It is the first original online-only streaming television series to receive major Emmy nominations. House of Cards received positive reviews and several award nominations, including 33 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Spacey, and Outstanding Lead Actress for Wright. The series deals with themes of ruthless pragmatism, manipulation, betrayal, and power. Frank is passed over for appointment as Secretary of State but remains House Majority Whip so he initiates an elaborate plan to attain power, aided by Claire. House of Cards is set in Washington, D.C., and is the story of Frank Underwood ( Kevin Spacey), an amoral politician and Democrat from South Carolina's 5th congressional district, and his equally ambitious wife Claire Underwood ( Robin Wright). House of Cards is the first TV series to have been produced by a studio for Netflix. The first 13-episode season was released on February 1, 2013, on the streaming service Netflix. It is an adaptation of the 1990 BBC series of the same name and based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs. House of Cards is an American political thriller streaming television series created by Beau Willimon.
