House of Cards spin-off possible without Frank Underwood, says creator
Would a ‘House of Cards’ spin-off without Frank really work? According to its creator, Michael Dobbs, it would. So of course we decided to rustle up a shortlist for for who could carry the responsibility.
***Warning: Season one to four spoilers ahead***
Original novelist and the Netflix shows exec producer Dobbs claims that the series can continue without Kevin Spacey’s mesmeric character, which feels like a tall order because Kevin Spacey is such a powerhouse of an actor.
According to an interview in the Express, Dobbs reckons it’s doable, and notes other successes that’ve recently managed the smooth transition. When asked about whether ‘House of Cards’ could thrive without Underwood, he seemed confident it could.
“That is a very interesting question and one that we are putting our minds to actively because every show comes to a natural end. Look what they’ve done with Breaking Bad, look what they’ve done with 24.”
But I’m struggling to see how it could because Frank is such a quintessential part of the show and centre of the narrative that drives forward due to him. It would feel weird, but I presumed the same when ‘Breaking Bad’ spin-off ‘Better Call Saul’ launched and loved it from the beginning.
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Scepticism aside, there are some very intriguing and watchable characters that exist within the ‘House of Cards’ world that could, with some work obviously, end up prospering on their own.
Remy Danton - The cool, collected and rather suave Remy is by all accounts a mesmerising character. The antithesis of cool, the way he presents and articulates himself is inspiring. The way actor Mahershala Ali play him with such conviction and authority is fantastic. I, for one, would relish seeing his day-to-day antics, not to mention delving into his love life such as the affair he has with Jackie Sharp could make for some interesting drama, as we learn more bout the man behind the intelligent, yet cold exterior.
Claire Underwood - An obvious and no doubt popular choice, and the most likely should she actually run for and become POTUS. She’s already threatened to divorce Frank in season three, so there’s no reason why she couldn’t split from him - even if that would dent any Presidential campaign or political career she’d want to pursue. Claire is as significant as husband Frank, so seeing her rule the roost in the White House would be amazing. Plus Robin Wright is incredible as the First Lady, so seeing her take a leap to President or go it alone would be great to see.
Doug Stamper - Something of an unknown quantity is our Doug, after erratic, compulsive, and addictive tendencies throughout the past couple of seasons; the one thing we know about him is he’s unquestionably loyal to Frank. But what would it take for his perception to change? And how would he function without Frank in his life? Michael Kelly’s one of America’s most underrated actors even if a series focusing on Doug would be rather depressing and self-destructive.
Freddy Hayes - It’s a shame he’s now left the show, having told Frank to, in no uncertain terms, that he’s a motherf****r, and did so right to his face. The man’s not only got balls, but he’s got conviction too, and is one of the very few characters in ‘House of Cards’ that have no political power or motivation. The former BBQ shack-owning Freddy has a colourful past, as we learn when his criminal son shows up, and would be worthy of exploration as a drama set away from Washington D.C.
Edward Meechum - Part-time lover to Frank and Claire and loyal-to-the-end Secret Serviceman, Meechum is the nearest character to being on the inside (no pun intended) as can be, with insight into what goes on behind the closed doors of the POTUS and his First Lady. Could he hold a series on his own and would it be set before he become Frank’s main security detail?
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Who do you think a spin-off should focus on? And would it thrive without Frank in the fray? Share your thoughts in the comments…
Mike P Williams is a freelance TV, film and entertainment writer, with an obsession for all things Game of Thrones, Jurassic Park and Pixar. Over the years he’s written for the likes of MTV, Total Film, BuzzFeed, and Yahoo Movies UK.
Picture credit: Netflix
