Streaming network Netflix will cease working with Kevin Spacey on its show House of Cards and is also declining to release a film starring the actor, who has been accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Spacey apologised last weekend to actor Anthony Rapp, who had accused him of trying to seduce him in 1986 when Rapp was 14. Spacey publicly came out as gay at the same time as making the apology, for which he was roundly criticised.

Production on House of Cards, in which the Oscar-winning Spacey plays US president Frank Underwood, had already been suspended on Tuesday.

Amid other allegations, including that the actor had a relationship with a 14-year-old boy in the 1980s, CNN reported eight current or former House of Cards workers have claimed Spacey made the production a “toxic” workplace. One ex-employee alleges the actor sexually assaulted him.

Spacey has not been arrested or charged with any crime and has not commented since his apology to Rapp. Earlier this week the actor’s publicist said Spacey was “taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment”. It is understood the publicist has since cut ties with the actor.

In a statement, Netflix said it “will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey. We will continue to work with MRC (production company Media Rights Capital) during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.

“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.”

Gore is a biopic based on the life of writer Gore Vidal, directed by Michael Hoffman.

Netflix had previously announced it was ending the Emmy-nominated House of Cards at the conclusion of its upcoming sixth season, amid sexual allegations against Spacey.



London police are reportedly investigating Spacey for a 2008 sexual assault, British media reported on Friday. Police did not identify Spacey by name but said the department’s child abuse and sexual offenses unit was investigating the reported assault after it was referred to police earlier this week.



Spacey was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London for 11 years until 2015. Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos said this week there were many young men who had worked at or visited the Old Vic who had a “Kevin Spacey story”. He added: “It seems that it only took a male under 30 to make Mr Spacey feel free to touch us.”

In 2000, Spacey won the best actor Oscar for his role in American Beauty, where he played Lester Burnham, an advertising executive who becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter’s best friend.

