Coleman, best known for his role as Tyrese in the TV show, issued a public apology after he was caught on camera ranting at passengers on a New York City subway train when a fellow traveller allegedly hurled a racial slur at him, while another castmember Gilliam was arrested on charges including driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in Georgia on Sunday (03May15).

The show's producer Scott M. Gimple has now come out in support of both actors, calling them "family".

He tells TMZ.com of Coleman, "Everybody on the shows loves him. We care about him a great deal, he's part of the family."

Gimple adds of Gilliam, "He's working that (the DUI) out... I love both those buys, I'm very close to them and they are part of the family."