As more and more actresses come forward to share their stories of harassment or assault at the hands of Harvey Weinstein, more and more actors are speaking out against the movie mogul.
But it looks like Weinstein's dark past is set to cast a long shadow as incidents involving the producer have ignited feelings of remorse and contrition among those who failed to at on information they were given.
One such bystander, for whom recent news has left him questioning his own response to industry misconduct, is British actor, Colin Firth.
In recent days, former actress, Sophie Dix, who starred with Colin in The Advocate, revealed she chose to leave the industry after an encounter with Weinstein left her traumatised.
After being forced onto a hotel bed by Weinstein in 1990, Sophie explained that she managed to break free and hide in the en suite only to find Weinstein masturbating upon her decision to re-enter the bedroom.
Colin Firth has this week revealed that his former co-star told him of the incident, but he failed to act on it.
Releasing a statement to The Guardian on the subject, Colin said: “I am extremely pleased that Sophie is speaking out after so many years. I ran into her at a party some time after filming Hour of the Pig – around 25 years ago. She told me she had had a distressing encounter with Harvey Weinstein."
"I don’t think she went into all the horrific detail I’ve read in her interview. But I remember her being profoundly upset by it. To my shame, I merely expressed sympathy. I didn’t act on what she told me."
"It was a long time ago and I don’t know if she remembers telling me, but the fact that I had that conversation has come back to haunt me in the light of these revelations. It’s the only direct account of this kind of behaviour by Harvey Weinstein that’s ever been told to me."
"What I heard, it turns out, was part of a horrifying pattern. Other women have been hurt since. And those of us who didn’t act on our one bit of knowledge – and especially those of us who went on to work with Weinstein – have that on our conscience. I admire Sophie’s courage. This can’t have been easy.”
Responding to Colin's statement, Sophie expressed gratitude, saying: "I am delighted Colin has spoken and I remember him being very supportive at the time."
"It’s never easy speaking out but I wanted to help resolve this problem and show that women cannot be treated like this in the workplace.”
Colin starred in The King's Speech which was backed by Miramax – the company founded by the Weinstein brothers.
