Neal McDonough is no longer part of the ABC cast of the new Scoundrels because the script called for him to do a sex scene. The devout Catholic and father of three balked, and he got replaced three days into filming for his trouble, reports Radar. McDonough, 44, is best known for his roles on Desperate Housewives, Band of Brothers, and Boomtown.

Plenty of big-name female actresses refuse to do love scenes, notes Margaret Eby at Salon, but it's rare to find a guy who draws the line. "It’s easy to dismiss McDonough as out of touch with the industry or perhaps even a religious nut, but the more I thought about it, the more I admired the guy. Given the constant turmoil in most stars’ love lives and how difficult it seems to be to stay married in Hollywood, maybe McDonough’s move isn’t so much self-defeating as it is smart."

http://www.newser.com/story/84962/actor-leaves-abc-series-over-sex-scene.html?utm_medium=fark&utm_campaign=pop

It's getting very rare these days to find someone who has the courage of their convictions. I have nothing but admiration and respect for Mr. McDonough for taking a stand for what he believes in!

It's getting very rare these days to find someone who has the courage of their convictions. I have nothing but admiration and respect for Mr. McDonough for taking a stand for what he believes in!

Absolutely! Considering all the sex scandals that have been saturating the airwaves lately, this is a bit refreshing to read about.

Let's see ... he has no trouble playing a psycho killer, but making LOVE is where he draws the line? Disordered priorities.

Let's see ... he has no trouble playing a psycho killer, but making LOVE is where he draws the line? Disordered priorities.
I also remember when he played a lawyer having a long-term extramarital affair on Boomtown. Not sure if there were any bedroom scenes between them or not, but I haven't seen the show since it was on back in the 2002-03 season. A lot can change in 7 years.

In any case, I say good for him for standing up for what he believes now - even if it did cost him a gig (not to mention $$$$$). :cool:

If ABC wants to create scenes for these actors to do that they don't want, they should just use common sense by giving up.

its on abc - how bad could the sex scene actually be?

it's not like they can really show anything graphic, just suggestive anyways.

its on abc - how bad could the sex scene actually be?

Consider the fact ABC harbored NYPD Blue, which broke a lot of television taboos like nudity!

Consider the fact ABC harbored NYPD Blue, which broke a lot of television taboos like nudity!

(gasp) :eek:

If ABC wants to create scenes for these actors to do that they don't want, they should just use common sense by giving up.

No, they'll find others that will do them.