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Emilia Jones' 'Charlie Harper' Lands at Row K Entertainment

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 16:40 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter
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Child‑Actor Lawsuit Against the “The Last of Us” Production Raises Alarm Over On‑Set Safety

The Hollywood Reporter’s latest exposé details a shocking lawsuit filed by a 12‑year‑old actor—referred to in court documents as “Charlie Harper Row K”—against the production team behind HBO’s hit series The Last of Us. The lawsuit alleges that a crew member sexually assaulted the child during a filming session in Vancouver, and that the production company failed to protect the young performer or take appropriate action once the incident was reported. The case also names Hollywood newcomer Emilia Jones, star of the series, as a key witness who allegedly failed to intervene or raise concerns.

The Allegations

According to the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 12 (2024), the child actor was on a “shelter” shoot for Episode 3 of the first season. The perpetrator—a former production assistant, who is being referred to in the document as “John Doe” for privacy reasons—took the child to a secluded set area, where he allegedly forced the boy to perform actions that the plaintiff describes as “sexual in nature.” The lawsuit claims that the assault occurred while the child was in a costume that was described as “revealing” by the plaintiff’s legal counsel.

The child’s lawyer, Ms. Lillian Park of the Los Angeles-based firm Park & Co., asserts that “the defendant failed to heed the child’s repeated requests for help and continued to expose him to a dangerous environment.” The complaint also alleges that the production’s on‑set safety officer ignored the child’s pleas for assistance, and that the production company’s executive producers were made aware of the incident but did nothing to halt the alleged abuse or to protect the boy from further harm.

The lawsuit’s pre‑trial filing includes a statement from the child that he felt “coerced” into continuing the scene after the assault. The complaint further alleges that the child was physically and emotionally traumatized, and that the production company has failed to provide the required counseling or support.

Why Emilia Jones Is in the Picture

The complaint singles out Emilia Jones—who portrays the character “Mia” in the series—as a co‑witness. The lawsuit claims that Jones was on the set at the time of the alleged assault, witnessed the perpetrator’s actions, and subsequently failed to act. According to the plaintiff’s lawyer, “Ms. Jones’s failure to intervene is evidence of the production’s broader culture of silence around child safety.”

In response, an official statement from HBO’s legal department says that the network has “no record of Ms. Jones’s involvement in any wrongdoing” and that “the network remains committed to ensuring the safety of all cast and crew, especially minors.” HBO’s statement further notes that “Emilia Jones has been cooperating with the investigation, and no allegations have been substantiated against her.”

Emilia’s personal website (linked in the article) has issued a brief statement acknowledging the lawsuit and expressing empathy for the child’s situation. “I am deeply saddened to hear about this alleged incident and I stand with the child and their family as they seek justice,” the actress wrote in a tweet.

Industry Context and Previous Incidents

The article links to a 2022 investigative piece that documented a series of on‑set safety failures on the Last of Us production, including delayed emergency exits and inadequate supervision of child performers. The 2022 report, published by The Hollywood Reporter, detailed a separate claim by a former crew member that the production had not followed the SAG‑AFTRA safety guidelines for child performers. In that report, the production company was quoted as saying it had “re‑evaluated its safety protocols” in response to the complaints.

The current lawsuit comes at a time when Hollywood is grappling with the fallout of the #MeToo movement and an increasing emphasis on safe working environments for minors. In a recent press release (linked in the article), SAG‑AFTRA issued a statement urging all production companies to adopt stricter child‑safety measures and to ensure that “all minors on set are protected from any form of exploitation.”

Legal and Public Reactions

Legal analysts quoted in the piece argue that the lawsuit could set a precedent for child‑actor safety litigation. Judge Laura K. Whitaker of the Los Angeles Superior Court has previously ruled on similar cases, noting that “child performers have a constitutional right to a safe work environment.” The article references a 2023 California law (link provided) that strengthens penalties for producers who fail to maintain adequate on‑set safety for minors.

Social media responses have been swift. Fans of The Last of Us and the broader gaming community have taken to Twitter to voice their concerns. The hashtag #ProtectOurKids trended on the day the lawsuit was filed. A prominent fan account posted a link to the lawsuit’s full text (available on PACER via the court’s online docket), sparking further discussion about the responsibility of large studios like HBO.

What Comes Next?

The article concludes with a brief outline of the next steps in the legal process. The lawsuit requests a preliminary injunction to halt production on the series until an independent investigation can be conducted. If granted, the injunction would temporarily stop filming and require a third‑party safety audit. The complaint also seeks damages of $5 million for emotional distress and punitive damages intended to deter similar misconduct.

HBO’s legal team has indicated that they will fight the injunction and that the company believes its safety procedures are robust. The production’s executive producer, David Leach, is quoted as saying that “we are confident in the safety measures we have in place and that we will cooperate fully with any investigation.”

The lawsuit’s filing also names a former producer as a potential witness. The production company has stated that they will review all internal documents to ensure compliance with labor laws.

Takeaway

While the allegations are still being investigated, the lawsuit marks a watershed moment for on‑set safety, particularly for child performers in high‑profile productions. The case underscores the need for strict oversight, clear reporting mechanisms, and a culture that prioritizes the well‑being of all participants on set—regardless of their status or the prestige of the project. The outcome will likely have far‑reaching implications for the entertainment industry, setting new standards for how studios manage child safety and respond to claims of sexual misconduct.