Shonda Rhimes could not agree less with those who say sexual harassment is a tricky issue.
The showrunner of such hits as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” has no problem with actors and employees in the workplace starting romantic relationships with other co-workers.
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“I don’t find sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace to be tricky territory,” Rhimes said at ABC’s Television Critics Association press tour on Monday. “I think it’s very clear what’s appropriate and what’s not.”
Many of Rhimes’ shows feature stories about work colleagues in relationships. “Work isn’t a place to shoot people in the face, either,” continued Rhimes. “Seriously. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on on these shows that’s not appropriate for the real world.”
So will workplace relationships or sexual harassment be a leading theme in the new Shondaland series “For the People”? Executive producer Paul William Davies says no, but it isn’t because of the “Me Too” or “Time’s Up” movements.
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“This show has its own energy, and that wasn’t a priority for me in terms of setting up the show,” said Davies. “There is certainly romance, and even sex, but it doesn’t come out of the gate in the same way. It’s a little bit of a slower burn.”
“For The People” premieres Mar. 13.
