House of Cards | |
---|---|
Season 3 | |
Starring | |
No. of episodes | 13 |
Release | |
Original network | Netflix |
Original release | February 27, 2015 |
Season chronology | |
The third season of the American television drama series House of Cards was commissioned on February 4, 2014. Netflix released the season in its entirety on February 27, 2015. The season was filmed from approximately June 12 through December 20, 2014.
The season was recognized with numerous award nominations. Kevin Spacey won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of Frank Underwood and Reg E. Cathey won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the 67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Freddy Hayes.
On February 4, 2014, Netflix announced it had renewed House of Cards for a third season of undisclosed length. [1] On December 1, 2014, Netflix announced that the third season would be available on February 27, 2015. [2] On February 11, 2015, 10 episodes from the third season became accidentally available on Netflix for approximately 25 minutes due to "a bug in the system"; however, they were quickly removed. [3]
In February 2014, Kevin Spacey stated that the show would again film in the Baltimore metropolitan area. [4] On July 3, the show was denied filming access to the Security Council chamber at the Headquarters of the United Nations by Russia through its representative Mikael Agasandyan despite encouragement from Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. [5] Russia questioned the propriety of filming in the chambers and felt that the room should be kept available for normal uses. [6]
For a third consecutive season, the show filmed episodes at the offices of The Baltimore Sun , which in prior seasons served as the setting for the fictional Washington Herald. [7] Among the municipalities filmed in for the season were Havre de Grace, Maryland, and Aberdeen, Maryland. [8] On August 9, filming of a fictional motorcade at the National Mall caused road closures on Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue. [9] On October 6, filming occurred at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. [10] Other D.C. filming occurred at George Washington University and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. [11]
The season finale was planned to be filmed in Northern New Mexico areas in and around Santa Fe and Las Vegas, New Mexico in December 2014. [12] [13] On December 20, 2014, creator Beau Willimon tweeted that principal photography for the season had completed that day. [14] [15]
Netflix had received $26 million in tax benefits for the first two seasons, but was only offered a $4-million incentive for season three by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, which resulted in its delaying and threatening to move production. [16] By March 2014, it was clear that the requested state tax incentives would not be approved by the Maryland Legislature. [17] In response to Netflix's threat to move production if "sufficient tax incentives" were not provided, the Maryland House of Delegates threatened to use eminent domain power to purchase, condemn, or seize the production assets, equipment, and other property that remained in the state because the production had already been the beneficiary of tens of millions of dollars in tax benefits. [18] [19] By April 6, 2014, the Maryland General Assembly considered various methods to avail the tax incentives. [20] However, the April 7 state budget only included a total of $15 million in tax incentives for filming, [16] leaving a $3.5-million shortfall for House of Cards, which production company Media Rights Capital said might force them to move production. [21] Baltimore Sun longtime television critic David Zurawik felt that the $3.5 million would not keep House of Cards from returning to resume production. [22] As of April 11, some predicted that no matter what happened the season three release date would be delayed. [23] On April 25, a deal was reached to leave the 2015 fiscal year budget with the $3.5-million shortfall, but to allow the producers to collect the $11.5-million unallocated filming credit that remained in the previous year’s budget. [24] [25] [26]
On May 19, 2014, a May 19–21 casting call was posted in the Baltimore Sun for an NSA Director as well as senators, reporters, military colonels, emergency room doctors and a few other roles with projected shooting availability: June 12 – July 15, 2014. [27] [28] On June 3, 2014, an announcement for a June 7 casting call for extras and day players was made. [29] In August 2014, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina of the punk band Pussy Riot were confirmed to be in the cast for season 3. [30] In October 2014, two recurring roles were cast; Kim Dickens in an unspecified role, and Jenna Stern as an ambassador at the United Nations. [31] [32] Elizabeth Norment, who played Frank's secretary Nancy Kaufberger, died on October 13. [33]
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code |
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27 | 1 | "Chapter 27" | John David Coles | Beau Willimon | February 27, 2015 | HOC-301 |
Frank, now President of the United States, pushes for a jobs program called America Works (or "AmWorks") in an effort to show progress in his administration. He enlists Rep. Donald Blythe as his Vice President and Remy Danton as his temporary Chief of Staff, filling in for Doug (who was found beaten in the woods and requires extensive surgery and care). Frank orders a drone strike that successfully eliminates a foreign target. Claire sets her sights on becoming the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Doug makes a slow and painful physical recovery, and has Gavin Orsay (who now works for the FBI) help him locate Rachel. He eventually gives in to the pain from his injuries and breaks his sobriety by having a prostitute squirt bourbon into his mouth using a syringe. | ||||||
28 | 2 | "Chapter 28" | John David Coles | John Mankiewicz | February 27, 2015 | HOC-302 |
Frank meets with Democratic Party leadership to discuss AmWorks, only to be told they do not want him seeking reelection in 2016. On Frank's behalf, Remy gleans information from House Majority Whip Jackie Sharp on potential 2016 candidates, in exchange for Jackie being named Frank's running mate. The Democrat leaders later tell Frank they will help pass AmWorks in return for not running in 2016; Frank lies to them that will not seek reelection and provides details on the AmWorks program. The Senate votes against Claire's nomination for UN Ambassador after a heated confirmation hearing. Claire decides to challenge their decision and asks for a recess appointment with Frank's support. | ||||||
29 | 3 | "Chapter 29" | Tucker Gates | Frank Pugliese | February 27, 2015 | HOC-303 |
Frank has a controversial meeting with President of Russia Viktor Petrov, who rejects Frank's proposal to send UN troops to the Jordan Valley. Secretary of State Cathy Durant and Claire (now UN Ambassador) also work on persuading Petrov to accept. During a state dinner, members of Pussy Riot give an insulting toast to Petrov before rudely leaving. Petrov flirts with Claire all night, eventually kissing her; Claire confides her distrust of Petrov to Durant. Petrov asks Frank to remove the Europe's missile defense system in return for sending Russian troops to the Middle East; when Petrov rejects Frank's proposed compromise, Frank calls off the deal. Claire and Durant make plans to bypass Russia's veto in the United Nations Security Council so the U.S. can still send troops. | ||||||
30 | 4 | "Chapter 30" | Tucker Gates | Laura Eason | February 27, 2015 | HOC-304 |
Supreme Court Justice Jacobs considers retirement after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's; Frank offers Jacobs' seat to Heather Dunbar, seeing no other way to deter her from running against him in 2016. Dunbar nonetheless announces her presidential candidacy; Doug offers to work for her campaign, sensing that Frank is pushing him away. After Gavin is nearly caught by the FBI for helping Doug find Rachel, Doug has him get close to Rachel's ex, Lisa. Seth Grayson takes away Ayla Sayyad's White House credentials after she embarrasses Frank at a press conference. Claire presents a peacekeeping resolution on the Israel-Palestine conflict to the Security Council, which Russia thwarts by voting against. Russian authorities later arrest Michael Corrigan, an American gay rights activist, which is seen as retaliation for the UN resolution. | ||||||
31 | 5 | "Chapter 31" | James Foley | Kenneth Lin | February 27, 2015 | HOC-305 |
Frank has the mayor of the District of Columbia help him kickstart AmWorks and appropriates money from FEMA to fund the program, but both Republican Senator Hector Mendoza and Democratic Congressman Bob Birch tell Frank that both parties will fight AmWorks in Congress. Frank encourages Jackie to run in 2016 on a campaign against AmWorks to divert the pressure Dunbar is mounting regarding Russia, promising to make Jackie his running mate in exchange. Jackie gets engaged to surgeon Alan Cooke, upsetting Remy. Reporter Kate Baldwin fills in for Ayla as the White House correspondent for the Wall Street Telegraph. Doug shows Dunbar documents proving Claire lied about her abortion, suggesting she use them against Frank; Dunbar is appalled, but hires Doug anyway. Palestine follows Israel in withdrawing support from the peace-keeping resolution; Claire asks Frank to issue an executive order to commit troops in Israel, thus regaining support for the resolution. Russia agrees to peacefully talk over a compromise for the resolution and release Corrigan. | ||||||
32 | 6 | "Chapter 32" | James Foley | Melissa James Gibson | February 27, 2015 | HOC-306 |
Gavin meets Lisa and lies about receiving a positive HIV test to get her to open up about Rachel. Frank and Claire fly to Moscow; Claire visits Corrigan in jail to inform him they have negotiated the terms of his release, but Corrigan forgoes his freedom unless Russia changes their anti-gay legislation. Petrov is unwilling to make any deals with the U.S. unless Corrigan makes a public apology to Russia for his unlawful actions as part of his release agreement. Petrov later privately admits to Frank he himself does not approve of the laws Corrigan is protesting, but must uphold them to maintain credibility with his citizens. Corrigan confides to Claire that his marriage is failing but he cannot divorce as it would reflect poorly on his cause; he suggests Claire's marital situation is similar. Frank and Petrov eventually reach a compromise on Corrigan and the UN resolution, but Corrigan hangs himself in his cell while Claire is asleep. At a press conference to announce the Russian-American agreement, a shaken Claire denounces Russia's laws and storms out of the event; Petrov calls off the agreement due to the incident. | ||||||
33 | 7 | "Chapter 33" | John Dahl | Beau Willimon | February 27, 2015 | HOC-307 |
Tensions worsen between Frank and Claire following the botched Moscow visit. Claire vows to get the Jordan Valley resolution passed through the UN General Assembly, which is being hampered by Israeli interference. Republicans in Congress threaten to amend the Stafford Act to prevent the appropriation of FEMA funds to AmWorks; Frank in turn issues a firm statement in support of America Works on the anniversary of the New Deal. Frank is moved when he notices a stone wall separating the statues of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt at the FDR Memorial; he shares his feelings with Claire and gives her the authority to promise aid money to Zimbabwe, thereby enabling the peace resolution to pass the General Assembly in spite of Israel's opposition. The two begin to heal their relationship. One month later, Frank and Claire renew their vows in Gaffney, South Carolina. Frank befriends his new biographer, Tom Yates, who reveals he is not the true author of the novel that launched his career but merely took the credit; Frank in turn reveals to Yates he never felt he was good enough for Claire. | ||||||
34 | 8 | "Chapter 34" | John Dahl | Bill Kennedy | February 27, 2015 | HOC-308 |
A potentially devastating hurricane threatens the East Coast; Frank faces intense pressure from FEMA, Congress, and several governors for having defunded the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to pay for the America Works trial in D.C. Senate and House leaders demand Frank sign a bill preventing the future appropriation of funds to AmWorks, in return for replenishing the DRF ahead of the hurricane's landfall. Yates delivers the prologue of his biography to Frank, aware that he will be out of a job if AmWorks is defunded. Yates and Kate start a sexual relationship. Freddy, now employed via AmWorks, is offered the job of White House groundskeeper by Frank. Seeing no alternative, Frank signs the bipartisan bill and replenishes the DRF ahead of the hurricane, effectively shutting down AmWorks. With Claire's peacekeeping resolution having been passed, Frank decides without congressional support to deploy U.S. troops to the Jordan Valley. Claire later informs Frank that the Russians have decided to commit troops to the Jordan Valley. In Iowa, Dunbar meets with Jackie at Doug's suggestion and convinces her to suspend her campaign for the duration of the natural disaster, much to Frank's chagrin. Despite the setback with AmWorks, Frank commits to seeking reelection in 2016. | ||||||
35 | 9 | "Chapter 35" | Robin Wright | John Mankiewicz | February 27, 2015 | HOC-309 |
Frank is informed that eight Russians have been killed in an explosion in the Jordan Valley; Israel seeks to blame Palestine for the attack and masses troops near the valley. Petrov blames the U.S. for the casualties and refuses Frank's assistance on determining the cause of death. Claire meets with a Russian ambassador who implies that the Russian FSB was behind the killings in an attempt by Petrov to sabotage the entire peacekeeping mission, which he opposed from the start. Frank in turn approves a mission to send U.S. operatives to determine the cause of the explosion. Gavin tells Doug he has discovered Rachel to be dead; Doug relapses completely and later enters the Oval Office drunk, where he breaks down in front of Frank. Frank blames Dunbar for Doug's relapse and threatens her over the phone. The American operation in the Jordan Valley fails; Petrov calls Frank to inform him that footage of the operation has been leaked to the Israelis. | ||||||
36 | 10 | "Chapter 36" | Agnieszka Holland | Frank Pugliese | February 27, 2015 | HOC-310 |
Claire tries to negotiate a de-escalation between Israelis and Palestinians, while Israel institutes a no-fly zone. Frank is confronted about the Jordan Valley mission while campaigning; he wants Jackie to postpone the debate until the crisis is over. Jackie has doubts about her campaign while her husband encourages her. Doug asks for his brother's family to visit. Yates reaches out to Tim Corbet to learn more about Frank's past, and asks Claire to meet to hear her part of the story. Moryakov has been recalled by Moscow. Frank decides to meet Petrov in the Jordan Valley, as he needs a fast resolution of the crisis or his chance of winning in Iowa is jeopardized. Claire warns him that this is a mistake and he tells her that her peace plan is dead. Petrov demands that Frank dismantle the peacekeeping mission and make concessions on missile defense, knowing Frank's position is weak. He also demands that Claire be removed as UN Ambassador, bragging about how easily he manipulated her into believing Russia was behind the explosion. Frank has no choice but to comply and admits to Claire that meeting Petrov was indeed a mistake. Gavin visits Lisa at home and admits his deceptions to her, telling her he is leaving and giving her Doug's contact in case FBI comes looking for him; he leaves her his guinea pig. Frank meets Yates for late night drinks. Yates reminisces about his past as a male prostitute. They share an intimate moment, but then sends him home. Claire is asked to change her image to help Frank's campaign. She agrees to do what she has to do. | ||||||
37 | 11 | "Chapter 37" | Agnieszka Holland | Melissa James Gibson | February 27, 2015 | HOC-311 |
Gavin reveals to Doug that Rachel is not dead and agrees to release her exact location if Doug can help Gavin's friend. Claire begins campaigning on Frank's behalf while he prepares for the debate, asking Jackie to raise the issue of Dunbar's children's private education. Jackie proposes Dunbar that the two women join forces against Underwood expecting a position on her staff offered in the event of a win, with the deal falling through when Dunbar refuses. Frank wins the debate with the help of Jackie's attacks on Dunbar, but upsets Jackie with an unexpected attack on her to which she has no response. Embarrassed, Jackie confronts Frank about the debate but Frank forcefully refuses to make any concessions. Jackie initially appears to understand Frank but she soon drops out of the race and endorses Dunbar for the nomination. After voicing Jackie's concerns, as well as his own on Frank's treatment of his staff, Remy tells Seth he is resigning his position as Frank's Chief of Staff. Yates manages to have his first conversation with Claire while she donates blood, where she tells him she re-evaluates her marriage with Frank every seven years and suggests she is not completely satisfied. She passes out and Yates calls Frank, who reschedules to campaign with Claire. | ||||||
38 | 12 | "Chapter 38" | Robin Wright | Beau Willimon | February 27, 2015 | HOC-312 |
Frank asks Claire to take a more active role in his campaign as she is more popular with the public than he, evidenced by Dunbar's lead over him in the polls. Jacobs meets with Dunbar and asks her to replace him on the Supreme Court; although she refuses, Jacobs follows through with his retirement. After Frank reads the first chapter of Yates' book and finds details of his marriage with Claire, he chooses to fire Yates despite Yates' convictions that the book will be a success if it takes this direction. In his disappointment, Yates threatens to release the chapter to someone else but Frank aggressively advises against doing so—when Yates gives the chapter to Kate she is uninterested, much to his frustration. Remy tells Jackie he has chosen to leave politics and relocate despite being offered a job on her team, which causes Jackie to admit she still has romantic feelings for him and the two sleep together. Dunbar offers $2 million to Doug for Claire's journal, which contains the truth about her abortion. She meets privately with Frank and demands that he drop out of the race, but Frank is unfazed and denies the journal's existence. To demonstrate his loyalty, Doug burns the page of the journal which could incriminate Claire in front of Frank as they meet and insists there are no copies. He asks to fill the vacant Chief of Staff position, which Frank accepts, although Claire is disappointed in Frank for not choosing to discuss the matter with her privately beforehand. Claire later indicates doubts about their marriage and mutual trust after Frank says that her decision to resign the ambassadorship was entirely her own. | ||||||
39 | 13 | "Chapter 39" | James Foley | Beau Willimon | February 27, 2015 | HOC-313 |
Having tracked down Gavin, Doug flies to Caracas and beats him into revealing the whereabouts of Rachel, who is holding two jobs and has bought documents to change her identity. Doug buys a van and supplies, stalks Rachel, abducts her, and ties her up in the back of the van. Rachel apologizes to Doug, explaining she wishes she could take back her actions and claiming she was relieved when she heard he was alive. In a remote location, Doug informs Rachel that he intends to kill her painlessly, but Rachel reveals her new identity and begs to be spared. Doug feels compelled to release Rachel, but quickly realizes that the risk is too great, turns back to kill her, and buries her in the desert. After campaigning in Iowa, Claire asks Frank for rough sex; he cannot do it and recommends that she return to Washington. Claire invites Yates to the White House to talk, and he reveals what she said to him while giving blood. Frank wins the Iowa vote, giving his victory speech alone. When he returns, Claire complains to Frank that she feels they are no longer equals and that she has become subordinate to him. Frank becomes irate and tells her that without him she is nothing, violently demanding that she go to New Hampshire and campaign with him as the First Lady should. The next morning she tells him she is leaving him. |
The third season has received positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the season has a score of 76 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [34] On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 73%, based on 56 reviews, with an average rating of 7.02/10. The site's consensus reads, "Season three introduces intriguing new political and personal elements to Frank Underwood's character, even if it feels like more of the same for some." [35]
For the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, Kevin Spacey for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Robin Wright for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and Michael Kelly for Outstanding Supporting in a Drama Series. [36] For the 67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Reg E. Cathey won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, Rachel Brosnahan was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and Jeff Beal won for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series. [37]
For the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards, the cast was nominated for Best Drama Ensemble, Kevin Spacey won for Best Drama Actor, and Robin Wright was nominated for Best Drama Actress. [38] For the 73rd Golden Globe Awards, Robin Wright was nominated for Best Drama Actress. [39]
The third season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on July 7, 2015, [40] and in region 2 on June 29, 2015. [41]
House of Cards is a 1990 British political thriller television serial in four episodes, set after the end of Margaret Thatcher's tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It was televised by the BBC from 18 November to 9 December 1990. Released to critical and popular acclaim for its writing, direction, and performances, it is considered one of the greatest British television shows ever made.
Kevin Spacey Fowler, is an American actor. Known for his work on stage and screen, he has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and two Laurence Olivier Awards. Spacey was named an honorary Commander and Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2010 and 2015, respectively.
Robin Gayle Wright Penn is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, and nominations for eight Primetime Emmy Awards.
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Jason Winer is an American director, producer, writer, actor, and comedian. He is best known for directing the pilot and 22 additional episodes of the American sitcom Modern Family, and for the 2011 film Arthur.
House of Cards is an American political thriller television series created by Beau Willimon. It is based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs and an adaptation of the 1990 British series of the same name by Andrew Davies, also from the novel. The first 13-episode season was released on February 1, 2013, on the streaming service Netflix. House of Cards is the first TV series to have been produced by a studio for Netflix.
Pack Beauregard Willimon is an American playwright and screenwriter. He helped develop the American version of the series House of Cards and served as showrunner for the first four seasons. In 2018, Willimon created the drama series The First for Hulu, about the first crewed mission to Mars.
"Chapter 1" is the pilot episode of the American political thriller drama television series House of Cards and is the first episode of the first season. It premiered on February 1, 2013, when it was released along with the rest of the first season on the American streaming service Netflix. This episode became the first streaming television webisode to earn Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations. "Chapter 1" was written by series developer Beau Willimon and directed by executive producer David Fincher. The episode also earned 3 other Emmy nominations as well as Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Episodic Drama and Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series nominations.
The first season of the American television drama series House of Cards premiered exclusively via Netflix's web streaming service on February 1, 2013. The season was produced by Media Rights Capital, and the executive producers are David Fincher, Kevin Spacey, Eric Roth, Joshua Donen, Dana Brunetti, Andrew Davies, Michael Dobbs, John Melfi, and Beau Willimon.
The second season of the American television drama series House of Cards began filming a set of 13 episodes on April 29, 2013, and concluded on November 8. Filming occurred primarily in Baltimore. On December 4, 2013, Netflix announced that the season would be released in its entirety on February 14, 2014. Set in Washington, D.C., season two deals with topics such as entitlement reform, state-sponsored cyberespionage, money laundering in campaign finance, anthrax scares, sexual assault in the United States military, public opinion regarding abortion in the United States, parliamentary procedure of the United States Senate, and Federal government shutdowns. The plot picks back up where season one ends.
Francis Joseph Underwood is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American adaptation of House of Cards, portrayed by Kevin Spacey. He is depicted as a ruthless politician who rises from United States House of Representatives majority whip to president of the United States through treachery, deception and murder. He is based on Francis Urquhart, the protagonist of the British novel and television series House of Cards, from which the American Netflix series is drawn. He is married to Claire Underwood, and also had a sexual relationship with Zoe Barnes in season 1. He made his first appearance in the series' pilot episode, "Chapter 1".
Claire Underwood is a fictional character in House of Cards, played by Robin Wright. She is the wife of the show's protagonist Frank Underwood and the main protagonist in the final season. She is a lobbyist and runs an environmental nonprofit organization, but in later seasons ascends to the positions of Second Lady of the United States, First Lady of the United States, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Vice President of the United States, and finally the 47th President of the United States. Claire made her first appearance in the series' pilot episode, "Chapter 1". The character is based on Elizabeth Urquhart, a character from the eponymous British miniseries from which the current series is derived. Unlike the original character, however, Claire has her own storylines.
The fourth season of the American television drama series House of Cards was announced by Netflix via Twitter on April 2, 2015. Filming began on June 16, 2015. The season premiered on March 4, 2016.
The fifth season of House of Cards, an American political drama television series created by Beau Willimon for Netflix, was released on May 30, 2017. Frank Pugliese and Melissa James Gibson took over as showrunners in place of Willimon, who departed the series. The fifth season follows Frank and Claire Underwood and their attempt to win the 2016 presidential election against Republican Party nominee Will Conway. The Underwoods are also faced with mounting insubordination from staff and congressional colleagues as the threat of impeachment looms.
The sixth and final season of House of Cards, an American political drama television series created by Beau Willimon for Netflix, was released on November 2, 2018. Frank Pugliese and Melissa James Gibson returned as showrunners for the final season. The sixth season continues the story of recently-inaugurated, Democratic president Claire Underwood, who faces new threats within and outside the White House following the death of her husband and former president Frank Underwood. Powerful elites, led by wealthy siblings Annette and Bill Shepherd, are attempting to manipulate and destroy her presidency, while Claire struggles to exert influence and escape her husband's shadow.