Actor sues Apple Studio over COVID vaccination mandate

Actor Brent Sexton is suing Apple Studios, claiming the company rescinded an offer for him to star in a new series because he wouldn’t take a COVID vaccination due to medical reasons, reports MSN. 

He says this cost him nearly US$600,000. In February 2022, Sexton submitted a self-tape audition to play President Andrew Johnson in “Manhunt,” an upcoming Apple TV+ miniseries that focuses on the U.S. government’s search of John Wilkes Booth, after he assassinated President Lincoln. 

His disability discrimination suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Sexton’s suit says he suffers from a platelet deficiency, but Apple still demanded he takes the COVID-19 vaccination, despite the risk to his health. 

About Manhunt

Here’s how the limited series is described: Based on James Swanson’s book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer,” the series is produced by Apple Studios and co-produced Lionsgate, in association with POV Entertainment, Walden Media, and 3 Arts Entertainment.

The Apple series is described as part historical fiction and part conspiracy thriller and will center around the aftermath of the first American Presidential assassination and the fight to preserve and protect the ideals that were the foundation of Lincoln’s Reconstruction plans.

It will also feature Black historical figures whose lives intertwined with the escape, manhunt, and subsequent high-crimes investigation, including Mary Simms, a former slave of the doctor who treated Booth’s injury and gave him safe harbor after his crime.

About Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. 

For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free. For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.