Michael Loccisano/Getty; Steven Ferdman/Getty
Dexterstar David Zayas will replaceTimothy Busfieldin an upcoming episode ofLaw & Order: SVUafter Busfield was charged withchild sexual abusein New Mexico.
A representative for NBC confirmed toEntertainment Weeklyon Tuesday that Zayas, who previously appeared in a 2002 episode of the long-running police procedural, has been recast in the guest role originally played by Busfield. The episode, titled "Corrosive," was slated to air Jan. 15 but was pulled in the wake of Busfield being charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
The episode "Fidelis ad mortem" aired instead, leaving "Corrosive" in an unclear place. Zayas has now shot his parts for the episode, which is set to air Feb. 6.
Ralph Bavaro/NBC
Awarrant was issuedfor Busfield's arrest Jan. 10. According to a copy of the warrant reviewed by EW, a pair of twin actors accused Busfield of inappropriately touching them while on the set of the Fox crime dramaThe Cleaning Lady, which he executive-produced.
The young actors spoke up about the alleged misconduct as early as November 2024, when a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital requested an investigation after the boys' mother claimed that Busfield "groomed" her sons on set between 2022 and 2024.
Busfield has maintained that he is innocent.
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Busfieldsurrendered to policeon Jan. 13, stating in a videoobtained by TMZthat the allegations against him are "all lies." He added, "I did not do anything to those little boys, and I'm going to fight it. I'm going to fight it with a great team, and I'm going to be exonerated."
Little House on the Prairiestar Melissa Gilbert, who has been married to Busfield since 2013,rallied around her husbandthe day he turned himself in. Gilbert's publicist Ame Van Iden told EW that Gilbert "stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time." Gilbertattended Busfield's first appearancein a Bernalillo County court on Jan. 20.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
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TheSVUguest spot isn't the only role Busfield has lost since the allegations against him were made public.
Amazon MGM Studios plans todigitally remove Busfieldfrom the upcoming romantic comedyYou Deserve Each Other. Busfield's character Bernie, the father of star Meghann Fahy's Naomi, will no longer appear in the film alongside an ensemble featuring Penn Badgley, Justin Long, Ana Gasteyer, and more.
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly
