Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has denied fresh allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior, which are set to be aired in a new documentary.
In a recent interview with journalist Dan Wootton, which aired on Friday, May 3, 2024, Spacey asserted that he had never engaged in illegal activities, emphasizing that he would not stay silent on the allegations featured in the documentary “Spacey Unmasked.”
Scheduled for broadcast on May 6 and 7 on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, and streaming on Max in the United States, the documentary will feature testimony from men about events occurring between 1976 and 2013. It includes claims of unwanted sexual behavior by the actor. Despite Spacey’s requests for more time to respond, Channel 4 granted him just seven days to address the allegations.
Spacey, 64, who was cleared of nine sexual assault charges by a London jury last July, emphasized in the interview that he has “never promised career assistance in exchange for sexual favors.”
The allegations, stemming from his time as the artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015, involved accusations from four men dating back over two decades. Spacey also won a lawsuit in New York in 2022 after being accused of sexual misconduct by actor Anthony Rapp.
The allegations against Spacey led to the loss of his leading role in the Netflix series “House of Cards.” He mentioned how difficult it has been to return to work following the criminal proceedings, describing the ordeal as a “life sentence.”
In the interview with Wootton, Spacey admitted to being a “flirt” with men in their 20s, sometimes making “clumsy” passes, but firmly denied engaging in illegal conduct. He said that some men believed they could advance their careers by having a relationship with him, but he was unaware of such intentions.
Despite facing backlash from Spacey, Channel 4 is pressing ahead with the documentary’s release, featuring testimony from ten men who accuse him of unwanted sexual behavior. The series will reportedly delve into Spacey’s rise to stardom, and his subsequent fall amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Producer Dorothy Byrne, in a statement about the documentary, said she hoped it would create a “#MeToo moment for men.” Spacey has publicly refuted the latest accusations, stating that he won’t apologize for fabricated stories about him and calling for the public to await his full response following the documentary’s release.
The new documentary and the fresh allegations it contains represent the latest chapter in a series of accusations that have affected Spacey’s career since 2017. The allegations have led to several legal battles, and in 2022, he was ordered to pay $31 million to the producers of “House of Cards” for breaching contract terms due to misconduct.
