Netflix released all 13 episodes of House of Cards on February 1, 2013. That single decision did as much for television as anything on screen. Beau Willimon created the series, adapting Michael Dobbs’ 1989 novel and the 1990 British television series by Andrew Davies. It was the first TV series produced by a studio for Netflix, and one of the first released in a binge format, every episode available at once.
Trailer, via Netflix.
Frank Underwood and the Binge Format
The story belongs to Frank Underwood, a South Carolina Democrat and House Majority Whip. President Garrett Walker reneges on a promise to make him Secretary of State, so Frank builds a plan for power with his wife Claire and chief of staff Doug Stamper. Kevin Spacey plays Frank. Robin Wright plays Claire.
The methods are blackmail, seduction and ambition. Frank starts a sexual relationship with reporter Zoe Barnes, played by Kate Mara, feeding her stories while she feeds him headlines.
A Cast Built From First Choices
Director David Fincher said every main cast member was his first choice. Spacey supported releasing every episode at once, and the show proved him right.
| Role | Actor | Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Underwood | Kevin Spacey | House Majority Whip, Vice President, 46th President, First Gentleman |
| Claire Underwood | Robin Wright | Clean Water Initiative, Second Lady, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, First Lady, acting President, Vice President, 47th President |
| Doug Stamper | Michael Kelly | Chief of Staff |
| Zoe Barnes | Kate Mara | Reporter |
Ruthless Pragmatism, and the Emmy Record
The show’s themes are manipulation, betrayal and power, played without sentiment. Frank kills Peter Russo, a Pennsylvania congressman, and stages the death as a suicide. He maneuvers into the vice presidency.
The series received 33 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Lead Actor for Spacey and Lead Actress for Wright. It was the first original online-only streaming series to receive major Emmy nominations. It also drew eight Golden Globe nominations, with Wright winning Best Actress.
Where the Show Stands
House of Cards changed how viewers watch. Six seasons and 73 episodes ran from 2013 to 2018. The first season remains the sharpest, and Wright’s Claire is the strongest performance. The binge release is now ordinary. In 2013 it was not.
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