Rowell’s Lawsuit Is Dismissed — For Now

A federal judge yesterday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) against CBS, Sony Pictures Entertainment and the soap’s producers. Rowell claimed that Y&R refused to rehire her in retaliation for her public complaints about the lack of diversity at the soap both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. The defendants filed a motion back in May for the case to be dismissed based on their contention that casting decisions are protected by the First Amendment — and that Rowell never actually applied for or auditioned for a Y&R role after exiting the show in 2007.

California District Judge John Kronstadt dismissed six causes of action against Sony, with leave to amend if Rowell can prove a more viable retaliation claim. For more on this story, see Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.