Carly Hughes has departed ABC comedy series American Housewife, where she was a series regular for the first four seasons, alleging toxic environment and discrimination as reasons for her exit. Hughes left after the end of Season 4. She was featured in the Season 5 premiere, the bulk of which was shot before the March production shutdown because of the pandemic. Beginning with Episode 2, her name no longer appeared in the opening credits.

`I was no longer able to work in the toxic environment that was created on American Housewife,` Hughes said in a statement. `I made the decision to leave to protect myself from that type of discrimination. As a black woman in entertainment, I feel the responsibility to stand up for what I deserve, what we all deserve - to be treated equally. I wish the show well, and I am excited for a new chapter and to be able to pursue the opportunities ahead.`

According to sources, the allegations made by Hughes, the only Black series regular on American Housewife, triggered an extensive HR investigation by ABC Signature, which also looked into other claims from production team members.

View this post on Instagram

#AmericanHousewife regular Carly Hughes has left the ABC comedy, citing a "toxic environment." Her comments and why creator Sarah Dunn has been removed from active duty, at the link in bio.

A post shared by Hollywood Reporter (@hollywoodreporter) on Nov 9, 2020 at 4:20pm PST

Following the probe, American Housewife creator Sarah Dunn is no longer an active producer on the show, Mark J. Greenberg stepped down as line producer, and showrunners Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz underwent sensitivity training.