Jeffrey Tambor: 'I don't see how I can return to 'Transparent''

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Jeffrey Tambor has stepped down from his role in the Amazon dramedy Transparent after four seasons amid sexual harassment allegations he has strongly denied.

"Playing Maura Pfefferman on Transparent has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life," the 73-year-old actor told Deadline Sunday.

"What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago," Tambor said "I've already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue. Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don't see how I can return to Transparent."

Tambor won an Emmy and several other awards for his portrayal of a family man who comes out as transgender late in life.

The Hollywood Reporter said the show's writers were already working on Season 5 when the first of two transgender women -- a former assistant and a cast member -- alleged Tambor had acted inappropriately toward them.

The entertainment industry trade newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying series creator Jill Soloway and her team of scribes have been trying to save the show from cancellation and are looking for a way to write out Tambor's character.