House of Cards is an American Political drama produced by Beau Willimon. The entire first season premiered February 1st 2013 on Netflix and the second season aired February 4, 2014.
House of Cards is set in present-day Washington D.C. and is the story of Frank Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey), a democrat from South Carolina’s 5th congressional district and House majority whip leader. Underwood becomes Secretary of State and his wife Claire Underwood (played by Robin Wright) assists him in his endeavor. According to IMDb, “A congressman works with his equally conniving wife to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him. The series is primarily about ruthless pragmatism, power, doing bad things for the greater good.”
The first season House of Cards became the first original online web television series to receive major Emmy nominations. The show received nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Kevin Spacey, Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Robin Wright, and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for David Fincher. House of Cards also earned four Golden Globe Award nominations. Wright won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. The second season receieved thirteen Primetime Emmy Award Nominations.
Here I will break down the show in thirds.
Kevin Spacey as Francis J. “Frank” Underwood- main character; is an utterly ruthless and conniving politician, he manipulates everyone around him to receive influence and prestiege to climb to the top. He commonly breaks the fourth wall. Quote: “That’s how you devour a whale Doug, one bite at a time.”
“Proximity to power deludes some into believing they wield it.”
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood- Frank Underwoods wife who runs the Clear Water Initiative, an NGO, in Season 1. She is involved in her husband’s political scheming, often lying for him. “ She is just as cold and power hungry as her husband, often setting goals to work alongside helping his and letting nothing stob her.” Ulitimately, she’s a badass. Quote: “Am I really the sort of enemy you want to make?”
Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton- lobbyist and Glendon Hill lawyer who now works for a natural gas company called SanCorp
Rachel Brosnahan as Rachel Postner- a prostitute dragged into the mix by Doug Stamper
Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes- a reporter for the Washington Herald. Has an intimate relationship with Frank Underwood. They use one another to get forward in their careers. She gets information from Underwood and he uses her to leak stories to the newspapers.
Jayne Atkinson as Catherine Durant- a Senator from Missouri who becomes Secretary of State
Gerald McRaney-Raymond Tusk- a billionaire business person with a network of influences including Remy, Frank, the President.
Molly Parker as Jacqueline Sharp- a congresswoman from California & military veteran nominated by Frank Underwood to succeed him as Majority Whip
The show also has real-life media figures such as CNN’s Candy Crowley, John King, and Soledad O’Brien; Fox News’s Sean Hannity & Dennis Miller and HBO’s Bill Maher, and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews. It’s awesome when they make cameo appearances as themselves.
Frank Underwood has no limits.
