The Unfinished Saga: What You Need To Know About Kevin Spacey's Legal Battles And New Allegations

The legal saga surrounding Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is far from over, with new civil lawsuits filed in London ensuring the spotlight remains on his past actions and their profound career consequences. As of December 18, 2025, while the actor has secured significant victories in the criminal and civil courts—being acquitted of all criminal charges in the UK in 2023 and found not liable in a major US civil case—the latest developments point toward a new London trial scheduled for late 2026. This ongoing scrutiny, which began in late 2017, has irrevocably altered his standing in Hollywood, costing him millions and effectively pausing a celebrated career. The complexity of the allegations and the differing outcomes in various jurisdictions—from a New York courtroom to London’s Southwark Crown Court—make a clear understanding of the situation essential. The narrative is a patchwork of criminal acquittals, civil verdicts of "not liable," and a massive financial ruling for breach of contract, all set against a backdrop of multiple historical claims of sexual misconduct.

Kevin Spacey: A Brief Biographical Profile

The actor at the center of this controversy, Kevin Spacey Fowler, was one of the most decorated and respected performers of his generation before the allegations surfaced. His career spanned theater, film, and television, marked by a dynamic range and critical acclaim.

• Full Name: Kevin Spacey Fowler
• Born: July 26, 1959 (Age 66 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: South Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
• Key Career Highlights: Two-time Academy Award winner (Best Supporting Actor for The Usual Suspects (1995) and Best Actor for American Beauty (1999)).
• Major Roles: Lester Burnham (*American Beauty*), Verbal Kint (*The Usual Suspects*), John Doe (*Se7en*), and Frank Underwood (*House of Cards*).
• Theater Leadership: Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre in London from 2004 to 2015.

Spacey's tenure at the prestigious Old Vic Theatre in London later became a focal point of the allegations, with the theatre commissioning an independent investigation that found 20 allegations of inappropriate behavior against him spanning his 11 years as artistic director.

The Legal Battles: Acquittals, Verdicts, and Financial Penalties

The legal challenges Spacey has faced can be broken down into three major categories: the U.S. civil suit, the U.K. criminal trial, and the contract dispute with the producers of *House of Cards*. Understanding the distinct nature and outcomes of each case is key to grasping the full scope of his legal situation.

The Anthony Rapp Civil Lawsuit (New York, 2022)

The initial public allegations that ignited the controversy came from actor Anthony Rapp in 2017. Rapp alleged that Spacey made a sexual advance toward him in 1986 when Rapp was 14 years old. Rapp subsequently filed a $40 million civil lawsuit in New York. The case went to trial in October 2022. After hearing testimony from both Rapp and Spacey, a jury in New York City returned a verdict in favor of Spacey. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding that Rapp had failed to prove the actor had committed battery. This verdict found Spacey not liable for the claims, marking his first major legal victory.

The UK Criminal Trial (London, 2023)

Perhaps the most high-stakes legal challenge for Spacey was the criminal trial in the United Kingdom. This case involved nine charges of sexual offenses—including sexual assault and indecent assault—against four different men between 2001 and 2013, a period when Spacey was largely based in London for his work with the Old Vic. The trial took place at Southwark Crown Court in July 2023. Spacey pleaded not guilty to all charges. After a four-week trial, the jury deliberated for 12 hours. The verdict was a sweeping victory for the actor, as he was found not guilty on all nine charges. Spacey’s defense team successfully argued that the encounters were consensual, with his lawyer stating that it was "not a crime to like sex, even if you’re famous... and it’s not a crime to have casual sex."

The $31 Million *House of Cards* Arbitration

While the criminal and civil cases focused on personal conduct, a separate, equally damaging legal battle centered on his professional life. Media Rights Capital (MRC), the production company behind the Netflix hit *House of Cards*, sought damages after firing Spacey from his role as Frank Underwood following the initial allegations. The dispute was settled via private arbitration. In a ruling confirmed by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, an arbitrator determined that Spacey had breached his contract’s sexual harassment policy. The ruling found that his conduct rendered him in breach of contract, forcing the production company to rewrite the final season of the show at immense cost. As a result, Spacey and his production companies were ordered to pay a staggering $31 million to MRC for damages and lost revenue. Spacey lost his appeal to overturn this significant financial penalty.

The New Legal Horizon: Three Civil Lawsuits in London (2026)

Despite the high-profile acquittals, the legal challenges have not ended. The most recent and relevant update is the emergence of three new civil lawsuits filed against Kevin Spacey in London. These new claims, which are separate from the criminal charges he was acquitted of in 2023, allege sexual assault and are being brought by three different men. Civil cases—unlike criminal cases—require a lower burden of proof, meaning the outcomes of his previous trials do not guarantee a similar result. The focus in a civil lawsuit is on liability and monetary damages, not criminal punishment. The latest court scheduling indicates that these new sexual misconduct allegations are expected to go to trial in London in October 2026. This upcoming trial underscores the continued legal and public scrutiny Spacey faces as he attempts to revive his career. The London Metropolitan Police were involved in the initial criminal investigations, but these new claims fall under the civil jurisdiction, focusing on compensation for the alleged victims.

The Broader Fallout and Career Status

The fallout from the allegations has been comprehensive, touching every aspect of Spacey’s professional life. The immediate consequence was his immediate removal from *House of Cards* and his scenes being cut and reshot from the film *All the Money in the World*, where he was replaced by actor Christopher Plummer. His career, which was at its zenith, effectively ground to a halt. The financial impact of the $31 million MRC ruling is a clear measure of the professional cost of the scandal. Following his acquittal in the UK, Spacey has begun a tentative return to acting. He has appeared in a few smaller, independent European film projects, such as the Italian film *L'uomo Che Disegnò Dio* (The Man Who Drew God). However, a return to major Hollywood productions or A-list television remains highly uncertain. The October 2026 trial date ensures that the specter of his legal troubles will continue to loom over any potential career comeback for the foreseeable future, making any large-scale project a significant risk for studios and streaming platforms. The ongoing legal battles, the arbitrator's award to MRC, and the upcoming civil trial in London confirm that the chapter on the Kevin Spacey allegations is still being written. The legal system has delivered different results in different venues, creating a complex legacy of acquittal and liability that continues to define one of Hollywood's most dramatic downfalls.