Actor Frank Langella says he's 'been canceled' after Netflix firing

Frank Langella
(Image credit: Rich Polk/Getty Images for Center Theatre Group)

Frank Langella is speaking out after being fired by Netflix for alleged misconduct.

The Oscar-nominated actor was removed from his role in the upcoming Netflix series The Fall of the House of Usher last month after he was reportedly accused of inappropriate conduct on set. Weeks later, he has written an essay for Deadline about his firing, which he opens by declaring, "I have been canceled. Just like that."

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"It was a love scene on camera," Langella writes. "Legislating the placement of hands, to my mind, is ludicrous. It undermines instinct and spontaneity."

After the scene, Langella says his co-star walked off set, and he was told to give her space. "I waited for approximately one hour, and was then told she was not returning to set and we were wrapped," he writes. A week after an investigation into the incident, he says he was fired.

"I lost a thrilling part, the chance at future earnings and perhaps face a stretch of unemployment," Langella says, adding, "Most importantly, my reputation has been tarnished."

The actor ends the essay by blaming "cancel culture," which he calls the "antithesis of democracy."

Netflix has declined to comment on the situation, but Langella has already been replaced with Bruce Greenwood in the show.

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Brendan Morrow

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.