Blacklist Star Adele Heather Taylor Settles Abuse Lawsuit Against Late Screenwriter's Estate

A legal battle that began in conflict has finally reached resolution.‘Blacklist’actress Adele Heather Taylor and the estate of her late estranged husband, Roberto Orcí, have officially settled her sexual assault lawsuit, ending months of explosive courtroom warfare before a trial ever took place.

The settlement was filed Wednesday in court documents obtained by the publication, signaling the end of a case that had grown increasingly bitter. The agreement comes with conditions—dismissal of the case is expected by year’s end once all terms are satisfied. Notably, the filing reveals no financial details or other specifics of what both sides agreed to behind closed doors.

This case carried serious allegations. Adele had countersued Orcí for at least $17 million after the‘Star Trek’and‘Transformers’screenwriter initially accused her of domestic violence in a lawsuit filed before his death in February 2025. But Adele’s countersuit painted a starkly different picture, claiming she was actually the victim throughout their relationship. She alleged Orcí engaged in sexual assault, physical abuse, violent threats, and emotional torment that escalated over time—including an incident where he allegedly slapped her repeatedly in a New York City cab, sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, and threw her belongings and her blind-and-deaf dog Nigel out of a car during a violent confrontation.

Orcí’s camp had fiercely denied everything, calling Adele’s claims“fabricated”and accusing her of physically attacking the screenwriter while he struggled with alcoholism. Yet somehow, both sides found common ground enough to settle rather than let a jury decide.

What remains unclear is whether the settlement represents validation of Adele’s claims, a pragmatic choice by Orcí’s estate to avoid further litigation, or something in between. The silence around the deal’s terms leaves room for interpretation—and raises questions about what closure actually looks like when serious allegations meet an untimely death.