French actor Gérard Depardieu to face criminal trial over sexual assault claims

Prosecutors announced Monday that French actor Gérard Depardieu will be tried in October for the alleged 2021 sexual assault of two women that reportedly took place on a film set, according to the Associated Press.

CNN reported earlier on Monday that the actor had been detained for questioning in Paris in connection to the claims.

Known for his roles in films such as "Life of Pi," "Green Card" and "The Man in the Iron Mask," Depardieu has previously faced investigations for alleged sexual assault, which he has been accused of by more than a dozen women. He and his attorneys have long denied wrongdoing, however. "Never, ever have I abused a woman," he wrote in an open letter published last year, per the BBC.

As noted by USA Today, the actor's fraught standing has created sharp divisions in France over the country's handling of sexual misconduct cases. Though Depardieu has weathered criticism, he has still maintained key allies, such as French President Emmanuel Macron. "He's an immense actor, a genius of his art," Macron said last year, per USA Today. "He makes France proud."