a third-party independent firm to investigate the allegations and the showrunners, as well as cast members, have stated that they are taking these allegations very seriously. Cas Anvar has yet to make a statement but has been absent on social media since the allegations have come out.
The Expanse is an American science fiction television series developed by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, based on The Expanse novels by James S. A. Corey. Actor Cas Anvar plays Alex Kamal, who is part of the main ensemble cast.
The Allegations
Through Reddit and Twitter women shared their stories of how they were on the receiving end of unwanted sexual advances. Reddit user DestinyPigeon posted a thread of the different allegations against Anvar.
While we're throwing out the garbage, toss Cas Anvar onto the pile for targeting female Assassin's Creed fans. I have two friends who told me he aggressively pushed them to meet up with him. One was creeped out and said no. The other he assaulted.
— Lorena 💗💜💙 (@Lorie_O) June 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheNixonParente/status/1276604990908444672?s=19
Receipts because, fuck it. Some choice excerpts of him trying to make me feel bad and that it was all my fault(?) for rejecting him. Bonus screenshot of me sending the screenshots to another con guest to get their opinion (edited for privacy). pic.twitter.com/eMKLKVRCOI
— Madeleine 🌹 (@zhiana) June 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/LaurieSnackwell/status/1275679125097848834?s=19
https://twitter.com/KatzBearz/status/1275838042381496320
He sent me loads of insistent Twitter DMs when I was about 17 and they made me uncomfortable as HELL at the time. Looking back on it years later I’ve realised how creepy and wrong it was.
— Alice✨ (@yeehawhare) June 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/xangiexdx/status/1275539695989121025?s=19
He went on to be like “I’m a good boy, I promise” (we’re laughing because you’re a joke Cas)
I was naïve enough back then to think that shit behavior like his wasn’t the norm and I really regret that I introduced him to people I knew who he eventually hurt 😔 pic.twitter.com/09HOpULzSE
— sporkbot 【𖤐Big Demon Energy𖤐】 (@sporkbot) June 24, 2020
I received Twitter DMs from him, encouraging me to hang out after he saw my Red Sonja cosplay &/or I talked about AC. I was adamant that I had a boyfriend and eventually he stopped messaging me. This was also during a time when an acquaintance was “representing him” at cons.
— Emily | Witchy 🔮🎮 (@witchwordsmith) June 23, 2020
Reading these responses, I’m not surprised but I’m glad it came out because I was one of them. He assaulted me during the messages.. forced me to come to him and I say no. He talked so rude..it was so creepy. I cried and was scared to tell the fans about it.
— Karyn (@KJamjekian) June 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/barflenciaga/status/1275865789896130561?s=20
Years ago he added me on skype, he was disappointed I wasn’t as tan as my pfp. He was telling me to tighten my shirt (I did without knowing better, so embarrassing) and to do other sexual things (I didn’t though) and saying we could meet up and was really sexual and (1/3)
— Lightning (@blazefiresaber) June 25, 2020
I'm mortified by the news of Cas Anvar. Several years ago we met at a convention. He came up and said hello and I was for it. Over time we see each other again and add each other on facebook.
And then the messages start. And turn dark fast. pic.twitter.com/Mbj6sPtwp8
— Bananakin Skywalker 🍌 (@AshleyTroub) June 25, 2020
Okay so after processing stories this morning I am ready to speak again.
I called Cas Anvar out a few years after that all went down and was given an apology that gaslit me so hard that I didnt even see it. Looking back I dont know HOW I didnt see him blaming me. pic.twitter.com/xXmTvUPnJM
— Bananakin Skywalker 🍌 (@AshleyTroub) June 25, 2020
I’m one of the women mentioned in the quote.I was sexually assaulted by Cas Anvar.I knew him for 5+yrs the sexual trauma he caused me over the yrs left me with scars & feeling worthless.I attempted suicide twice because of him. My slience is of fear,he manipulated & gaslighted me https://t.co/zR8BLsYWGz
— Puneet Garcha (@puneet_garcha) June 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/lauradonut/status/1276242244941631488
https://twitter.com/MollyMcIsaac/status/1276286170951909376
Oh, looks like he finally got called out.
So, the "you're a sexy little elf, aren't you?" story? The guy who thought groping my tits would be super exciting for me? Gave me cab money to gtfo as soon as he was done with me?
That was Cas Anvar.
— ✨ nik ✨ (@hyperbali) June 25, 2020
I asked my mod for the twitter password because I too have a similar story with Cas Anvar.
Years ago I entered a fan contest and did some design work. Cas Anvar lead his name to the project and messaged me on Facebook saying he really liked it https://t.co/QUicTFhRzZ
— Fuck Yeah Asexual (@FYeahAsexual) June 26, 2020
Most of the accusations center around inappropriate messages and calls with underage or young women, as well as pressure to skype, meet with him or go to his hotel room. Many of these women were cosplayers at conventions; or fans, that Anvar met while attending pop culture conventions. Some of the original posts listed on the Reddit post have been deleted from Twitter since.
People who corroborated the claims
There are also tweets from former co-workers who claimed to know about or experienced this abuse. In Jessee Foudray’s tweet thread she describes how Anvar solicited her for explicit photos. They met while working on the show Nobility and the actress states that producers even asked her if Cas had ever been inappropriate with her, which she took as a sign that they had received complaints from other women, as well.
Well, after reading the news about Cas Anvar this morning I feel I need to say something to corroborate the victims stories. This guy has a pattern. I worked briefly with Cas on a show called Nobility. He was the star – I was Cas as a flirty crew member. I remember one of my FEW-
— Jessee Foudray (@jes_elf) June 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/hellomunroe/status/1275787388812496897
Response from Showrunners
Showrunner Naren Shankar stated on Twitter: “I rarely post. But to all the fans of #TheExpanse who have taken what our show stands for into their hearts, I want you to know: We are all dedicated to finding the truth and making sure what’s right is done. Some things can’t be said often enough.”
James S.A. Corey, the pen name for Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, writers of the Expanse Novels stated their feelings on the importance of not dodging responsibility.“We’re executive producers and senior writing staff on this show. We will work to be part of the solution when the time comes, whatever that solution winds up being after the full investigation is finished. We don’t dodge responsibility.” Daniel Abraham goes further on his personal twitter and adds: “I have spoken with Naren Shankar, our showrunner, who — like me — supports this. I have no doubt that this is the right next step, and I appreciate Alcon treating this matter with the gravity it deserves.”
Response from Cast
Those who starred alongside Cas Anvar as part of the ensemble cast all made statements in regard to the allegations. Most of the statements were similar in tone. It seems that the entire cast as well as the showrunners are not dismissing the claims and are taking the accusations seriously.
They address their fans as #screamingfirehawks, a name that Cas Anvar uses for fans of the Expanse on twitter. The same hashtag that fans of the show rallied behind in their campaign to keep the show from being canceled. The enthusiasm of the fans is what is credited to saving the show once it was canceled by Syfy and eventually picked up by Amazon Prime Video.
Steven Strait, who plays James Holden, the lead character on the show, does not have social media but did put out a statement through the writers. “I just wanted to reach out to let you know that we hear you. An independent, third-party firm has been engaged by our studio, Alcon, to investigate. These very serious allegations are being treated with the utmost respect and gravity they deserve. Sincerely, Steven.”
Dominique Tipper, who plays Naomi Nagata, also shared her statement both through the writers and on her personal Instagram page. “I want you to know that I do not take this lightly. At. All. As soon as the tweets were seen I escalated them and they are being taken very seriously by our studio, Alcon. Alcon has engaged an independent firm to investigate the allegations. To the women that have spoken: I hear you.” – Dominique.
Wes Chatham, who portrays Amos Burton, simply said: “The past few days have been a whirlwind but I want you to know that you are heard. I’m committed to advocating for those who have been mistreated at a place in time where all voices should be heard, and accusations should be treated seriously.”
Shohreh Aghdashloo, who plays Chrisjen Avasarala tweeted out to Expanse fans: “To all #ScreamingFirehawks, The Expanse team is one that stands for and reflects diversity, equality, and respect on the set and beyond. I assure you, we take these allegations very seriously. We’ll share the results as soon as the investigation has concluded. Yours, Shohreh.”
Neither Cas Anvar nor the firm that is investigating the accusations has given a statement yet.
Written with contributions from ChristinaP and Corrina.
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