‘House of Cards’ creators announce series will end amid Kevin Spacey allegations

Netflix claims the decision has been in the pipeline for some time

House of Cards will come to an end with a sixth and final season amid allegations of Kevin Spacey’s sexual misconduct, it has been reported.

The hit political drama ended its fifth season on a cliff-hanger and fans have been eagerly waiting for the show's next instalment.

Netflix has claimed the decision had been in the pipeline for some time and was actually made months ago - bosses are now said to be developing three spinoff ideas.

The timing of the announcement however comes less than 24 hours after actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey, the lead actor in House of Cards, of making an unwanted sexual advances when he was 14-years-old.

In a response to the allegations, Netflix and Media Rights Capital released a joint statement: “Media Rights Capital and Netflix are deeply troubled by last night’s news concerning Kevin Spacey.

"In response to last night’s revelations, executives from both of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time.”

Spacey also released a statement in response to the allegations saying he was “beyond horrified” by the story.

“I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years,” Spacey said.

Spacey then went on to confirm one of Hollywood's worst kept secrets, that he is, in fact, gay.

"This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life." he continued.

"I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.

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Writers, actors and other high profile figures in Hollywood have been critical of the statement and how Spacey appeared to try and deflect the incident by coming out as gay for the first time.

Comedian Cameron Esposito tweeted: "Just wanna be really f*****g clear that being gay has nothing to do w/ going after underage folks."

Actress Rose McGowan, who claims she was raped by Harvey Weinstein, wrote: "Bye bye, Spacey goodbye, it's your turn to cry, that's why we've gotta say goodbye." (Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.)