Update: Netflix and Media Rights Capital announced thatHouse of Cardshas been suspended indefinitely, according to The Hollywood Reporter.The streaming service and production companys joint statement comes after a sexual harassment claim against the shows lead actor and executive producer,Kevin Spacey.
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, said the statement, which comes just one day after Netflix announced the showssixth and final season would come in 2018.
In October,Rent star Anthony Rapp revealed a 1986 incidentwhere Spacey made sexual advances on the then-14-year-old actor. Despite the timing, a Netflix spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter the decision to end House of Cards after its sixth season was made months ago.
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Netflix and production company Media Rights Capital added in a separate statement that they are deeply troubled by last nights news concerning Kevin Spacey.
In response to last nights 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, the companies said. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time.
House of Cards 13-episode sixth season is currently in production in Baltimore. Spacey won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama for his work as Frank Underwood.
Former House of Cards showrunner Beau Willimon said of the accusations against Spacey, Anthony Rapps story is deeply troubling. During the time I worked with Kevin Spacey on House of Cards, I neither witnessed nor was aware of any inappropriate behavior on set or off. That said, I take reports of such behavior seriously and this is no exception. I feel for Mr. Rapp and I support his courage.
Spacey apologized for his actions and came out as gay in a statement soon after Rapps account was published Sunday night; GLAAD and actors Zachary Quinto and George Takei were among those to criticize the timing of Spaceys revelation.