The production hiatus for “House of Cards” has been extended an additional two weeks “with the hope of resuming production soon,” according to a letter sent to the Netflix show’s cast and crew from its producers, Media Rights Capital.
Production on the sixth and final season of the political drama had been suspended “indefinitely” in the wake of sexual misconduct accusations involving its star, Kevin Spacey, including by crew members who alleged that the actor’s inappropriate advances and contact created a “toxic” work environment.
MRC noted that discussions about the show’s return are continuing with Netflix and that the crew will be paid for an additional two-week hiatus through December 8.
“House of Cards” writers were forced to scrap plans for the show’s sixth season that had been in place for eight months after Spacey was accused of sexual harassment by actor Anthony Rapp.
Since Rapp’s allegations, more than a dozen other men have stepped forward with accusations about the Oscar winner and, in response, Netflix cut ties with Spacey and dropped his 2018 film, “Gore.” The actor has announced Kevin he would seek “evaluation and treatment” in the wake of the accusations and the fallout on his career.
The show was already in production on the sixth season and it’s unclear whether or how showrunners Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pugliese might be able to resume without Spacey’s Frank Underwood — and whether episodes already shot with his character might have to be scrapped or retooled.
It will be up to Netflix and Media Rights Capital to decide whether to resume production.
“These last two months have tested and tried all of us in ways none of us could have foreseen,” the letter continued. “The one thing we have learned throughout this process is that this production is bigger than just one person and we could not be more proud to be associated with one of the most loyal and talented production cast and crews in this business.”
Read Media Rights Capital’s letter in full below.
Dear Cast and Crew,
As we move into the holidays, we want to express our appreciation for all of the meaningful messages of support we have received from you and want to update all of our loyal cast and crew on our progress and where things currently stand.
We continue to work with Netflix with the hope of resuming production soon. As we continue these discussions, we have determined together that the crew will be paid for an additional two week hiatus – beginning on November 27th and continuing through December 8th.
In addition to the writers, there will be a small contingency of office/accounting staff who will remain in the production office on a continuous basis. Our hope is that the entire crew will be able to reconvene when production resumes, but we want you to know that we will certainly understand if crew members need to find other work in the interim, which will prevent them from re-joining us. We sincerely appreciate all you have done.
Cast and other union members who are not actively working will be paid in accordance with applicable union guidelines through this period and we will be reaching out directly to your representatives to work through the details; we will get to everyone as quickly as possible and appreciate all of your patience here.
These last two months have tested and tried all of us in ways none of us could have foreseen. The one thing we have learned throughout this process is that this production is bigger than just one person and we could not be more proud to be associated with one of the most loyal and talented production cast and crews in this business.
We will provide an additional update by 12/8/17.
Thank you all.
Pauline Micelli