Netflix cuts ties with Kevin Spacey after sexual misconduct allegations

Netflix Inc. has severedties with Kevin Spacey, one of its biggest stars andthe lead in its popular dramaHouse of Cards,after a numberof allegations of sexual misconduct against the Oscar-winningactor.

The streaming company suspended production earlier this weekof the upcoming sixth and final season of the political intriguedrama, in which Spacey plays U.S. president Frank Underwood.

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"Netflix will not be involved with any further production ofHouse of Cardsthat includes Kevin Spacey," the company saidin a statement late on Friday.

Spacey's publicist cut ties with him on Thursday and it wasnot known who currently represents him.

His departure may not mean the end of the show, however.

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"While we continue the ongoing investigation into theserious allegations concerning Kevin Spacey's behaviour on theset of House of Cards,he has been suspended, effectiveimmediately," Media Rights Capital, the company that producesthe show, said in a statement.

"MRC, in partnership with Netflix, will continue to evaluatea creative path forward for the program during the hiatus," itsaid.

The Netflix statement also said the company will work withMRC to determine the show's future.

The streaming service has also changed the main image of House of Cards on its site. It no longer showsSpacey, but instead Robin Wright, who plays his wife.

Spacey, who has had a successful career in film, televisionand theatre, is one of several big names in the entertainmentbusiness to be accused of sexual misconduct by people comingforward in the wake of allegations against movie producer HarveyWeinstein.

Spacey apologized last weekend to actor Anthony Rapp, whohad accused him of trying to seduce him in 1986 when Rapp was14. CNN reported on Thursday that eight current and formeremployees of House of Cards,who were not identified, allegedsexual misconduct against Spacey.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm any of theaccusations.

Spacey, as part of his apology to Rapp, announced he wasgay, which angered many in the LGBT community and beyond who sawhis announcement as an effort to divert attention from the accusation by Rapp.

Spacey has sought evaluation and treatment, hisrepresentatives said in a statement on Wednesday, withoutproviding details on the nature of the treatment.

The announcement that he would seek treatment followedharassment allegations against him this week by Mexican actorRoberto Cavazos, who worked in the London theatre where Spaceywas artistic director from 2004-15, and U.S. filmmaker TonyMontana.

MRC said in a statement on Thursday it had handled oneincident in 2012 in which a crew member it did not identify"shared a complaint about a specific remark and gesture made byKevin Spacey" and that immediate action had been taken and theissue was resolved.

It said Spacey had "willingly participated in a trainingprocess" and that it was not aware of any complaints since theninvolving the actor.

Netflix's move to cut ties with Spacey went beyond House ofCards.

The company will not release the film Gore,which was inpost-production and was produced by Spacey, its statement said.Spacey plays the late writer Gore Vidal.