Get ready for more D.C. double-crossing: Netflix will release Season 3 of its acclaimed drama "House of Cards" on February 27. The series stars Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood, a ruthless congressman who orchestrates a swift rise to the highest levels of political power through deceit, manipulation and much, much worse. (SPOILER ALERT: Don't read further if you're not caught up.)
Get ready for more D.C. double-crossing: Netflix will release Season 3 of its acclaimed drama "House of Cards" on February 27. The series stars Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood, a ruthless congressman who orchestrates a swift rise to the highest levels of political power through deceit, manipulation and much, much worse. (SPOILER ALERT: Don't read further if you're not caught up.)
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Robin Wright plays Frank's calculating wife and partner in crime Claire Underwood. In Season 1 she had a brief affair with an old boyfriend, photographer Adam Galloway (Ben Daniels), which threatened to torpedo the Underwoods' political plans.
Robin Wright plays Frank's calculating wife and partner in crime Claire Underwood. In Season 1 she had a brief affair with an old boyfriend, photographer Adam Galloway (Ben Daniels), which threatened to torpedo the Underwoods' political plans.
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After U.S. President Garrett Walker (Michel Gill) passed him over for Secretary of State, Frank made it his mission to bring Walker down. He gradually earned the president's trust -- and the vice presidency -- while secretly working to undermine him.
After U.S. President Garrett Walker (Michel Gill) passed him over for Secretary of State, Frank made it his mission to bring Walker down. He gradually earned the president's trust -- and the vice presidency -- while secretly working to undermine him.
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Peter Russo (Corey Stoll), a congressman from Pennsylvania, was blackmailed by the Underwoods after Frank quashed his DUI arrest. A dynamic but self-destructive figure, Russo was in a secret relationship with staffer Christina Gallagher (Kristen Connolly). Frank killed him near the end of Season 1, fearing he was becoming a liability.
Peter Russo (Corey Stoll), a congressman from Pennsylvania, was blackmailed by the Underwoods after Frank quashed his DUI arrest. A dynamic but self-destructive figure, Russo was in a secret relationship with staffer Christina Gallagher (Kristen Connolly). Frank killed him near the end of Season 1, fearing he was becoming a liability.
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Freddy Hayes (Reg E. Cathey) was the owner of Frank's favorite barbecue joint and a true friend to the Underwoods until his criminal past was exposed and they abruptly cut ties with him.
Freddy Hayes (Reg E. Cathey) was the owner of Frank's favorite barbecue joint and a true friend to the Underwoods until his criminal past was exposed and they abruptly cut ties with him.
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Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) was an ambitious young reporter who began a mutually beneficial working relationship with Frank that soon turned sexual. But then she began investigating Russo's death. Oops. In an early Season 2 shocker, Frank hurled her in front of a subway train.
Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) was an ambitious young reporter who began a mutually beneficial working relationship with Frank that soon turned sexual. But then she began investigating Russo's death. Oops. In an early Season 2 shocker, Frank hurled her in front of a subway train.
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Remy Danton (Mahershala Ali) is a smooth-talking lobbyist whose goals often clash with the Underwoods.
Remy Danton (Mahershala Ali) is a smooth-talking lobbyist whose goals often clash with the Underwoods.
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Journalists Lucas Goodwin (Sebastian Arcelus), left, and Tom Hammerschmidt (Boris McGiver), were former colleagues of Zoe Barnes at the fictional Washington Herald. After trying to link Frank Underwood to Zoe's death Lucas was set up in an FBI sting operation and sent to prison. Tom then agreed to investigate Lucas' claims but was stonewalled by the Underwoods.
Journalists Lucas Goodwin (Sebastian Arcelus), left, and Tom Hammerschmidt (Boris McGiver), were former colleagues of Zoe Barnes at the fictional Washington Herald. After trying to link Frank Underwood to Zoe's death Lucas was set up in an FBI sting operation and sent to prison. Tom then agreed to investigate Lucas' claims but was stonewalled by the Underwoods.
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Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly) is Frank's unwaveringly loyal chief of staff. Doug's life grew complicated when he became obsessed with Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan), a prostitute they used to sabotage Peter Russo's career. Doug tried to keep Rachel out of sight in a suburban apartment, but his plan backfired when she turned on him at the end of Season 2.
Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly) is Frank's unwaveringly loyal chief of staff. Doug's life grew complicated when he became obsessed with Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan), a prostitute they used to sabotage Peter Russo's career. Doug tried to keep Rachel out of sight in a suburban apartment, but his plan backfired when she turned on him at the end of Season 2.
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Billionaire Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney) is an old friend of President Walker who vetted Frank as a candidate for the vice presidency. He and Frank formed an initial alliance but soon began to tussle over access to Walker's inner circle.
Billionaire Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney) is an old friend of President Walker who vetted Frank as a candidate for the vice presidency. He and Frank formed an initial alliance but soon began to tussle over access to Walker's inner circle.
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Frank struggled to keep his cool after Claire revealed to him she was raped in college by a newly commissioned general. In a military honors ceremony, Frank was later forced to pin a star on the general, Dalton McGinnis (Peter Bradbury).
Frank struggled to keep his cool after Claire revealed to him she was raped in college by a newly commissioned general. In a military honors ceremony, Frank was later forced to pin a star on the general, Dalton McGinnis (Peter Bradbury).
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Congresswoman Jacqueline "Jackie" Sharp (Molly Parker) shares coffee with her mentor, Ted Havemeyer (David Clennon). After Frank Underwood became vice president he made sure Sharp succeeded him as House Majority Whip, although their loyalties were often strained.
Congresswoman Jacqueline "Jackie" Sharp (Molly Parker) shares coffee with her mentor, Ted Havemeyer (David Clennon). After Frank Underwood became vice president he made sure Sharp succeeded him as House Majority Whip, although their loyalties were often strained.
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Janine Skorsky (Constance Zimmer) began Season 2 as a cynical reporter and colleague of Zoe Barnes. But she got spooked by Frank's ruthless behavior and fled Washington for upstate New York, where she rebuffed efforts by Louis to recruit her help in bringing down the Underwoods.
Janine Skorsky (Constance Zimmer) began Season 2 as a cynical reporter and colleague of Zoe Barnes. But she got spooked by Frank's ruthless behavior and fled Washington for upstate New York, where she rebuffed efforts by Louis to recruit her help in bringing down the Underwoods.
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Claire Underwood sat down for a live interview with CNN's Ashleigh Banfield in which she confessed she once had an abortion after being raped in college. The appearance humanized her and boosted the Underwoods' visibility.
Claire Underwood sat down for a live interview with CNN's Ashleigh Banfield in which she confessed she once had an abortion after being raped in college. The appearance humanized her and boosted the Underwoods' visibility.
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As one of the few surviving characters with knowledge that could harm Frank, Rachel Posner is a key to Season 3. She want on the run at the end of Season 2 after bashing Doug in the head with a brick and leaving him for dead in the woods.
As one of the few surviving characters with knowledge that could harm Frank, Rachel Posner is a key to Season 3. She want on the run at the end of Season 2 after bashing Doug in the head with a brick and leaving him for dead in the woods.
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By the close of Season 2 Frank Underwood's rise to the presidency was complete. But early episodes of Season 3 suggest that keeping his grip on power will not be easy. He faces a tough fight for re-election, and Claire is hinting that her own political fortunes will not be dragged down by his failings.
By the close of Season 2 Frank Underwood's rise to the presidency was complete. But early episodes of Season 3 suggest that keeping his grip on power will not be easy. He faces a tough fight for re-election, and Claire is hinting that her own political fortunes will not be dragged down by his failings.
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