Kurt Sutter, creator of FX’s Mayans MC and its concluded predecessor Sons of Anarchy, has been fired as showrunner for the former due to a number of complaints about his behavior. The decision was reportedly handed down yesterday by Disney TV Studios chairman Dana Walden and FX CEO John Landgraf. The writer-producer, who had been reprimanded before for crude outbursts, will still remain under an overall deal with Disney-owned 20th Century Fox. The series will now be helmed by its co-creator, Elgin James. The show is currently in the midst of its second season.
In a letter to the show’s cast and crew, Sutter referred to himself as an “abrasive d*ck,” and pointed to his taking a more limited role on the show as another reason for his firing. He states, “As you know, I’ve removed myself quite a bit this season, allowing others to take a bigger role in producing the show. It appears that philosophy has backfired. It’s been reported by writers, producers, cast and crew that my absence and subsequent behavior when there, has only created confusion, chaos, hostility and is perceived as abandonment. Or at least that’s how Disney has interpreted it. I’m sure it’s true.”
The move to dismiss Sutter comes after a massive purchase of Fox’s assets by Disney. Among those assets was network FX, which has long served as home for gritty dramas like Mayans MC. Disney’s takeover of the network was expected to bring a change in culture, with the entertainment conglomerate expected to take a tougher stance on raunchy and untoward behavior like Sutter’s. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sutter indicated that he had been told of a “different climate” that would come with the takeover, and was implored by Landgraf “to acknowledge it and be aware of it and move in step with it.”
Mayans MC follows a Latino biker gang featured in Sons of Anarchy as they seek to run their criminal operation along the US-Mexico border. The show has yet to be renewed for a third season.
Mayans MC airs Tuesdays at 10pm on FX.