CBS paid $9.5 million to 'Bull' actress Eliza Dushku over harassment claim

Bull actress Eliza Dushku was paid $9.5 million by CBS to keep quiet over a sexual harassment claim against the show's lead, Michael Weatherly.

The New York Times reports that Dushku was paid the sum after going through mediation with CBS, and the amount was equivalent to what she would've earned if she'd remained a cast member for four seasons.

Dushku joined the Bull cast in March 2017 for three episodes, with plans to make her a full-time cast member.

Then reportedly followed uncomfortable comments from Weatherly about Dushku's appearance, a rape joke, and talk about a threesome.

Dushku confronted Weatherly about the comments, but was shortly written off the show, in what she thought was a result of those concerns being raised.

"The allegations in Ms. Dushku’s claims are an example that, while we remain committed to a culture defined by a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace, our work is far from done," a CBS spokesperson told Mashable in an emailed statement.

"The settlement of these claims reflects the projected amount that Ms. Dushku would have received for the balance of her contract as a series regular, and was determined in a mutually agreed upon mediation process at the time."

Weatherly apologized for his behavior to the Times, admitting to the newspaper that "during the course of taping our show, I made some jokes mocking some lines in the script."

"When Eliza told me that she wasn’t comfortable with my language and attempt at humor, I was mortified to have offended her and immediately apologized. After reflecting on this further, I better understand that what I said was both not funny and not appropriate and I am sorry and regret the pain this caused Eliza," he added.

The settlement comes after longtime CBS head, Les Moonves, was ousted after multiple sexual misconduct allegations.

The Times also reported recently that Moonves had "destroyed evidence and misled investigators" to help his reputation and save his $120 million severance package.