Instead of suspending production on the sixth season of “House of Cards,” Jessica Chastain thinks Netflix should make Robin Wright the lead of the series in the wake of sexual misconduct accusations against star Kevin Spacey.
“Can #RobinWright just be the lead of @HouseofCards now? We’re ready for it,” Chastain tweeted on Thursday night.
On Tuesday, Media Rights Capital and Netflix decided to suspend production on the latest season of “House of Cards” until further notice “to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew,” read the statement.
The announcement follows “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp telling BuzzFeed on Sunday that Spacey made a sexual advance toward him three decades ago, when Rapp was just 14. Spacey has apologized but said he does not remember the events in question.
Several other accusers have stepped forward since then: On Thursday, New York Magazine published a damning interview with a 48-year-old former actor who said he had started having sex with Spacey when he was 14 — a sporadic relationship that continued until he was 15. And several “House of Cards” crew members have accused Spacey of misconduct, alleging that the actor’s inappropriate advances and contact created a “toxic” work environment.
Spacey’s lawyer told New York Magazine that the star “absolutely denies the allegations.”
“House of Cards” had already begun production on Season 6, which was to debut in 2018. Season 5 was released in May and earned Spacey his fifth consecutive Emmy nomination for playing diabolical politician Frank Underwood.
TheWrap reported on Monday that Netflix is weighing several options for a potential “House of Cards” spinoff.
Wright plays Claire Underwood, the wife of President Frank Underwood (Spacey) on the Netflix show, while also serving as a producer and occasional director. Last year, she made headlines when she demanded to be paid the same as her male co-star and threatened “to go public” if Netflix didn’t cough up the dough.
In May, she said she still isn’t get paid the same.
Many praised Chastain’s tweet, asking for Netflix to make it happen. Even David Alan Grier weighed in, saying “Good idea.”