Production halted on House of Cards over Spacey allegations
PRODUCTION HAS halted on the sixth season of hit drama
following a historical harassment allegation made against lead star Kevin Spacey.
Online streaming service Netflix and show producers Media Rights Capital (MRC) said in a statement that the suspension would continue until “further notice”.
The statement read: “MRC and Netflix have decided to suspend production on season six, until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew.”
The decision follows a claim by actor Anthony Rapp, who stars in the newly relaunched
series on Netflix, who told online publication BuzzFeed that Spacey had placed him on a bed and climbed on top of him following a party at his apartment. Spacey would have been 26 at the time of the alleged 1986 incident, while Rapp would have been 14.
Spacey, who plays Francis Underwood in the political thriller, responded with a statement posted on Twitter on Monday, where he said he was “beyond horrified” by the claims.
He added that the story had made him “address” other personal matters and that he chooses “now to live as a gay man”.
The two-time Oscar winner, 58, has also faced a backlash from London theatre The Old Vic, where he was formerly artistic director.
Barely two years after Spacey finished a 12-year stint at the helm of the company, a spokeswoman said in a statement: “The Old Vic would like to respond to recent media reports by making it clear that we are deeply dismayed to hear the allegations levied against former artistic director Kevin Spacey.”
The statement added: “Inappropriate behaviour by anyone working at The Old Vic is completely unacceptable.”