Kevin Spacey Settles $1 Million Lawsuit with “House of Cards” Producers

Kevin Spacey has reached a settlement to pay $1 million, concluding a lawsuit initiated by MRC, the producers of “House of Cards.” Spacey, who portrayed Frank Underwood for five seasons on the acclaimed Netflix series, was excluded from its final season in 2017 amidst allegations of sexual harassment towards young male staff members.

The civil lawsuit by MRC aimed to recover costs incurred from modifying the show’s final season in Spacey’s absence. Originally seeking $31 million in damages, the settlement terms include Spacey’s agreement to make payments over several years, amounting to 10% of his post-tax income annually, along with providing his medical records.

MRC is also pursuing additional losses through litigation against its insurers. Spacey has consented to assist MRC in these efforts.

In April 2022, MRC filed a lawsuit against Fireman’s Fund and Lloyd’s of London, asserting that Spacey’s departure fell under their cast insurance policies. These policies mitigate financial losses if an actor cannot perform due to illness. MRC contends that Spacey’s admission into the Meadows for sex addiction treatment should activate this coverage. However, Judge Mark Epstein has dismissed MRC’s claims against the insurers, stating that the contracts do not apply to these circumstances.

Regarding Spacey’s current activities, following his acquittal from sexual assault charges in the UK in July 2023, he is endeavouring to rebuild his career. Now 63, Spacey is set to star in “Peter Five Eight,” a thriller in which he plays a morally compromised assassin returning to a leading role after his professional setbacks

. Additionally, Spacey received a standing ovation in October 2023 during a surprise appearance at a University of Oxford lecture, where he performed a scene from Shakespeare’s “Timon of Athens.”