Netflix cancels House of Cards in wake of Kevin Spacey backlash
Netflix has pulled the pin on Kevin Spacey's hit series House of Cards less than 24 hours after he was accused of "deflecting" allegations he made a sexual advance towards a teenage boy in 1986 by coming out as gay in his apology.
Netflix is currently in production on a sixth season of the award winning political drama, however just one day after Spacey sparked a furious backlash, it's now been revealed that season will be the show's last.
While the online streaming service has not confirmed the cancellation is directly linked to the allegations against Spacey, producer Media Rights Capital and Netflix said they were "deeply troubled" by the claims.
"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. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time."
The sixth season will be the last for the House of Cards series. Source: Netflix
The 58-year-old stage and cinema actor, a double Oscar winner, has been widely considered one of the finest actors of his generation with a glittering stable of career credits.
But on Monday he came under a torrent of fire over claims from fellow actor Anthony Rapp that he "made a sexual advance" at a party 31 years ago while Rapp was under age, and was accused of trying to deflect the story by finally confirming what has been an open secret in Hollywood for years - that he is gay.
Rapp, 46, told Buzzfeed that in 1986, while both he and Spacey, who would have been 26 at the time, were performing on Broadway, Spacey invited the then 14-year-old to a party at his New York home.
Rapp said he was in Spacey's bedroom watching TV when Spacey, "kind of swaying" and apparently drunk, came in after all the other guests had left, picked him up, put him on the bed and lay on top of him.
Spacey has won several awards for his role as Frank Underwood on the program. Source: Getty
"He was trying to seduce me," Rapp told Buzzfeed.
"I don't know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually."
Rapp said he squirmed free after a brief period of time and went into the bathroom. Shortly after, he left Spacey's apartment and went home.
Spacey responded within hours, posting on his Twitter account at midnight (US east coast time) that he was "beyond horrified" by Rapp's account.
The Oscar-winner's apology over sexual misconduct allegations has been slammed online. Photo: Twitter/Kevin Spacey
