Kevin Spacey Is Plotting His Hollywood Return (Whether You Like It or Not)

The House of Cards star, whose career collapsed in 2017 following multiple sexual misconduct allegations, is back on the public stage and openly talking about his return to work. While Spacey was acquitted of criminal charges in the U.S. and the U.K., additional allegations have continued to emerge, including a new lawsuit filed in the U.K.

Speaking at the Italian Global Series Festival, Spacey described the past several years as a time to "stop, assess, reassess and listen." Now, he says, he's "incredibly excited about going back to work in a substantial way." But he made it clear he's not looking to reconnect with people in the industry who cut ties with him.

"For those who rushed to judgment and decided I was guilty, and treated me accordingly, they have my forgiveness, but I am not seeking them out to collaborate," he said.

Instead, Spacey says he's grateful for the few people in the industry who "stood by" him and waited for the legal process to play out.

"Those people have my trust, and I will do everything I can to maintain their trust for the rest of my life."

This year, Spacey appeared at Cannes — not as part of the main festival, but to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Better World Fund, a side organization unaffiliated with the official event. In his speech, he addressed his legal history head-on:

"Who would have ever thought that honoring someone who has been exonerated in every courtroom he's ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea."

Despite his public efforts, Spacey hasn't appeared in a Hollywood production since 2017. His recent work has come through smaller, independent studios willing to take the risk — though none of those roles have brought him back into the mainstream.

Whether the industry will actually welcome him back remains unclear. Acquittal aside, Spacey's name still carries heavy baggage. Any major production that hires him is likely to face backlash — not just from the public, but from collaborators who may not want to be associated with the controversy.

For now, Spacey seems determined to keep working — even if it's on the margins. Whether the rest of the industry follows remains to be seen.