French actor Gerard Depardieu has been charged with rape and sexual assault, according to a report by the AFP news agency, which quoted a judicial source.
The accusation comes from an unnamed actress in her twenties. The incident reportedly took place in 2018 at Depardieu’s Paris home, where she claims there were two attacks during rehearsal sessions.
An investigation, which was initially halted in 2019 for lack of evidence, was reopened in October and has now led to criminal charges.
Depardieu told AFP through his lawyer that he “rejects the charges completely”.
An acclaimed actor who has been nominated for an Oscar and has won multiple Cesars, Depardieu has sparked controversy over the years, including an incident in 2011 when he urinated on a flight, and in 2012 when he was charged with assault of a motorist.
Deadline has contacted the actor’s representatives for comment.