House of Cards production stopped indefinitely: season six left hanging

Netflix has taken its House of Cards plans down a notch, revealing that production of the sixth season has been indefinitely stopped while the company talks with cast and crew. The news arrived shortly before additional allegations of sexual misconduct against actor Kevin Spacey. Netflix and producer Media Rights Capital had announced earlier this week that it would cancel House of Cards after its upcoming sixth season.

Netflix and Media Rights Capital confirmed the news to Deadline, explaining that they have "decided to suspend production on House of Cards season six, until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew." Executives from both companies reportedly met with the crew and cast members earlier this week to discuss whether "they continue to feel safe and supported."

The cancellation news followed a claim by actor Anthony Rapp that Spacey had made sexual advances toward him when he, Rapp, was 14 years old. Netflix was reportedly already considering cancelling the show after its sixth season, and the allegations appeared to be the catalyst for finalizing that decision. However, two more individuals have surfaced with their own claims of sexual misconduct from Spacey.

The two companies planned to continue production on the show's sixth and final season, but confirmed yesterday a report that the production had been indefinitely suspended, leaving the season's premiere uncertain. Netflix had originally planned to launch the final season some time next summer; whether that will change with this production disruption is unclear.

Sources have since surfaced claiming that Netflix and MRC are planning a sequel to House of Cards, one that doesn't yet have any final storyline but that may revolve around series character Doug Stamper. Whether that particular concept will get the greenlight, though, is unclear, as sources claim there are multiple concepts currently being considered.

SOURCE: Deadline