UPDATE, Oct. 31: Production of Season 6 of the Netflix streaming television hit “House of Cards” has been suspended in the wake of sexual assault allegations against the show’s star, Kevin Spacey. Netflix and Media Rights Capital put out a statement on Tuesday, as reported by The Daily Beast and others: “MRC and Netflix have decided to suspend production on House of Cards season six, until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew.”
Original story: One day after Kevin Spacey was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old actor when he himself was 26, Netflix announced that “House of Cards,” the political drama in which Spacey stars as Frank Underwood, will end after its sixth season.
Deadline and other outlets reported that the streaming service made the decision to cancel the show Monday, following Sunday’s report from Buzzfeed containing the allegations by actor Anthony Rapp.
“House of Cards” is currently shooting what will be the final season, and some have speculated that the show was ripe for cancellation regardless of the reports of Spacey’s alleged 1986 conduct.
Netflix and producer Media Rights Capital released the following statement Monday:
“Media Rights Capital and Netflix are deeply troubled by last night’s news concerning Kevin Spacey. In response to last night’s revelations, executives from both of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time.”
According to Buzzfeed, Rapp made his allegation public for the first time since 1986. He said Spacey befriended him while they both performed on Broadway shows, invited Rapp over to his apartment for a party, and, at the end of the night, picked Rapp up, placed him on his bed, and climbed on top of him, making a sexual advance.
Spacey responded to the allegations on Twitter, in a post which he also decided to come out and announce that he was choosing to “now live as a gay man.”
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
“House of Cards” was a critical smash when it launched on Netflix in 2013. Spacey’s role as the murderous South Carolina congressman-turned president became a defining one, especially in relation to political turmoil taking place in real life in Washington, D.C.
Robin Wright stars as Frank Underwood’s wife Claire Underwood, an equally manipulative character who achieves historic status in Season 5 of the show.
The 13-episode Season 6 is expected to debut in mid-2018 on Netflix, Deadline reported.
