Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is once again under legal scrutiny as he prepares to face three new civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault in London’s High Court. The claims, brought by three men and spanning alleged incidents between 2000 and 2013, threaten to prolong the legal saga that has shadowed Spacey’s once-illustrious career. According to BBC News and Sky News, a preliminary hearing on November 26, 2025, set a provisional trial date for October 12, 2026, though it remains undecided whether the cases will be tried together or separately.
The accusations cover a period that includes Spacey’s tenure as artistic director at London’s Old Vic theatre, from 2004 to 2013—a role that, for years, placed him at the heart of the British theater scene. The three claimants allege a range of misconduct. One man, who has been granted anonymity by the court, claims he was “deliberately assaulted” by Spacey approximately 12 times between 2000 and 2005. This individual previously filed a civil case against Spacey in 2022, but proceedings were paused to allow for Spacey’s criminal trial, in which he was acquitted of nine charges in July 2023.
Another claimant, who also remains anonymous, alleges he met Spacey through a workshop at the Old Vic and suffered psychiatric damage and financial loss as a result of an alleged assault in August 2008. The third claimant, Ruari Cannon, has waived his right to anonymity and has spoken publicly about his allegations. Cannon, who appeared in the 2024 Channel 4 documentary Spacey Unmasked, alleges that Spacey groped him at a party following the press night of a West End production in 2013. Cannon, who was starring in the play Sweet Bird of Youth at the time, described the alleged encounter in the documentary, saying Spacey acted “like a shark” before seamlessly transitioning into “press mode” for the cameras.
Spacey has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. He has formally denied two of the three new civil claims in court, with a defense for the third yet to be filed. Following the release of Spacey Unmasked, Spacey responded publicly, stating, “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.” He has also rejected Cannon’s accusation outright, calling it “ridiculous” and insisting, “it never happened.” While Spacey has acknowledged in the past that he could be “too handsy,” he maintains he has never groped anyone.
The legal developments come at a turbulent time for Spacey, both professionally and personally. The actor, now 66, recently revealed in an interview with The Telegraph that he is “living in hotels” and “in Airbnbs,” saying, “I have no home.” He added, “I’ve had very little coming in and everything going out … I’m going where the work is.” These comments underscore the profound impact that years of legal battles and public allegations have had on his life and career.
Spacey’s legal troubles began in 2017, at the height of the #MeToo movement, when a wave of allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him. These accusations led to his removal from major projects, including the Netflix series House of Cards, and effectively derailed his Hollywood career. Despite his acquittal in a high-profile 2023 criminal trial in London, where a jury cleared him of nine sexual offense charges, the new civil claims ensure that his legal woes are far from over.
Two of the men bringing the current civil suits were involved in the 2023 criminal case. The man who alleges multiple assaults between 2000 and 2005 had his original 2022 civil suit paused while the criminal proceedings were underway. The other claimant, who alleges psychiatric and financial harm from an alleged 2008 incident, also sought legal recourse previously, only to have his case delayed by the criminal trial’s outcome.
Ruari Cannon’s decision to waive anonymity has brought additional public attention to the case. In the Channel 4 documentary, Cannon detailed his alleged encounter with Spacey, which he claims occurred at a party following the opening night of Sweet Bird of Youth. Cannon’s willingness to speak openly stands in contrast to the other two claimants, whose identities are protected by the court.
Spacey’s legal entanglements are not confined to the UK. In 2022, actor Anthony Rapp filed a civil lawsuit against Spacey in New York, alleging sexual assault. The jury found Spacey not liable, marking another instance in which the actor has successfully defended himself in court. Yet, the ongoing allegations and legal actions have left an indelible mark on his reputation and career prospects.
The upcoming London trial, provisionally allocated a three-week window, is expected to draw significant media attention. The court has yet to decide whether the three claims will be heard together or in consecutive trials, a decision that could shape the proceedings’ tone and duration. Representatives for Spacey have not issued new comments regarding the latest developments, and the actor himself has maintained a relatively low public profile outside of his statements following the documentary’s release.
The Old Vic, where many of the alleged incidents are said to have occurred, has also been in the spotlight since the initial allegations surfaced. Spacey served as artistic director there for nearly a decade, and the theater has since conducted its own investigation into his conduct during that time. The institution has taken steps to improve safeguarding and reporting procedures, reflecting broader changes in the industry following the #MeToo movement.
For Spacey, the legal battles represent both a fight for his reputation and a struggle to regain his footing in an industry that has largely turned its back on him. His recent remarks about his financial situation and lack of a permanent home paint a picture of a man whose personal and professional lives have been deeply affected by years of controversy.
As the October 2026 trial date approaches, all eyes will be on London’s High Court to see how the latest chapter in Kevin Spacey’s ongoing legal saga unfolds. The proceedings will not only determine the outcome for the actor and his accusers but will also serve as a barometer for how the entertainment industry and the legal system continue to grapple with allegations of misconduct in the post-#MeToo era.
The story of Kevin Spacey’s legal challenges is far from over, with new claims ensuring that the actor’s future—both in and out of the spotlight—remains uncertain.