Kevin Spacey “to play sex abuse investigator” in first role since abuse allegations

Kevin Spacey is set to make a return to the acting world in a new role as a detective investigating a false claim of paedophilia in an Italian drama.

The American actor, who has been accused of sexual misconductby several people in recent years, is set to feature in the new drama The Man Who Drew God, it has been reported. The Oscar winner will appear alongside Vanessa Redgrave in the film. 79-year-old Italian actor Franco Nero, Redgrave's husband, will star as a blind artist who is mistakenly suspected of sexual abuse. He will also direct the new film. Speaking to ABC News, Nero said: "I'm very happy Kevin agreed to participate in my film. I consider him a great actor and I can't wait to start the movie." The new film will mark Spacey’s first role in around four years, after the actor stopped starring in Netflix's House of Cards following sexual misconduct allegations. Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct by 20 men at the Old Vic Theatre in London between 1995 and 2013. Another allegation was against Spacey, which involved the American actor Anthony Rapp, who alleged that Spacey sexually assaulted him when he was a teenager. Spacey has strongly denied all claims of sexual misconduct made against him, and he has not been charged for any of the allegations. Last year, the actor said that he had a period of self-reflection when his acting career was uncertain following the allegations. He said: "When my career came to a grinding, screeching halt and I was faced with the uncertainty I might never be hired as an actor again, I had to ask myself, ‘If I can’t act, who am I? I only valued and defined myself through work, that’s who I was. If that wasn’t going to be a possibility anymore, then who am I? If all I’m left with is just me?'" The filming for the new drama will start filming later this year.