Ex-‘Shrinking’ Assistant Director Files Lawsuit Against Warner Bros. Television for Harassment and Wage Theft
‘Shrinking‘ has established itself as one of Apple TV’s most celebrated comedies over its first three seasons, receiving accolades for its talented ensemble cast and its ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments. Featuring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, the Warner Bros. Television-produced series recently garnered 10 Emmy nominations ahead of this year’s ceremony.
However, the show’s momentum took a dramatic turn shortly after the Emmys on September 14. A new legal complaint has shifted focus from the awards to serious allegations regarding the operations behind the scenes of the production.
Mindy Tessa McKoin, who served as a second assistant director on ‘Shrinking’ for several seasons, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Warner Bros. Television, executive producer and director Randall Winston, and other defendants. The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual harassment, battery, wrongful termination, retaliation, and violations of California labor law.
In her filing, McKoin claims that during the ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 wrap party in June 2024, Winston approached her from behind while she was seated at the bar conversing with another crew member and, without her consent, reached around and grabbed her left breast. She reported the incident to her supervisor, but alleges that Warner Bros. failed to take any corrective action despite being informed of the incident.
The lawsuit indicates that Winston continued to hold his position and directing roles on the show through Season 4, remaining active on set as recently as July 8, just two days before McKoin claims she was terminated. Her attorney, Avi Gholian, stated in the complaint that during McKoin’s tenure on the series, “no performance deficiency, misconduct, or business rationale was identified then or anytime thereafter.”
In addition to the harassment claims, a significant portion of McKoin’s lawsuit addresses wage and timecard disputes. She alleges that early in her employment, she was underpaid for a day’s work and was informed that production accounting had been specifically instructed to record her hours inaccurately. Furthermore, after being offered the Key Second Assistant Director role for Season 4, a position that previously required two individuals, she continued to experience issues with proper compensation and altered time records.
McKoin asserts that she filed written complaints regarding the alleged timecard tampering multiple times between May and July of this year. Following these complaints, she was called into a closed-door meeting where she was accused of being disrespectful to crew members during a tech scout. Ultimately, she was terminated on July 10, a date her attorney notes fell within 90 days of her most recent protected complaints, a crucial detail for the wrongful termination and retaliation claims.
According to reporting from The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. Discovery and Winston did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the lawsuit’s filing. The complaint seeks unspecified general, compensatory, and punitive damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and other financial losses, and was initially reported by Deadline before gaining traction across various entertainment and legal news outlets.
McKoin’s attorney characterized the case as one where a respected crew member was ultimately forced out after raising valid concerns, rather than due to any performance-related issues, asserting that Warner Bros. “knew or should have known of the harassment” through her supervisor and “failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action.”
It’s essential to emphasize that these are allegations made in a civil complaint and have not yet been proven in court. Warner Bros. Television and Winston have not publicly addressed the specific claims outlined in the filing, and no trial date or further legal proceedings have been reported at this time.
This lawsuit introduces an unexpected layer of controversy to a show that had been enjoying a strong run of critical acclaim, with Season 4 of ‘Shrinking’ already confirmed earlier this year. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the production as it heads into its next season.
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