‘Criminal’ Showrunner Ed Brubaker Sued by Former Production Assistant Over Alleged Workplace Harassment

Prestige crime dramas often carry weight before they even premiere, built on the reputation of the creative talent attached to them. That’s especially true for adaptations of beloved source material, where fans and industry insiders alike watch closely to see how faithfully a project comes together behind the scenes.

Amazon MGM’s upcoming series ‘Criminal,’ based on Ed Brubaker’s acclaimed comic book series, has spent months quietly moving through post-production after wrapping filming back in 2024. That relatively long gap between production and release has now taken on new significance following a legal filing that surfaced this week.

A former production assistant has sued ‘Criminal’ showrunner Ed Brubaker, alongside Amazon MGM Studios and production company Big Indie Pictures, alleging sexual and racial harassment, religious discrimination, assault and battery. Ijaaz Noohu, a Sri Lankan American filmmaker with 14 years of industry experience, filed the 12-claim complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking unspecified damages.

According to the complaint, Noohu began working on the production in February 2023 and alleges Brubaker subjected him to repeated and pervasive sexual harassment, including comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair, rubbing his back without consent, prying into his private sex life, and joking about rape. The lawsuit also alleges Brubaker directed Noohu, as what the complaint describes as a cruel prank, to a “bikini barista” establishment where servers wore only bathing suits.

The complaint further alleges that Brubaker subjected Noohu, described as one of the few Muslim individuals on the ‘Criminal’ set, to demeaning ethnic stereotypes and repeatedly questioned whether he supported Hamas. Noohu also alleges he faced discriminatory remarks tied to stereotypes about his background, including comments referencing his presumed mathematical ability.

Among the most serious allegations in the filing is a claim that Brubaker pointed a working firearm directly at Noohu’s face and pulled the trigger during production. The complaint does not provide further specifics about that alleged incident but states it was witnessed by a senior producer who took no action in response.

Noohu’s attorney, Fahim Rahman, wrote in the complaint that a supervisor with authority over the entire production committing such an act, and having it go unchecked, illustrates the culture of impunity that pervaded the ‘Criminal’ production, according to Deadline, which first reported the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleges that Noohu faced retaliation after seeking a promotion during production, claiming his exit date was moved forward and that he was subsequently barred from set access after challenging the alleged misconduct. His employment on the project ended in September 2024, and the complaint states he was not credited on the production despite his time working on it.

Beyond the specific claims against Brubaker, the lawsuit also accuses Amazon MGM and Big Indie Pictures of failing to investigate alleged harassment and discrimination that it says occurred openly and was witnessed by multiple people, including senior producers on set. Big Indie Pictures has previously worked on projects including “A Complete Unknown,” “Manchester by the Sea” and “Still Alice.”

Brubaker is a prolific comic book creator whose work spans both Marvel and DC, with ‘Criminal’ representing an adaptation of his own interlocking crime comic series. As of this reporting, neither Brubaker nor representatives for Amazon MGM Studios have issued a public response to the specific allegations outlined in the complaint.

It’s important to note that these remain allegations made in a legal filing rather than established facts, and the case has not yet been resolved in court. With ‘Criminal’ still awaiting an official release date following its 2024 wrap, this lawsuit adds a significant new layer of uncertainty to the project’s path toward audiences.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!