Jeffrey Tambor announced over the weekend that he is going to step down from hit Amazon show Transparent that has earned him 2 Emmys. As it turns out, Tambor's option for Season 5 had not been picked up prior to the sexual misconduct allegations according to Deadline. The news comes after 2 transgender women accused the actor of sexual harassment on the set of the show. Amazon is currently investigating both allegations and has been speaking to Jill Soloway, members of the production, and Tambor. Neither Amazon nor Soloway have provided a response to Tambor's announcement.

While speaking with Deadline, Jeffrey Tambor announced that he was leaving Transparent while also denying the allegations that he sexually harassed two transgender women on the set. Tambor explains.

"Playing Maura Pfefferman on Transparent has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life. What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago."

It appears that Tambor came to the conclusion on his own and left the show on his own. As previously mentioned, Amazon has yet to make a statement regarding Jeffrey Tambor's exit from Transparent.

Jeffrey Tambor continued and mentioned that the political climate in the entertainment industry is part of the reason why he left the show. The actor also apologized again and mentioned that his actions were not intended to be malicious. Tambor had this to say.

"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."

While the announcement comes as a shock, it appears that the show was already exploring a way to move on without Tambor. In addition to the sexual misconduct allegations, Jeffrey Tambor is also reportedly pretty difficult to work with.

The writers of Transparent looked into the situation and were reportedly moving forward with Season 5, which was ordered by Amazon ahead of the Season 4 premiere, without Jeffrey Tambor's character, Maura Pfefferman. The decision came after the allegations that have been made against the 63-year old actor by his former assistant, Van Barnes. Late last week, Tambor's transgender co-star Trace Lysette, had also accused the actor of sexual assault. Lysette, who plays yoga instructor Shea in the show, claims Tambor pressed up against her in a sexual way during filming and repeatedly made lewd sexually suggestive remarks.

Show creator Jill Soloway appeared during a panel in Hollywood over the weekend and refused to comment on the situation since there was an ongoing investigation happening. While Jeffrey Tambor's announcement comes as a shock, it seems that it was going to happen no matter who made the decision first. In any event, Tambor has beat everybody to the punch and quit Transparent before he could get fired. You can read more about Jeffrey Tambor's decision to quit via Deadline.