Netflix’s uber-successful Dear White People is slated to begin production of its fourth and final season. Unfortunately, they will be one relevant character down due to the fact that Jeremy Tardy just announced his departure.
The reason as to why is even more disheartening. The actor revealed that Lionsgate was not paying him the same as his white counterparts.
Allegedly, the production company offered him a certain amount to return to the show, he countered and was turned down, However, a white ally told him that he was offered the same amount but when he countered — his request was accepted.
Tardy has spoken out about the flagrant discrimination via Twitter.
‘Unfortunately I will not be joining NETFLIX’s Dear White People for its fourth and final season due to my experience with Lionsgate and their practices of racial discrimination. After being offered to return for several episodes my team was notified that our counter offer would not be considered and that the initial offer was the “best and final”. This news was disturbing because one of my white colleagues — being a true ally — revealed that they too had received the same initial offer and had successfully negotiated a counter offer. My team expressed this issue to Lionsgate and the producers maintained their position that the white actor was able to negotiate while I was not- regardless of my credits and experience.’
[embed]https://twitter.com/Jeremy_Tardy/status/1304498705853079552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw[/embed]He went on to reveal that he and other cast members were supposed to stick together as a form of protest until they were treated equally. That didn’t work out.
[embed]https://twitter.com/Jeremy_Tardy/status/1304498710630391808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw[/embed]‘With this information six recurring cast members, along with myself, banded together on Monday, August 30th o pass on Lionsgate’s initial offers. Our stance was to move powerfully as a unit in the negotiation process and, more importantly, to stand on principle because this is not simply a monetary matter. We were all aware of the notorious pay disparities between people of color and our white colleagues on Netflix and Lionsgate shows; so this made it blatantly obvious. However, our collective bargaining power was undermined with side deal offers and lack of transparency. These tactics led to some individuals taking deals before the collective group received a fair and equitable negotiation process.’
Lionsgate has responded by denying the allegations and claiming that they simply could not come to an agreement.