A new documentary carrying allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is set to premiere in the UK from Monday.

The two-part documentary Spacey Unmasked, set to be aired on Channel 4, will feature multiple men, including World War Z star Ruari Cannon, who have accused Mr Spacey.

The House of Cards stars has dismissed the documentary saying that he was not given enough time to “respond to allegations made against me dating back 48 years”.

Mr Cannon’s allegations were from a night in June 2013 at The London’s Savoy hotel where the two were attending a press night party before the launch of the production of Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth, according to UK newspaper inews.

The new production at The Old Vic theatre in London was the first time the two actors had met. Mr Ruari was 21, and Mr Spacey was 53.

In an interview with inews, Mr Cannon first made the allegations — although not publicly — in conversation with its correspondent Patrick Strudwick and mulled over going public with the claims.

Four years later, in 2021, the actor decided to make the allegations public for “people to be able to see him, hear him — finally”.

Inews described Mr Cannon as a “promising young actor” who had secured a role in the production of Sweet Bird of Youth at The Old Vic in 2013.

Mr Spacey was the production’s artistic director.

Mr Cannon claimed he attended the press night at The Savoy, where he walked up to Mr Spacey, who “pulled me in very close with his right hand and sort of turned me 45 degrees”.

He then accused Mr Spacey of touching him indecently. He was then invited by Mr Spacey to an after-party in his suite upstairs at his suite in the hotel.

During the party, Mr Cannon alleged that he was groped by Mr Spacey.

He also accused the theatre management of breaching confidentiality when he contacted them via email about his concerns. The Old Vic management have refuted the accusations.

About the documentary, Mr Cannon said he hoped “that this film can help other people feel less afraid, less fearful”. Inews claimed that it provided Mr Spacey with a detailed list of allegations seven days before the story’s publication.

The actor didn’t respond but posted a statement on X on Thursday saying “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”.

Mr Spacey said he would be making further responses about the docuseries over the weekend.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2024