House of Cards

2013 • TMDB 8.0 • 6 seasons • Drama

Overview

House of Cards turned Washington into a chessboard and made the audience complicit in every move. When Congressman Frank Underwood is passed over for Secretary of State, he launches a cold, calculated campaign of manipulation, blackmail, and betrayal to climb to the very top — and he tells you exactly how he’s doing it, turning to the camera with a smile that makes you feel like an accomplice. Beside him stands Claire, every bit as ambitious and twice as composed, and together they form one of television’s most chilling partnerships. As Netflix’s first great original drama, the series changed how the world watches TV, dropping entire seasons at once and proving that streaming could produce prestige television. The early seasons are a masterclass in political tension, with schemes unfolding like clockwork and dialogue sharp enough to cut. Even as the later seasons divide opinion, the show’s central thrill never fades: watching two people who want power more than anything discover what it costs them.

Creator and Main Cast

House of Cards was created by Beau Willimon for Netflix. The cast includes Robin Wright as Claire Underwood (73 episodes), Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper (73 episodes), Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood (65 episodes), Jayne Atkinson as Catherine Durant (59 episodes), Derek Cecil as Seth Grayson (53 episodes), Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton (45 episodes), Boris McGiver as Tom Hammerschmidt (42 episodes), Nathan Darrow as Edward Meechum (39 episodes), and Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes (39 episodes).

Seasons Snapshot

House of Cards ran for 6 seasons and 73 episodes: Season 1 (13 episodes) premiered on February 1, 2013, followed by Season 2 (13 episodes) in 2014, Season 3 (13 episodes) in 2015, Season 4 (13 episodes) in 2016, Season 5 (13 episodes) in 2017, and Season 6 (8 episodes) in 2018, concluding with “Chapter 73” on November 2, 2018.

Why Watch House of Cards?

House of Cards is the ultimate binge for anyone who loves a brilliant schemer. Frank Underwood’s direct addresses to the camera are still electrifying, turning every episode into a conspiracy you get to share, and the show’s Washington feels both glamorous and rotten in exactly the right proportions. It also matters historically: this is the series that proved streaming television could be prestige television. If you like your drama ruthless, witty, and dangerously addictive, pull up a chair — Frank has something to tell you.

Trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube: House of Cards Season 1 – Official Trailer – Netflix

Where to Watch

In the US, House of Cards streams on Netflix. Availability was checked against JustWatch US listings on October 29, 2026, and may change over time.