Producers of the Netflix show “House of Cards » are considering killing off Kevin Spacey’s character.
Producers of the Netflix show “House of Cards” are considering killing off Kevin Spacey’s character in the wake of sexual assault allegations against the actor.
Its creators are discussing alternatives for the popular show’s future without the actor, who portrays protagonist Frank Underwood, a villainous politician in the series, according to a Variety report.
One possibility is to concentrate the series’ sixth and final season on Underwood’s wife, played by Robin Wright.
Producers are leery of keeping the actor on board after CNN reported that Spacey created a “toxic work environment” on set. Allegations of groping and propositioning were among the claims in the report.
The show is produced by Media Rights Capital, whose producers are looking for a way to keep the show alive — and to keep its 300 cast and crew members employed, Variety reported.
Filming on the show’s sixth season had recently begun, which suggests it’s not too late to amend plotlines, according to the report.
Fans say they’d be interested in seeing Wright’s character take over the lead role.
“Can #RobinWright just be the lead of @HouseofCards now? We’re ready for it,” actress Jessica Chastain tweeted.
Producers could face legal hurdles if they try to write Spacey out of the show.
Spacey’s contract could prevent the show from continuing without him, according to Variety.
Production on the show’s sixth season was suspended Tuesday, two days after Anthony Rapp claimed Spacey sexually assaulted him when he was 14 years old.
On Thursday, Spacey was dropped by his agent at CAA. His publicist, Staci Wolfe, also severed ties with the actor.
On Friday, Scotland Yard said it was investigating an allegation that Spacey sexually assaulted a male actor in London.
Media Rights Capital is also reportedly weighing a possible spinoff of “House of Cards,” Variety reported.
