House of Cards season 6 production suspended amid Kevin Spacey allegations

The actor has issued a public apology

The production of House of Cards, one of the most celebrated political TV series, is to be suspended among controversy over a sexual harassment allegation involving main star Kevin Spacey.

Netflix, which streams the Washington-based political drama starring Spacey as ruthless US President Frank Underwood, along with the production company, Media Rights Capital, said they were putting a hold to production of the sixth series of the show, which also stars Robin Wright as the First Lady who goes on to be the nation’s first female president, Clare Underwood.

“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,” they said in a joint statement.

The news came two days after Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp claimed that Spacey had sexually assaulted him when he was aged 14.

Spacey immediately apologised. But the form of his apology, in which he sought to link it to his public coming out as gay man, sparked widespread criticism. Many accused the 58-year-old actor of wrongly conflating sexuality with sexual abuse.

Previously it was confirmed that the sixth series of the drama, which is filmed in Baltimore, would be the last. Reports said this decision was not linked to the allegations levelled by Rapp.

Following Rapp’s allegations, Netflix and Media Rights Capital, issued a statement saying they were deeply concerned by the developments.

“In response to last night’s 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,” they said. “As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time.”

In the aftermath of Rapp’s accusations, and with more and more people detailing stories of sexual abuse and harassment following the allegations levelled at movie producer Harvey Weinstein, Spacey apologised.

He also said he could not remember the incident Rapp was referring to.

“If I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour,” he said on social media. “And I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.”