Entertainment industry publications report that Netfiix has cut ties with Kevin Spacey, Emmy-winning star of "House of Cards," in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey.

The Hollywood Reporter quotes a statement Netflix released Friday that says the streaming service "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 MRC in the statement refers to production company Media Rights Capital, which issued its own statement, saying that Spacey has been "suspended, effective immediately" from "House of Cards."

The statement also said that the company is continuing "ongoing investigation into the serious allegations concerning Kevin Spacey's behavior on the set of 'House of Cards.'"

These actions are part of the fallout that followed actor Anthony Rapp's ("Star Trek: Discovery") allegations that Spacey made sexual advances on Rapp in 1986, when Spacey was 26 and Rapp was 14.

Spacey's response, posted on Twitter shortly after Rapp's interview was published on the BuzzFeed News site Oct. 29, generated its own controversy. Spacey wrote that he didn't remember the encounter Rapp referred to, "But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I'm sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years."

And then, Spacey confirmed that he was gay, which many found an offensive attempt to deflect attention from Rapp's allegations.

Since then, it was announced that the sixth production of "House of Cards," the political drama that helped establish Netflix's reputation as a home for original series, would be its last.

On Oct. 31, Netflix and Media Rights Capital announced that production on the sixth season would be suspended, "to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew."

The New York Times has reported that more men have come forward alleging that Spacey behaved inappropriately, including during the 11 years Spacey was artistic director of the Old Vic theater in London.

As the stories continued to emerge, a representative for Spacey issued a statement to the New York Times, saying, "Kevin Spacey is taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment. No other information is available at this time."

BuzzFeed News reported last night about three more men who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey.

The accusations toward Spacey come in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment and rape directed against Harvey Weinstein, whose company has produced movies and TV series. The New York Times and New Yorker reports unleashed a wave of allegations from women in the entertainment industry, who cited examples of inappropriate behavior by many high-profile figures, including Jeremy Piven, Emmy-winning star of "Entourage." Piven, who currently appears in the CBS series, "Wisdom of the Crowd," has denied the allegations.

The future of the final season of "House of Cards," in which Spacey has starred as ruthless politician Frank Underwood, is being evaluated, the Hollywood Reporter notes. Spacey's character is likely to be written out, and the focus may shift to Frank's wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), who has been a key character during the show's previous five seasons.

-- Kristi Turnquist



kturnquist@oregonian.com

503-221-8227

@Kristiturnquist