‘Criminal’ Boss Ed Brubaker Hit With Sexual & Racial Harassment Allegations in Lawsuit Ahead of Amazon Series Premiere

Ed Brubaker has spent decades building a reputation as one of comics’ most respected voices, shaping some of Marvel and DC’s most enduring characters while carving out a parallel career in prestige television. His work on titles like Batman, Catwoman, and Captain America, where he created the Winter Soldier, has made him a genuinely influential figure behind the scenes of two of the industry’s biggest franchises.

That reputation extended into his TV writing credits on shows like ‘Westworld,’ ‘Too Old to Die Young,’ and ‘Batman: Caped Crusader,’ before Amazon MGM handed him his first true showrunner role. ‘Criminal,’ adapted from Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ acclaimed 2006 graphic novel series, received a formal series order from Prime Video back in January 2024, with an ensemble cast that includes Charlie Hunnam, Emilia Clarke, Luke Evans, Richard Jenkins, and John Hawkes.

That anticipation has now been overshadowed by serious legal trouble. Ed Brubaker has been sued by a former production assistant on ‘Criminal,’ with the lawsuit accusing him of creating a hostile and abusive work environment marked by sexual and racial harassment, alongside additional claims of religious discrimination, assault, and battery.

The lawsuit, filed in California state court, was brought by Ijaaz Noohu, a Sri Lankan American filmmaker who was hired to work on the production in February 2023. According to the complaint, Brubaker allegedly subjected Noohu to “repeated and pervasive” sexual harassment, including unwanted comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair, rubbing his back without consent, and joking about rape.

The complaint also describes an incident in which Brubaker allegedly directed Noohu, as what’s described as a cruel prank, to a “bikini barista” establishment. Separately, the lawsuit alleges Brubaker subjected Noohu to demeaning ethnic stereotypes, including comments about curry, references to the “Tiger Mom” trope and the show ‘Never Have I Ever,’ and remarks about his presumed mathematical ability, while repeatedly and inaccurately labeling him “Indian” despite Noohu being Sri Lankan American.

Religious discrimination claims are also central to the filing, with Noohu described as one of the few Muslim people on the ‘Criminal’ set. The lawsuit alleges he was repeatedly questioned about whether he supported Hamas. In one of the more alarming claims included in the complaint, Brubaker allegedly pointed a working firearm at Noohu’s face and pulled the trigger, though the filing reportedly does not go into further detail on that specific incident.

The lawsuit doesn’t stop with Brubaker. Amazon Services, MGM, Big Indie Pictures, Big Indie Gemini, and ‘Criminal’ executive producer Phillip Barnett are all named as defendants. Barnett in particular is accused of enabling the alleged misconduct rather than curbing it, with the complaint claiming he directed others to avoid documenting complaints and was heard telling people, “Don’t say that in front of me,” and “La la, I’m not hearing that.”

According to the filing, the corporate defendants failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged harassment despite it occurring in plain view and being witnessed by multiple people, including senior producers. “The corporate Defendants, Amazon, MGM, Big Indie Pictures and Big Indie Gemini, Inc., failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the harassment despite the involvement of high-level supervisors and the presence of numerous witnesses, including senior producers,” the complaint states, as reported by Deadline.

The lawsuit also alleges retaliation, claiming that after Noohu requested a promotion, his exit date was moved up and he was barred from set. Noohu is seeking a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages across twelve total claims. Representatives for Amazon MGM and Brubaker did not respond to requests for comment on the legal action, and no premiere date has yet been set for ‘Criminal.’

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