Eight people who claim to have worked on Netflix drama House of Cards have come forward in light of allegations made against the show’s star Kevin Spacey, describing his behaviour as “predatory”.
Mr Spacey has yet to comment on the new allegations. On Friday his PR manager advised SBS that all inquiries were to go through his lawyer.
Mr Spacey has not been charged over any of the allegations made against him.
The staffers - who say they either currently work on the show or have worked on House of Cards in the past - the workplace environment became "toxic" due to alleged harassment on set.
CNN claims to have spoken to each of the workers, who reportedly said Spacey’s inappropriate behaviour included “nonconsensual touching and crude comments and targeted production staffers who were typically young and male”.
One former production assistant reportedly said that Spacey allegedly sexually assaulted him during one of the show’s earlier seasons.
He alleged that while Spacey was driving, the actor touched the assistant in a non-consensual way.
"I was in a state of shock," he said.
"He was a man in a very powerful position on the show and I was someone very low on the totem pole and on the food chain there."
CNN says they have spoken with a co-worker the assistant told about the incident at the time, who supported the story.
It is alleged the assault happened months after a complaint was made by the production assistant to a supervisor that Mr Spacey had been sexually harassing him.
"It was a toxic environment for young men who had to interact with him at all in the crew, cast, background actors,” the assistant claimed.
CNN reports the other people they interviewed who had worked on House of Cards supported this claim.
Another crew member who worked on all six seasons of House of Cards claimed Mr Spacey “routinely harassed and touched him”.
"That's the worst part about this whole thing. I would love to be able to speak out about this kind of stuff and not fear,” he said.
Mr Spacey has not commented on the allegations made to CNN. SBS News has requested a response from Mr Spacey.
His spokeswoman said on Friday that the actor is seeking "evaluation and treatment". No details on the type of treatment were provided.
What sparked others to come forward?
Earlier this week Mr Spacey issued an apology after actor Anthony Rapp claimed he had made sexual advances towards him in 1985. Rapp was 14 at the time.
Spacey said he did not recall the encounter "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."
Following the allegation made by Mr Rapp, Netflix announced it had suspended production of the final season of House of Cards.
Anthony Rapp is a cast member in Star Trek: Discovery. Source: AAP
Netflix and producer Media Rights Capital said in a joint statement it had "decided to suspend production on House of Cards season six, until further notice".
"[It will] give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew."
Mr Spacey is an executive producer on the show and also plays the leading role of Francis Underwood.
His co-star Robin Wright is yet to comment publicly on the matter.
The Old Vic accused of 'pleading ignorance'
Following Rapp’s allegation, workers at The Old Vic theatre in London where Spacey worked as an artistic director from 2003 to 2015, told The Guardian that the theatre ignored complaints of groping and inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos then accused Mr Spacey of sexual harassment, saying he fended off two "unpleasant" advances that "bordered on harassment" while at The Old Vic.
Film-maker Tony Montana also alleged Mr Spacey grabbed his crotch in a Los Angeles bar in 2003.
Rebecca Gooden, an intern at the theatre in 2010, said there were regular stories about Mr Spacey’s behaviour.
"I was informed that I was not allowed to talk about it outside the theatre. I am honestly sickened that the theatre has chosen to plead ignorance," she told The Guardian.
Kevin Spacey in a scene from House Of Cards. Source: AAP
The Old Vic said it was "not currently in a position to comment on specifics of what may have taken place in the past".
where "anyone who has concerns about the inappropriate behaviour of Spacey at the venue could come forward.
Mr Spacey has not commented to The Guardian or CNN about the allegations.
- With AFP
