‘House of Cards’ set to end with season 6

Netflix drama “House of Cards” will end with its upcoming sixth season, Variety has learned. Production has begun on what will be the final season of the drama series, which is set to premiere in 2018.

Word of the series’ end comes in the wake of sexual-assault allegations against its star, Kevin Spacey. On Sunday in an interview with Buzzfeed, “Star Trek: Discovery” star Anthony Rapp claimed that Spacey had sexually assaulted him at a party in 1986 when he was 14. Spacey later apologized to Rapp saying he did not recall the incident.

Spacey is the star and executive producer of “House of Cards,” the drama series that put Netflix on the map as a destination for original programming. Since 2013, the series has been nominated for 53 Primetime Emmy Awards — including five nominations for outstanding drama series.

Starring alongside Robin Wright, Spacey plays Frank Underwood, a devious congressman who ascends to the role of President of the United States through a series of complex machinations.

Filming for season six began in Maryland this month. No premiere date has yet been set by Netflix. Season five premiered May 30 on the streaming service.

Unlike leaders at most media and entertainment companies, Netflix executives have been largely silent about the issue of sexual harassment since a wave of allegations engulfed frequent Netflix collaborator Harvey Weinstein earlier this month. Netflix spokespersons have declined repeated requests to comment on the Weinstein situation. During an interview pegged to the company’s quarterly earnings report this month, chief content officer Ted Sarandos dismissed the idea that Netflix might by the Weinstein Company, the embattled production company that Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob Weinstein founded.

“Our business with the Weinstein Company is pretty arm’s distance,” Sarandos said. but in reality the relationship between Netflix and Weinstein has been much closer, with multiple creative partnerships and joint appearances. Netflix and the Weinstein Company also hosted a Golden Globes party together for the last three years.