Judge dismisses some of Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against 'Ends With Us' actor

Lively will still be allowed to put many of her allegations before a jury, her lawyer says she looks forward to testifying.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:04pm

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An extreme close-up of shattered glass reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the tension and conflict between the two Hollywood stars involved in this legal dispute.The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over alleged on-set misconduct exposes the complex boundaries between creative expression and harassment in the entertainment industry.NYC Today

A federal judge has dismissed some of Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against her 'It Ends With Us' co-star and director Justin Baldoni, but left intact three claims, including retaliation, that will allow a jury to hear many of the allegations. Lively sued Baldoni and his production company in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment during the filming of the movie. Baldoni had countersued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion, but those claims were dismissed last June.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around defining appropriate on-set behavior and the boundaries between creative expression and harassment, especially in the entertainment industry. The judge's ruling suggests that some of Lively's allegations may not meet the legal threshold for sexual harassment, even if they were inappropriate, raising questions about how the law applies to creative work environments.

The details

The judge determined that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee, so she could not bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. However, the judge said some evidence might enable a jury to conclude that Baldoni's production company planned to damage Lively's reputation and destroy her career out of fear she'd file a discrimination claim. The judge noted that Baldoni's conduct, such as leaning in to kiss Lively, rubbing his face on her neck, and commenting on her appearance, would likely support a hostile work environment claim in a more traditional workplace, but said it was 'directed to Lively's character rather than to Lively herself' in the context of filming a movie scene.

  • The lawsuit was filed in December 2024.
  • The judge dismissed Baldoni's countersuit claims against Lively and Reynolds in June 2025.
  • The trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026.

The players

Blake Lively

An American actress who starred in and produced the film 'It Ends With Us', and has filed sexual harassment claims against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni.

Justin Baldoni

An American actor, director, and producer who starred in and directed the film 'It Ends With Us', and was sued by Blake Lively for sexual harassment.

Ryan Reynolds

An American actor who is Blake Lively's husband, and was named in a countersuit by Baldoni and his production company that was later dismissed.

Judge Lewis J. Liman

The federal judge who ruled on the dismissal of some of Lively's sexual harassment claims against Baldoni.

Sigrid McCawley

Blake Lively's attorney, who stated that Lively looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on the retaliation she faced.

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What they’re saying

“Lively claims that during filming, Baldoni leaned in and gestured as if he was intending to kiss her, and that he kissed her forehead, rubbed his face and mouth against her neck, put his thumb to her mouth and flicked her lower lip, caressed her, and leaned into her neck, saying 'it smells good'.”

— Judge Lewis J. Liman, Federal Judge

“Creative artists, no less than comedy room writers, must have some amount of space to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment.”

— Judge Lewis J. Liman, Federal Judge

“This case has always been and will remain focused on the devasting retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively's reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial.”

— Sigrid McCawley, Blake Lively's Attorney

What’s next

The trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026, where a jury will hear the remaining claims, including retaliation, that were not dismissed by the judge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in defining appropriate on-set behavior and the boundaries between creative expression and harassment, especially in the entertainment industry. The judge's ruling suggests that the law may not always align with public perceptions of what constitutes harassment, underscoring the need for clearer industry standards and better protection for actors who speak up about misconduct.