Piers Morgan promises ‘astounding’ Kevin Spacey interview amid latest sexual assault claims

The show has already sparked backlash among viewers

Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Tuesday 11 June 2024 06:51 EDT
Comments
Kevin Spacey arrives in London court to face sexual assault charges

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Kevin Spacey has been announced as a guest on Piers Morgan’s controversial Uncensored programme as he continues to battle Hollywood exile.

The actor, 64, is slated to appear on the YouTube show on Tuesday (11 June) following the Channel 4 documentary Spacey Unmasked, which aired fresh allegations about the American Beauty star last month.

In a promotional video teasing the interview, Morgan called Spacey “one of Hollywood’s biggest villains both on and off screen” and promised the actor would address the sexual assault claims against him.

Spacey was last year acquitted of a number of sexual offences alleged by four men in the UK to have taken place between 2001 and 2013.

Each of Spacey’s accusers gave evidence in the trial, describing him as a “vile sexual predator”, “slippery” and “atrocious, despicable, [and] disgusting”.

In response, the two-time Oscar winner described the allegations against him as “madness” and a “stab in the back”. The jury acquitted Spacey of all charges.

Morgan claimed Spacey would also discuss other “scandals that have engulfed him”, including his association with Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew.

News of Spacey’s appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans calling him a “phenomenal actor” while other users called the booking an “interesting” choice.

Spacey was one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood when allegations of sexual misconduct were first made in 2017, leading streaming giant Netflix to cut ties with the then-star of House of Cards.

The actor Anthony Rapp was the first to accuse the Hollywood A-lister of misconduct, telling BuzzFeed News that Spacey tried “to seduce” him when he was just 14. In 2022, a New York jury dismissed Rapp’s claims of sexual abuse.

Channel 4’s recent documentary Spacey Unmasked interviewed 10 men not involved in the 2023 criminal trial.

Kevin Spacey has been announced as a guest on Piers Morgan’s controversial interview programme Piers Morgan Uncensored
Kevin Spacey has been announced as a guest on Piers Morgan’s controversial interview programme Piers Morgan Uncensored (PA Archive)

Spacey described the claims as “anonymised and non-specific”, before writing off the programme as “a dying network’s one-sided ‘documentary’ about me in their desperate attempt for ratings”.

He added: “Each time I have been given the time and a proper forum to defend myself, the allegations have failed under scrutiny and I have been exonerated.”

Sharon Stone, Stephen Fry, and Liam Neeson all subsequently spoke out in support of Spacey’s return to Hollywood, calling him a “genius” and “fun”.

Channel 4 stood by its documentary, broadcast over two nights at the start of May, saying in a statement: “Spacey Unmasked is an important film exploring the balance of power and inappropriate behaviour in a work environment, aiming to give a voice to those who have previously been unable to speak out.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in