US actor Kevin Spacey appeared in a London court for the start of a highly anticipated trial in which he is accused of 12 sexual assaults on several men between 2001 and 2013, charges he strenuously denies. Spacey, 63, a two-time Oscar winner, arrived at Southwark Crown Court dressed in a dark suit and greeted reporters there. The trial is scheduled to last four weeks, with Wednesday’s first hearing focusing on procedural issues.
The allegations against Spacey are in addition to previous charges brought in May 2022 by British prosecutors, who charged him with five sexual assaults on three men between 2005 and 2013, when he was director of the Old Vic theater in London. None of the alleged victims can be identified due to English law.
Spacey’s lawyer, Patrick Gibbs, stated that his client strongly denies the charges and looks forward to defending his innocence. Despite the allegations, Spacey has been at liberty without precautionary measures due to his cooperation with British judicial authorities.
Spacey was one of the prominent figures affected by the #MeToo movement, which emerged in 2017 in the wake of the case of film producer Harvey Weinstein. At the time, he was accused of sexual assault by several young men in the United States, which had a significant impact on his career. In addition to facing professional consequences, such as being fired from the series “House of Cards” and replaced in a movie, he also publicly revealed his homosexuality.
Although some charges against him have been dropped or dismissed in previous cases, Spacey still faces legal proceedings in the UK. The outcome of the trial will determine the legal and professional implications for the actor.