Frank who? New House of Cards teaser proves Robin Wright’s got this
President Claire Underwood has a bold message for her enemies and anyone who counted House of Cards down and out after Kevin Spacey’s firing.
In less than 30 seconds, House of Cards answers the two questions on everyone’s minds. After a series of sexual harassment allegations resulted in Kevin Spacey being fired from the acclaimed show, everyone wanted to know: can the show survive without the deliciously amoral Frank Underwood, and what can the country expect from Madam President Underwood?
The clip reveals a bustling White House whirling around the cool calm at the center of every House of Cards storm – the icy Claire Underwood, now the first female president of the United States. In the silence of the Oval Office, she has four ominous words for America: “We’re just getting started.”
With her long con to the White House over and comfortably seated at the desk of power, it seems the mysterious and unreadable Claire Underwood will finally be off the chain and ready to rule as she wants, not as her husband needs.
It’s a warning, a threat and an unexpected metaphor for the internal drama surrounding the production after Spacey’s firing threatened to shut down the award-winning show.
The flick that set off the domino-like wave of revelations came in late October of last year.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 22: Kevin Spacey speaks on stage at the portrait unveiling and season 4 premiere of Netflix’s ‘House Of Cards’ at the National Portrait Gallery on February 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images For Netflix)
Inspired by the #MeToo movement sparked by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp told Buzzfeed News that in 1986, 26-year-old Kevin Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance on the then-14-year-old actor. The confession opened up a Pandora’s box-level of disturbing claims, including 20 reports of inappropriate behavior during Spacey’s tenure as the artistic director of London’s Old Vic theatre.
Spacey responded, claiming to have no memory of the event, but apologized for “what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.”
House of Cards was three episodes into filming when Netflix abruptly announced that it would be canceling the acclaimed series, devastating fans. However, investigations and decisions regarding production primarily fell to Media Rights Capital (MRC Studios), the studio behind the show.
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 30: Robin Wright attends the Netflix’s ‘House Of Cards’ New York Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on January 30, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
MRC was reportedly determined to set a positive example on how to proceed after the sexual harassment allegations — wanting to do so in a manner that respected the victims and seriousness of the claims, as well as avoiding potentially catastrophic layoffs of the cast and crew.
After launching a full investigation, the studio moved forward without Spacey. A rewrite of the final season was ordered with full confidence in actress Robin Wright’s ability to hold down the show as the star and commander-in-chief.
Could Wright’s Underwood usher in a new era of politics so Machiavellian that it makes Frank Underwood look like he was playing checkers to her chess? If the teaser is any indication, she’s just getting warmed up.
Next: House of Cards: Why fans shouldn’t worry about season 6
It’s unclear how much of the original storyline made it into the rewrite, but it’s safe to say that the upcoming season of House of Cards will be making a statement — in front and behind the camera.