Kevin Spacey breached House of Cards contract and must pay $31 million, arbitrator rules
The production company behind House of Cards has been awarded more than $30 million after an arbitrator found disgraced star Kevin Spacey, who was fired over sexual misconduct allegations, breached his contract.
MRC was awarded $31 million in the arbitration case after alleging it lost millions of dollars due to Spacey's removal from the show in 2017, The Wall Street Journal reports. The arbitrator ruled that Spacey violated MRC's sexual harassment policy and ordered the actor and his production companies to pay $29.5 million in damages and $1.2 million in attorneys' fees, according to Variety.
Spacey starred on the Netflix political drama House of Cards for five seasons, and production on a sixth season was underway when the actor was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017. After Spacey was fired from the series over the allegations, two episodes had to be scrapped as the season was rewritten to excise his character. MRC alleged it suffered millions in damages as a result, while the actor filed a counterclaim alleging MRC owed him money, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
MRC alleged it conducted an investigation finding that Spacey "breached provisions of both the acting and executive producing agreements that set standards for his workplace conduct, including by breaching MRC's harassment policy," per the Journal. The arbitrator determined Spacey, who was accused of groping a production assistant on the show, was liable due to his "egregious breaches of contract," Variety reports.
Spacey apologized in 2017 after actor Anthony Rapp alleged the actor made a sexual advance toward him when he was 14, and numerous other accusers subsequently came forward to accuse him of harassment or assault. In 2019, a charge against Spacey was dismissed after the accuser pleaded the fifth.
MRC in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter celebrated the ruling, saying it "set out to push for accountability" because the "safety of our employees, sets and work environments is of paramount importance."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Marine Le Pen's fake jobs trial
The Explainer The far-right French leader could face a fine, jail time, and a five-year ban from public office if found guilty of embezzlement
By Abby Wilson Published
-
How to earn extra cash for Christmas
The Explainer The holiday season can be expensive but there are ways to bolster your festive finances
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published