House of Cards (US Version)

JP Liz V1

http://www.thewrap.com/television/column-post/kevin-spacey-star-house-cards-25218

Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey will star in and executive produce MRC's television series "House of Cards," TheWrap has confirmed.
David Fincher, who was nominated for an Academy Award for directing "The Social Network," is directing the pilot and producing the show. Beau Willimon, who is attached to George Clooney's "Ides of March," wrote the pilot.
Eric Roth, who wrote Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," is also an executive producer, as are Joshua Donen and Dana Brunetti also are executive producers.
The series is adapted from the 1990 British miniseries and the book, which follows a British politician who wants to be prime minister. It did well in the UK, winning a BAFTA and an Emmy.
The Fincher version is set in the United States.
The show has not been taken to networks.

Skid

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

http://www.thewrap.com/television/column-post/kevin-spacey-star-house-cards-25218

I loved the BBC adaptation of the book, although it was the brilliant performance of Ian Richardson which made the show.

It'll be interesting to see how they adapt the book to US politics.

Corkfeen

David Fincher and Kevin Spacey, think this could equal brilliance. Although i'd prefer it to be picked up by the likes of Showtime or HBO to really get the best out of it.

Richard Dower

A first of it's kind

http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/its-official-netflix-picks-up-david-fincher-kevin-spacey-series-house-of-cards/

Netflix just announced that it has acquired House of Cards, a political thriller drama series from executive producer/director David Fincher starring Kevin Spacey, which will be distributed exclusively via the company's Internet subscription service. This marks Netflix's first foray into original programming.

Netflix, which has more than 20 million subscribers at the moment, has committed to 26 episodes of the drama, which is being produced by Media Rights Capital. Its premiere is scheduled for almost two years from now, in late 2012. Over the next year, the show will work on the 13 scripts for its first season. Fincher, who is now busy directing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, will direct the first episode of House of Cards next spring. That episode will then be evaluated like a pilot, and adjustments will be made if needed before production on the remaining episodes commences. In the next 3-6 months, MRC is expected to assemble a team to support the big production. More from Netflix's release:

A satirical tale of power, corruption and lies, “House of Cards” is based on the book and acclaimed BBC mini-series of the same name. “The gripping, serialized one hour drama has become a very important part of the Netflix experience,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “David Fincher’s unique vision, the indelible performances of Kevin Spacey and the original version of “House of Cards,” all have a big following among our members, giving the series a very good chance of becoming a fan favorite."

Originally written as a novel by former U.K. Conservative Party Chief of Staff Michael Dobbs, “House of Cards” explores the ruthless underside of British politics at the end of the Thatcher era. Reset against the backdrop of modern-day U.S. electoral politics, the new one-hour drama follows an ambitious politician (Spacey) with his eye on the top job.

Scripts for 13 episodes will be delivered before production on the “House of Cards” pilot begins in the spring of 2012. Production on subsequent episodes of “House of Cards” will commence several months later, allowing producers time to carefully develop the series.

Media Rights Capital’s “House of Cards” stars Kevin Spacey (Casino Jack) and was developed by Beau Willimon (The Ides of March). David Fincher (The Social Network), Josh Donen (Spartacus: Blood and Sand), Academy Award-winner Eric Roth (Forrest Gump ), along with Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti of Trigger Street Productions (The Social Network) are Executive Producers for the series. Emmy Award-winner Andrew Davies and Michael Dobbs, who produced the original BBC series, also serve as Executive Producers, with Willimon as Co-Executive Producer. The “House of Cards” pilot is written by Willimon and will be directed by Fincher.

Dman001

Dunno if it was worth the rumoured $10 Million for the rights, seeing as they could of just got the streaming rights after the series aired on a Network. But, then again, this would be a series that a cable network would snap up, and Netflix has struggled to obtain rights to HBO and AMC shows. It will be very interesting to see how this does ratings wise. Netflix is implemented into everything these days so has potential.

JP Liz V1

http://www.tvsquad.com/2011/03/18/netflix-builds-house-of-cards-kevin-spacey/

Netflix made it official today: The company has ordered its first original television series.
Netflix has commissioned 26 episodes of a television series called 'House of Cards,' which will star Kevin Spacey and be executive produced by director David Fincher........................................................

Richard Dower

Casting news: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118051425.html?cmpid=RSS|News|TVNews

JP Liz V1

Constance Zimmer, Kate Mara, Robin Wright and Kristen Connolly have joined the cast

Richard Dower

More casting news: http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/netflix-castings-house-of-cards-hemlock-grove/

K-9

Skid wrote: »

I loved the BBC adaptation of the book, although it was the brilliant performance of Ian Richardson which made the show.

It'll be interesting to see how they adapt the book to US politics.

Richardson was perfectly suited to it as the male version of Maggie.

This has a slightly darker West Wing feel to it.

Richard Dower

More actors join HOC: http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/netflix-house-of-cards-david-fincher-sebastian-arcelus-kevin-spacey/

JP Liz V1

Source

David Fincher's upcoming drama House of Cards has been given a release date.

The entire 13-episode first season will be available to Netflix users from February 1, 2013 in the UK, Ireland, North America, Latin America and in the Nordic nations.

Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are among the cast of the director's political drama, which was picked up for two seasons by the online streaming service in March 2011.

Richard Dower

From the trailer, it looks quality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULwUzF1q5w4

pixelburp

Between this, Lilyhammer, the new series of Arrested Development & a few other projects, I do wonder what kind of budget Netflix must have for original programming: a while back I read rumours and scuttlebutt that the service was flagging a little, clearly not if it's got the confidence to back these kind of projects. Maybe the Euro market has restored its coffers a little.

Looks interesting, even if I'm not a huge fan of Spacey (I find him awfully deadpan & one-dimensional at times), and I've never seen the original (although I know of it through cultural osmosis) either so I guess I'll be judging it cold.

Our man in Havana

When does this start?

JP Liz V1

Our man in Havana wrote: »

When does this start?

1st of February 2013 on Netflix

Funglegunk

New Netflix original series starring Kevin Spacey as a power-hungry US congressman. Here's the synopsis from the e-mail sent around today:

Ruthless and cunning, Congressman Francis Underwood (Oscar® winner Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire (Robin Wright) stop at nothing to conquer everything. This wicked political drama penetrates the shadowy world of greed, sex and corruption in modern D.C. Kate Mara ("American Horror Story") and Corey Stoll ("Midnight in Paris") co-star in the first original series from David Fincher ("The Social Network") and Beau Willimon ("The Ides of March").

I love political drama so will definitely be watching this. All 13 episodes are available on UK and US Netflix as of today. EDIT: This is also, I believe, the first program produced in-house by Netflix. Will be interesting to see if making all episodes available instantly will work as a way to deliver a TV show. They are planning on doing the same thing with the new season of Arrested Development.

SB-08

Just watched the first episode and loved it. Spacey is perfect in the role of the cunning congressman, and I love how he talks to the viewer. It is fantastic that we get to watch the whole first season all in the one go. The only problem is discussing it on here as everyone will be at a different stage. I suppose we will just have to say which episode we are on with the discussion in spoiler tags.

Netflix could end up revolutionising the way to watch TV if they continue to outbid the likes of HBO and AMC for future TV shows (they paid a reported $100M for the two seasons of this). Can't wait to watch the rest of this. Already getting rave reviews. 5 Stars from the Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9840641/House-of-Cards-Netflix-review.html

mike65

[Inserts "it won't be as good as the BBC original" comment]

FloatingVoter

mike65 wrote: »

[Inserts "it won't be as good as the BBC original" comment]

Just watched the first two episodes. The speaking to camera format is similar but it tells its own tale well. Worth a months sub to netflix for this alone I'd reckon.

Thargor

Excellent stuff, thanks for the tip.

Ludo

How many episodes are available and what is the release schedule...one per week or what?

*edit* - just saw they are all available together now..cool..may avail of a free week subscription email i got last week.

squonk

Is it on the Irish netflix service or do I have to fly to the UK with my laptop?

donfers

saw the first two episodes, it's as good as i expected it to be, things are brewing nicely

FloatingVoter

squonk wrote: »

Is it on the Irish netflix service or do I have to fly to the UK with my laptop?

No, you can stay home. Its on the Irish one.

Dman001

Can watch the pilot without a subscription to Netflix here:

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/House_of_Cards/70178217

miralize

This is excellent. Kevin Spacey is excellent when ruthless

Missymoohaa

Just watched the first four episodes and am totally hooked. Kevin Spacey is brilliant and the plot lines are building well. If you haven't already got the free trial then get it now you could blitz these 13 episodes easily in a month.

Anybody else addicted to House of Cards yet??? brilliant acting by all cast members too.:cool:

meoklmrk91

Looking forward to getting stuck into this, god I love Netflix.

McGrath5

Watched the first 4 episodes last night, Kevin Spacey is fantastic.

And doesn't Kate Mara look stunning too!

dubmick

Watched the first two episodes last night, best tv I have seen in a long time. Excellent cast too. Will watch another two tonight.

meoklmrk91

Just watched the first two episodes there and am about to start on the third. The standard of acting, production and writing is some of the best I have seen in a very long while.

prettyboy81

Loving the show just starting 5th episode now, ill be finished this show this time 2mo. Kevin Spacey is just brilliant & the rest back him up with good performances.

Missymoohaa

I've watched 12 episodes now, very productive day , saving the last episode until tomorrow. Somebody else on twitter recommended Lillyhammer as well, did anyone else see this. (I have the US version).

shortys94

Great show, hope netflix keeps these original series coming

The Black Oil

Watched the first episode, thought it was a strong opener.

You can really see the wheels turning in Francis's head, not just when he talks to the camera. Let further planning, plotting and conniving commence. :pac:

miralize

I love the fact that each episode isn't bound by a 40 or 60 minute time limit. Each episode is as long as it needs to be.

There is something different with this series through that strikes me, usually you have your hero and villain characters and you want to see some succeed while others lose. In House of Cards you kind of want them all to get what they want. Remarkable writing, editing and of course acting.

pixelburp

I only caught the first episode; I don't like watching TV shows in a glut & en masse, more enjoyable to take it in over a slower pace. I like what I've seen though, really high quality across the board; it'll be interesting to see where Netflix goes from this, if it turns out to be a success for them

Not sure I completely understand the lower/upper houses of American government - I think I get the jist though.

Given Netflix released all episodes in one go, can we have an agreement that plot points are spoiler-texted for the sake of those who want to watch the show semi-traditionally?

Thargor

Brilliant brilliant brilliant first four eps, straight into the meat of it aswell without everything being explained and dumbed down for the thickos in the audience.

I absolutely love it when you discover a new series out of nowhere like this, only problem is it wont last a week, I cant resist

The Black Oil wrote: »

You can really see the wheels turning in Francis's head, not just when he talks to the camera. Let further planning, plotting and conniving commence. :pac:

I agree but the Southern accent is abysmal, only tiny flaw in an otherwise excellent performance.

K-9

mike65 wrote: »

[Inserts "it won't be as good as the BBC original" comment]

House of Cards was Yes Minister in Real Life.

homerun_homer

Watched 11 episodes yesterday. I've never done that with any show. Brilliant TV. Can't wait to finish it later.

awec

Really enjoying it so far, I've seen the first 3.

I am not a massive fan of Spacey talking to the audience though.

FloatingVoter

awec wrote: »

Really enjoying it so far, I've seen the first 3.

I am not a massive fan of Spacey talking to the audience though.

Its part of the House of Cards template. I would agree that Ian Richardson was better at breaking the fourth wall in the original - but he had a lifetime of stage experience behind him. I know Spacey is no stranger to the boards but he's not in the same league with the to-camera work.
Right now, I'm on Ep.10 - I'm really trying to stretch this out but it is in the Breaking Bad league of TV.

mewso

Watched it all over the weekend and it was excellent. Doesn't quite reach the same heights as the original but to be expected. If you haven't seen the original do not read the following:-

I suspected that the journalist would survive unlike the original since it was a big name in the role and was proven correct but that is fair enough and they can do more with it in series 2. The Peter Russo character followed reasonably closely to Roger O'Brien really and was the sympathetic character like O'Brien before him which worked well. The only weakness for me in the whole thing was the wife to be honest. They didn't seem to be sure what they wanted to do with her and she didn't seem as directly involved in her husbands manoeuvrings like the original. The wife suggesing Urquart sleep with the journo for example as opposed to an apparent acceptance from Robin Wright but then a probable unhappiness with the idea.

With 13 episodes they did well to only have one or two "padding" episodes that were enjoyable anyway. I'm wondering what constitutes success for this. Will it be based on how many new subscribers they get on the strength of it?

FloatingVoter

mewso wrote: »

With 13 episodes they did well to only have one or two "padding" episodes that were enjoyable anyway. I'm wondering what constitutes success for this. Will it be based on how many new subscribers they get on the strength of it?

Well, people will subscribe for a month and watch the whole thing in a few sittings - will they stay around ? They've also got DVD sales and sales to other competing networks to bargain with. See it first and when you want on Netflix, or in dribs and drabs on BBC / RTE / ABC whatever ?

killabban182

Looked at the first 2 episodes last friday thought they were very good, but everytime I went back to watch it I am only getting the trailer, not the full episodes.
Please help.

miralize

killabban182 wrote: »

Looked at the first 2 episodes last friday thought they were very good, but everytime I went back to watch it I am only getting the trailer, not the full episodes.
Please help.

Are you a member of Netflix? Only the first two episodes are free, the rest you have to have a subscription to Netflix to watch them

The Black Oil

I'm less bothered by this remake than say, the American version of the Killing because you knew they couldn't match the original (thought it is not perfect). Here, I think they've a chance to at least equal the UK version due to how some US writers can handle political stuff, though I've only seen two episodes of Spacey's version. Episode 2 did come a little easily in some respects, but the seeds for it were set in motion in 1. The fellow with the substance problem is a bit of a tool.

If this cost 100 million dollars, how are they expecting to recoup that - hardly all through new/ongoing subscriptions?

killabban182

miralize wrote: »

Are you a member of Netflix? Only the first two episodes are free, the rest you have to have a subscription to Netflix to watch them

Yes pay my monthly subscription

miralize

100 millios for 2 seasons I think. They definitely have an order of 26, and you'd be surprised... Netflix are raking in the money, from consumers and other content creators I'd say

killabban182

Ok I am getting all the episodes when I log on through the website, but only getting the trailer when I use the netflix app, confused?