House of Cards

Betrayed by the White House, Congressman Frank Underwood embarks on a ruthless rise to power. Blackmail, seduction and ambition are his weapons.

House of Cards (2013-2018) is a US political drama series created by Beau Willimon for Netflix. Kevin Spacey plays Congressman Frank Underwood, a Democratic politician who is betrayed by the White House and sets out on a ruthless climb toward the presidency, using blackmail, seduction and calculated manipulation as his tools. Robin Wright plays Claire Underwood, his ambitious wife and strategic partner, while Michael Kelly plays Doug Stamper, his loyal and unsettling chief of staff. Journalist Zoe Barnes, played by Kate Mara, becomes a key pawn in his schemes. The engine of the show is the steady escalation of each scheme, with every episode built around a new move in a long game of leverage and reprisal. Across six seasons of thirteen episodes each, with a shorter final run, the story stays one continuous serialized arc rather than a case of the week. Set in contemporary Washington, D.C., the series is a Netflix original that foregrounds cynicism, corruption and power politics. Its tone is cold, sardonic and tense, and Spacey's direct address to the camera gives viewers an intimate window into his scheming mind. Fans of Veep, The West Wing and Succession will find resonance in its sharp political satire and morally compromised characters.

Acclaimed for Kevin Spacey's magnetic lead performance and its sharp portrait of political ambition, though later seasons drew criticism for stretched storytelling and a weaker finale.

• Veeppolitical drama, power struggle, cynical tone, direct address to camera
• The West Wingruthless ambition, Washington power politics, manipulation as plot engine
• Successionambitious antihero scheming for power, serialized political corruption

Created by

Beau Willimon

Release Date

2013-02-01

Episode runtime

52 min

Rating

8.6 / 10 (3342)

What is House of Cards about?

A ruthless congressman betrayed by the White House schemes his way up the ladder of national power using blackmail, seduction and ambition.

What is House of Cards like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of House of Cards as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.

Is House of Cards violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in House of Cards as moderate.

What did critics think of House of Cards?

Acclaimed for Kevin Spacey's magnetic lead performance and its sharp portrait of political ambition, though later seasons drew criticism for stretched storytelling and a weaker finale.

Which shows are like House of Cards?

Shows with a similar feel include Veep, The West Wing, and Succession.

How long is House of Cards?

House of Cards: 6 seasons, 73 episodes.

Is House of Cards still running?

No, House of Cards has ended.

Where can I watch House of Cards?

In United States, House of Cards streams on Netflix.