Netflix has announced it will proceed with filming the final season of its popular show “House of Cards†despite firing the show’s main star Kevin Spacey last month.
Speaking
at a media conference in New York, Netflix Content Chief, Ted Sarandos
announced Spacey’s character Frank Underwood would not be a part of the show’s
sixth season.
Mr Sarandos said the final season would instead focus on actress Robin Wright’s
character, Claire Underwood as the lead.
House of Cards, which first premiered in 2013, was one of Netflix’s first
original-series to receive huge success. The show, based off a British
mini-series, focused on Frank Underwood, a corrupt US president. Wright played
alongside Spacey, with her character developing from the wife of a congressman,
to first lady, to vice president and most recently as a newly elected
president.
Wright’s portrayal of Claire Underwood won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress
in a Drama TV Series in 2014.
Mr Sarandos said the final season had a “good creative conclusion†and he was
excited for the show’s ending to “bring closure†to fans.
Netflix initially announced the show would be suspended after allegations of
sexual harassment were raised against the show’s star Kevin Spacey.
However, the streaming giant came under fire when it severed ties with Spacey
as a result, for allegedly leaving over 2000 Baltimore workers involved with
the show’s production, unemployed indefinitely.
Allegations against Spacey initially surfaced after he was accused of making
sexual advances towards fellow actor Anthony Rapp, when Mr Rapp was
14-years-old.
Spacey responded to the claims and issued an apology saying he was “horrifiedâ€
and did not remember the incident occurring.
Since then more people, including former and current House of Cards employees,
have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against the actor.
Netflix have not revealed details on when production of House of Cards will
wrap up or when the final season is expected to be available online.
