Amazon Studios chief Price suspended on sexual harassment allegations

Roy Price speaking at MIPTV 2017

Amazon Studios has suspended its head, Roy Price, after allegations he sexually harassed a producer and ignored a complaint over about Harvey Weinstein.

The Man in the High Castle producer – and daughter of lat sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick – Isa Hackett went on record in The Hollywood Reporter claiming he propositioned her in a taxi and later at a party in 2015 after a Comic-Con event.

An independent investigation followed, but Hackett said she was unaware of the outcome.

“We take seriously any questions about the conduct of our employees,” an Amazon spokesperson told THR. “We expect people to set high standards for themselves; we encourage people to raise any concerns and we make it a priority to investigate and address them.

‘Accordingly, we looked closely at this specific concern and addressed it directly with those involved.”

Price (pictured) was placed on a leave of absence yesterday, with Amazon Studios COO Albert Cheng placed in charge of the business in the interim.

Actress Rose McGowan has also alleged Price ignored her claim that Hollywood production Weinstein raped her.

Harvey Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Company earlier this week as stories of sexual misconduct and serious criminal assualts followed a major New York Times exposé. Amazon is now considering the future of two series in development with the prodco, namely Matthew Weiner’s The Romanoffs and an untitled Robert De Nero drama.

For his part, Weinstein has apologised for causing “pain” to many women, but is denying all allegations of rape and sexual assault.

“Roy Price is on leave of absence effective immediately,” said an Amazon spokesperson. “We are reviewing our options for the projects we have with The Weinstein Company.”

Price has led Amazon Studios since launch in 2010, overseeing series such as Transparent and The Man in the High Castle – and movies including Manchester By the Sea. The content arm of e-commerce giant Amazon currently has an annual production spend of around US$4.5 billion.

Price could not be reached today.