2. The Cast And Characters
House of Cards features an ensemble cast, with around twenty actors playing regular and recurring roles with differing levels of importance in the grand scheme of things. At its core, however, are four main players, each of whom are very well cast. Kevin Spacey excels in the role of Frank Underwood, the House Majority Whip (a fancy term for the leader of a partys representatives in Congress, the American equivalent of Parliament) who becomes scorned when a promised promotion to Secretary of State is denied to him by the new President, despite his considerable efforts to get the man elected. Not one to be walked over, Frank, a cunning and snakelike individual, seeks to undermine the new administration and engineer a better future for himself in the process, whatever the cost. Not out to make friends, he manipulates everybody around him to his own advantage, uncaring about how his actions might negatively affect their lives. Convincing as such an amoral puppet master (albeit not a perfect one), effortlessly able to switch from charming to ruthless and dastardly, Spacey will be one to watch in the run up to the Emmy Awards. At Franks side is his wife, Claire, played by Robin Wright, who runs a charity organisation. Capable of matching her husband in terms of ruthlessness and scheming, she and Frank initially complement each other perfectly, though all is not what it seems. Wrights chemistry with Spacey elevates their scenes together, and she may be another name that appears on the Emmy shortlist come summer. Kate Mara injects some youth into proceedings with her portrayal of ambitious young journalist Zoe Barnes. Seemingly unable to make a name for herself on drive and merit alone, she becomes involved with Frank in more ways than one. Initially coming across as somewhat naïve, she undergoes significant development as a character as her awareness about proceedings increases in tandem with her experience and maturity. The standout of the bunch, however, is Corey Stoll as Peter Russo, a self-destructive Congressman from Pennsylvania with a history of alcohol and substance abuse, as well as the prostitute usage. His problems lead to his blackmail and inclusion in Franks scheming, where he has a shot at redeeming himself in the eyes of his voters, young children, supportive girlfriend Christina (played by Cabin In The Woods star Kristen Connolly) and viewers, to whom he is initially presented as both a tragic and pathetic figure. Besides these four leads, highlights include Michael Kelly as Franks loyal underling Doug Stamper, Mahershala Ali as slick lobbyist Remy Danton, Gerald McRaney as the enigmatic businessman Raymond Tusk and Rachel Brosnahan as Rachel Posner, a prostitute turned political pawn.