10 Greatest Original TV Heroes Of The Last Decade
9. Frank Underwood: House Of Cards (2013-2018)
When, at the time, relatively un-lauded steaming platform Netflix, decided to do an American remake of the totally forgotten English 90s political drama, “House of Cards,” few could have predicted that within the space of a few years it would become one of the most popular and binge worthy shows on TV, elevating the inevitable rise of streaming platforms as the new viewing medium and thus becoming a cultural landmark in TV history.
But I bet no one would have guessed that by the end of 2018 the now disgraced lead actor would be putting out a cryptic and deeply unsettling You Tube video concerning his fall from grace, in the guise of the “House of Cards” lead protagonist in one of the strangest blendings of reality and fiction you’ll see outside of a Shia Labeouf Christmas party.
But such was the incredible journey for Frank Underwood in House of Cards- and that arc which began on TV and seemed to end up in real life, merits him a place on this list.
In fact, if you think about the direction American politics has taken over the past few years, it feels as though all kinds of storylines and motifs from the show are crawling out of the set and into our world like the little girl from the ring. Creepy.
“House of Cards” charts the rise to power of congressman Frank Underwood (yep, more rising to power), a driven, amoral manipulator who rises to the highest office in the land through nefarious means. In perhaps the show’s most unique and defining element, Frank talks directly to the audience in Shakespearean soliloquies, allowing us a sporadic and uncharacteristically honest insight into the character’s mindset as events unfold around him.
These asides work as a brilliant mirror to reflect the duplicitous nature of the Underwood character, whilst reigning in their use in the show still allowed the writers to weave subtext and intrigue throughout the dialogue.
Though critical praise and viewing interest slowly declined from the third season onwards, it is impossible to argue the impact the show had upon its release and the good will it carried amongst the streaming generation for a good number of years. A large part of that is down to Frank. He may be gone, but we have not forgotten him.