Citizen Rose: Why you won't see Harvey Weinstein's face or hear his name
At a preview screening for the upcoming E! reality-documentary series Citizen Rose, EW learned that the show will depict Harvey Weinstein as the “monster” that Rose McGowan considers him to be.
Premiering with a two-hour special Tuesday night, the five-part series garbles any mention of Weinstein’s name, which is predominantly heard in archival news footage, and runs a black bar across his face at all times. In addition, his name is completely blurred out when seen in news chyrons, newspaper headlines, and other forms of print.
McGowan later adds, “I don’t like saying his name — the monster, that is. He doesn’t deserve it. He doesn’t deserve my acknowledgment.” She then looks into the camera: “You’re beneath humanity. You don’t even get a name.”
Last October, the New York Times reported that McGowan had privately reached a $100,000 settlement with Weinstein in 1997 over her allegation of rape against him. (Weinstein has categorically denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.) Included in the first wave of publicly revealed sexual misconduct allegations against the disgraced Hollywood mogul, McGowan has since emerged as a central figure in the #MeToo movement, calling out her industry’s culture of complicity and misogyny as she gears up for the release of her memoir, BRAVE.
Citizen Rose tracks McGowan’s current life as an activist and in preparation for the publication of her memoir. EW confirmed at the preview screening that the show began filming before the New York Times report was printed — that is, before Weinstein’s dramatic fall from grace. The series thus follows her as the #MeToo movement takes shape.
The premiere episode includes footage of McGowan on the day of the Times story breaking, reacting to the news. It also captures her in the immediate aftermath of the New Yorker’s publication of multiple pieces by Ronan Farrow, which featured several more allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein and revealed a dramatic spying conspiracy Weinstein had allegedly orchestrated against McGowan.
Citizen Rose premieres with a feature-length episode Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. ET. The rest of the show will air in the spring.
