In a shocking revelation, Ashley Johnson, renowned for her role as Ellie in The Last of Us, along with six other women, has filed a lawsuit against Brian Foster, accusing him of a series of grave charges, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and more.
The civil case, lodged in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, unveils a chilling tale of manipulation and abuse. Johnson, who was previously engaged to Foster, reportedly lived under a constant shadow of fear, intimidation, and trauma due to Foster’s alleged erratic and threatening behavior.
The actress sought an emergency protective order against him after he purportedly attempted to extort $150,000 from her. The lawsuit details Foster’s alleged acts of physical intimidation, such as punching through glass, hurling objects, and verbally assaulting Johnson, leaving her perpetually off-balance and traumatized.
The court documents further reveal that Johnson had substantial reasons to believe that Foster might act on his threats, as he began carrying around a large black duffel bag and an ammo case with two airsoft guns modified to resemble real firearms and a garotte, a strangulation device, after their breakup in March. Foster allegedly took control of Johnson’s home security apparatus to monitor her movements and activities closely.
The lawsuit also brings to light the harrowing experiences of other women who have accused Foster of demanding from them explicit photos, groping, and wielding his authority in the industry to manipulate them. These women, too, reportedly hesitated to come forward earlier due to fear of retaliation.
Critical Role, the platform where Foster was previously employed, responded to the allegations, stating it was unaware of his behavior and expressing its commitment to supporting the colleagues who went through this ordeal. It assured that measures are being taken to ensure its workplace and culture meet the expectations of safety and respect for all.
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of Foster, describing him as a person fueled by drugs and alcohol, making wildly inappropriate and unwanted sexual comments, treating women as sexual objects, groping them without consent, and responding with obscenities, intimidation, and threats to those who resisted or confronted him.
One of the plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Foster, under the influence of alcohol, audaciously groped her and attempted to engage in non-consensual sexual acts. Another plaintiff, Adrienne Cho, claimed that Foster harassed and groped her during an event, leaving her stunned and horrified.
Danielle Carr, a producer at Critical Role, alleged that Foster demanded explicit photos from her and sent her unsolicited explicit images of himself. Carr also accused Foster of making explicit sexual advances towards her, which she reluctantly complied with due to fear and manipulation.
The lawsuit also mentions other victims, including Whitney McKeil and Maude Garrett, who each shared their unsettling encounters with Foster, contributing to the mounting evidence against him.
Foster, in response to the allegations, noted the impact of the lawsuit on his reputation and personal life, highlighting his journey of recovery from substance abuse. He expressed concern that the legal filings led people close to him to believe he had relapsed and was engaging in abusive behavior.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the entertainment community watches closely, awaiting justice for the victims and accountability for the accused in this deeply unsettling case. We hope this case highlights the importance of addressing and confronting abusive behavior, irrespective of the stature or reputation of the individuals involved.
