The fate of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) in the sixth and final season of House of Cards has at last been revealed.
A teaser shared via the show’s Twitter account shows Frank’s icy tongued wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), addressing the camera with a cutting monologue:
I’ll tell you this though Francis. When they bury me, it won’t be in my backyard. And when they pay their respects, they’ll have to wait in line.
The camera then pans away to show Frank is dead and buried beside his loathed father – Calvin T. Underwood – whose grave the sociopathic politician once urinated over as a sign of contempt.
This clip is undoubtedly a throw back to the disrespectful scene, with Claire apparently enjoying the prospect of earning the sort of immortal legacy her ruthlessly ambitious husband never quite achieved in life.
The teaser – posted 5 September – has elicited quite a response, with many intrigued by the dramatically different direction the prestige political drama has taken in the wake of the allegations made against Spacey.
One person commented:
Frank *was* HoC but the show evolved a lot over 5 seasons. His character-well ran dry. His gimmicks hit their ceiling. [sic]
Claire is the mystery of the show and a far more compelling character. Not to mention Spacey is clearly radioactive, as he should be.
Another bellowed:
CLAIRE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE BETTER CHARACTER. [sic]
Following allegations of Spacey making sexual advances towards a 14-year-old boy, Netflix dropped him from the role of Frank, making the following statement:
Netflix will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey.
We will continue to work with MRC [Media Rights Capital] during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.
We have also decided we will not be moving forward with the release of the film Gore, which was in post-production, starring and produced by Kevin Spacey.
MRC issued the following statement following Spacey’s suspension:
While we continue the ongoing investigation into the serious allegations concerning Kevin Spacey’s behavior on the set of House of Cards, he has been suspended, effective immediately.
MRC, in partnership with Netflix, will continue to evaluate a creative path forward for the program during the hiatus.
In season six, Claire appears unrecognisable to the Lady Macbeth type of character we came to know in season one, intent on pushing her husband onwards and upwards through every sadistic and shocking power move.
Widowed Claire is now motivated by her own goals and desires, and will clearly become the main focus of the drama.
Even though this was perhaps never the direction the show originally intended, it will still be interesting to see where this fresh dynamic takes us as the Underwood’s savage rise to power finally reaches a conclusion.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12-2:30 and 7-9:30). Alternatively you can contact Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111.
Male Survivors Partnership is available to support adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape. You can contact the organisation on its website or on its helpline – 0808 800 5005.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via stories@unilad.co.uk
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.