House of Cards
He had Number 10 Downing Street in his hand!
Created by Andrew Davies
On BBC One
A taut, darkly witty British political thriller built on a single protagonist's calculated manipulation, delivered with direct address and sustained suspense across four episodes.
Frustrated at a new moderate Conservative government and deprived of a promotion to a senior position, chief whip Francis Urquhart prepares a meticulous plot to bring down the Prime Minister then to take his place.
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is House of Cards one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 94% of series.
Does House of Cards leave you hopeful? Barely. Less hopeful than 81% of series.
Is House of Cards easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 75% of series.
Is House of Cards violent? Not especially. Less violent than 70% of series.
Is House of Cards scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
Is House of Cards sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Shows That Know They EndFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Distinctly its own thing.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like House of Cards, and what each one shares →
Like House of Cards
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as House of Cards
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like House of Cards, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like House of Cards, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like House of Cards, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
