Netflix has dropped Kevin Spacey as the actor faces a swirl of accusations of sexual assault and harassment, announcing Friday it would not be involved with any further production of "House of Cards" involving its star.
Netflix also announced it would not be moving forward with a Gore Vidal biopic that Spacey starred and produced in and was in post-production.
Spacey's Golden-Globe winning role as corrupt, murderous politician Frank Underwood made "House of Cards" into one of Netflix's first breakout original hits. The show premiered in 2013 and aired its fifth season this year.
The Hollywood Reporter reports:
"Netflix will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey. We will continue to work with MRC during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show," the streamer said in a statement. "We have also decided we will not be moving forward with the release of the film Gore, which was in post-production, starring and produced by Kevin Spacey."
Netflix's decision to cut ties comes days after Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp alleged on Oct. 29 that Spacey made unwanted sexual advances towards him in 1986 when Spacey was 26 and Rapp was 14. Spacey issued a statement in which he said he did not remember the incident but "sincerely apologized." Spacey also drew ire when he used that same statement to come out as a gay man.
On Oct. 30, Netflix confirmed that the upcoming sixth season would be its last, a decision the streamer said pre-dated the allegations made against Spacey. However, shortly thereafter, Netflix and producer Media Rights Capital said they were "deeply troubled" by the claim made by Rapp and said in a statement that executives from both companies had traveled to the show's Maryland set to meet with cast and crew and "to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported.
The show, which had already announced the sixth season next year would be the last, reportedly is reworking the final season to write out Spacey's character. The last season ended with Underwood resigning from the White House, with his wife and vice president Claire Underwood ascending to the presidency.
Since Rapp's story emerged, a flurry of sexual harassment and assault allegations by men, some underage, against the Oscar-winning actor have come forward over several decades of his career, including on the set of "House of Cards."
Spacey has since been dropped by his agent and publicist, and he also had an international Emmy award rescinded.