Netflix cuts ties with Kevin Spacey
Producers said to be writing Frank Underwood out of flagship Netflix series.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News, Streaming, Top Stories
Netflix has cut ties with Kevin Spacey, following ongoing allegations surrounding sexual assault and harassment.
Spacey has been suspended from House of Cards by production company Media Rights Capital, reportedly a legal move ahead of his termination from the show.
“Netflix will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey,” a spokesman for Netflix said in a statement. “We will continue to work with MRC during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.”
“While we continue the ongoing investigation into the serious allegations concerning Kevin Spacey’s behavior on the set of House of Cards, he has been suspended, effective immediately,” MRC said in a statement. “MRC, in partnership with Netflix, will continue to evaluate a creative path forward for the program during the hiatus.”
Sources say that the shutdown will last for two weeks — and possibly longer — to provide the writing staff time to rework the season and write Spacey’s ‘Frank Underwood’ out of the show. Production on the first two episodes had already been completed and a table read for episode three was on the schedule.
Netflix is also cancelling the Gore Vidal biopic, Gore, which had wrapped shooting in Italy in recent days, just as the scandal erupted. Spacey plays the title character in a film where “A young man spends a summer in Italy where he meets his idol, Gore Vidal, who teaches him about life, love, and politics.”
BuzzFeed published further allegations yesterday in which accusers detailed being inappropriately groped and asked for sexual favours by the actor.
Spacey is currently seeking “self-evaluation and treatment” following the week’s headlines.
Source: Variety, Hollywood Reporter
Share
- Tagged with Gore, House Of Cards
9 Responses
In saying that, we seem to be having a lot of judgement by media here. The court system is the place to settle these issues, not the media.
I feel for the writers in this situation.They would have had series six all planned out,now they have to go back to scratch and write a whole new storyline at short notice.It’s a tough ask for anyone.
Career ending for KS….Pres Underwood should be assassinated by someone he sexually assaults
the way season 5 ended Clare could become the main Character. I will miss what season 6 would have been tho, Frank fighting to get back into the white house…. I actually think Clare is more dangerous and would make for some interesting viewing.
Given where the story sits after season 5, it’s actually in a good position to send Frank packing. But dramatically it’s all going to end up a bit like Poochy, I fear.
Underwood died on his way back to Gaffney.
maybe Clare put a hit out on him.
Wow that’s a strong and big move from Netflix. Good on them.
Mrs Underwood killing Mr Underwood to preserve their legacy is the plot of The Final Cut, so Frances’s assassination was likely the ending anyway. Can they make a series about the aftermath instead of the build up to it instead? Netflix’s movies are still a small part of their business and Orange Is The New Black and Stranger Things are bigger shows. Uploading Gore and S6 with Spacey would drag them into a constant battle with the media and internet with no upside, while firing Spacey with grounds probably means they can claim on production insurance for Gore.