Former production assistant Ijaaz Noohu has sued Amazon MGM Studios, Big Indie Pictures, and showrunner Ed Brubaker in California state court over a hostile work environment on the crime drama series Criminal, alleging sexual and racial harassment, religious discrimination, assault, and battery.
Lawsuit Alleges Severe Workplace Harassment and Firearm Incident on Set
The legal action details a troubled production environment behind the scenes of Amazon MGM’s upcoming adaptation of the comic book series Criminal. According to court documents filed on Wednesday in California state court, production assistant Ijaaz Noohu accuses showrunner Ed Brubaker of creating a hostile working atmosphere characterized by pervasive harassment. Noohu, a Sri Lankan American filmmaker, seeks unspecified damages for claims including sexual and racial harassment, religious discrimination, assault, and battery.
Among the most alarming allegations in the complaint is an incident where Brubaker allegedly pointed a working firearm directly at Noohu’s face and pulled the trigger. The lawsuit does not provide further specifics regarding the firearm incident, but notes that a senior producer witnessed the event and ultimately ignored it.
Specific Claims of Harassment and Discriminatory Remarks
The complaint outlines a pattern of targeted misconduct directed at Noohu during his employment. According to the filings, Brubaker subjected Noohu to repeated and pervasive
sexual harassment, which allegedly involved comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair, uninvited back rubbing, prying into his private sex life, and making rape jokes. The lawsuit also claims Brubaker directed the production assistant to a bikini barista
establishment as a cruel prank.
Beyond sexual harassment, the lawsuit details ethnic and religious discrimination. Brubaker allegedly aimed demeaning stereotypes
at Noohu concerning curry, invoked the Tiger Mom trope, referenced the television show Never Have I Ever, made assumptions about his mathematical abilities, and repeatedly mislabeled him as Indian rather than Sri Lankan American.
As one of the few Muslim individuals working on the production, Noohu also faced religious harassment, including direct questions about whether he supported Hamas.
Production Leadership Accused of Turning a Blind Eye
The lawsuit targets not only Brubaker but also the corporate and creative apparatus overseeing the series, including Amazon MGM Studios and Big Indie Pictures. The complaint argues that management failed to investigate misconduct that occurred openly on set.
Executive producer Philipp Barnett is specifically named for allegedly enabling the environment. According to the lawsuit, Barnett instructed other staff members to avoid documenting complaints regarding Noohu’s treatment and was overheard making dismissive remarks.
Barnett also allegedly stated La la, I’m not hearing that,
when confronted with reports of mistreatment.
Retaliation and Exit From the Series
Tensions on set escalated after Noohu requested a promotion and formally challenged the ongoing misconduct. The lawsuit states that following these actions, his scheduled exit date was moved up, he was barred from the set in retaliation, and his employment concluded in September 2024 without receiving credit on the production.
The project itself represents a major milestone for Brubaker, an acclaimed comic book writer recognized for his foundational work on Marvel’s Captain America—where he created the Winter Soldier character—as well as titles for DC Comics including Batman and Catwoman. Prime Video ordered a series for Criminal in January 2024, marking Brubaker’s first time serving as a television showrunner.
Studio Silence as Legal Proceedings Begin
As the legal battle commences in California state court, responses from the corporate entities involved have been minimal. Amazon MGM declined to comment on the pending litigation, while Big Indie Pictures and Ed Brubaker did not respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations outlined in the lawsuit filed on Wednesday. Observers and industry professionals are now watching to see how the studio responds to the hostile work environment suit as the legal process moves forward.
