| Frank Underwood | |
|---|---|
| House of Cards character | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Frank_Underwood_-_House_of_Cards.jpg) Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood | |
| First appearance | "Chapter 1" (2013) |
| Last appearance | "Chapter 65" (2017; official) "Chapter 66" (2018; stand-in) |
| Created by | Beau Willimon |
| Portrayed by | Kevin Spacey Uncredited stand-in (season 6) |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Francis Joseph Underwood |
| Title | President of the United States |
| Occupation | Member of the South Carolina Senate (Pre-series) Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th congressional district (Season 1) Majority Whip of the United States House of Representatives (Season 1) Vice President of the United States (Season 2) President of the United States (Season 2–Season 5) Second Gentleman of the United States (Season 5) Special Advisor to the President (Season 5) First Gentleman of the United States (Season 5) |
| Family | Calvin T. Underwood (father) Catherine Underwood (mother) |
| Spouse | |
| Religion | None (Atheism) Christianity (only publicly) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Hometown | Gaffney, South Carolina |
| Alma mater | The Sentinel (BA, 1981) Harvard Law School (JD, 1984) |
| Based on | Francis Urquhart |
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 (Robin Wright), and also had a sexual relationship with Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) in season 1. He made his first appearance in the series' pilot episode, "Chapter 1".
Underwood is from Gaffney, South Carolina. He graduated from The Sentinel (a fictionalized version of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina) in 1980 and, subsequently, Harvard Law School in 1984. Some of Underwood's dialogue throughout the series is presented in a direct address to the audience, a narrative technique that breaks the fourth wall. The character speaks with a Southern accent. During season 1, he is the Democratic majority whip in the United States House of Representatives. In season 2, he is the newly appointed vice president of the United States, before becoming president of the United States in the season finale.
Underwood has been described as conniving, Machiavellian, sociopathic, and a symbol of political corruption. Throughout the series, he manipulates and destroys several people, including those he calls friends, for his own ends. Among other crimes, he personally commits murder twice, signs off on another murder committed by a subordinate, orders the deaths of two former employees, critically injures a member of his cabinet to prevent her testifying against him, attempts to murder his wife, and indirectly allows the murder of a civilian for political ends.
While Spacey received positive reviews for his portrayal of Frank Underwood, the character itself has been criticized for its repetitive nature,[1][2] as well as one-dimensionality.[3][4] Spacey was one of the first three actors playing leading roles in web-television series to be nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards. Spacey has also been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, winning one, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards, including two cast nominations and including two wins, for his performances.
On November 3, 2017, following sexual assault claims made against Spacey, Netflix cut ties with the actor, putting the character's fate in question.[5] In a teaser trailer for the sixth season of House of Cards, it is shown that Underwood died in 2017 and is now buried next to his father in South Carolina.[6] The series finale reveals that his right-hand man, Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly), poisoned him in order to stop him from killing Claire.[7]
- ^ Handler, Rachel (January 29, 2016). "'House Of Cards' Has Been Renewed For A Fifth Season, But Not Everybody Is Coming Back". uproxx.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ Lyons, Margaret (March 3, 2015). "House of Cards Has a Frank-and-Claire Problem". Vulture.com. New York City: New York Media. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ Bady, Aaron (March 4, 2015). "'House of Cards' Should Stop Trying to Be 'The West Wing'". The New Republic. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (April 30, 2014). "'House of Cards' season 2 in review: It gets weaker the more you watch". hitfix.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (November 3, 2017). "Netflix Severs Ties With Kevin Spacey". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California: Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
- ^ Petski, Denise (September 5, 2018). "'House Of Cards': Frank Underwood's Fate Revealed In Season 6 Teaser". Deadline Hollywood. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
- ^ Strauss, Jackie (November 5, 2018). "'House of Cards' Showrunners Unravel Series Finale Death Mystery". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California: Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2018.