Wright directs finale
Showrunners say it ‘felt right’ to let star close Cards
The creative heads behind TORONTO House of Cards say there was a catharsis on set when the political thriller shot its final episode.
Season 6 is now on Netflix and marks the end for the show after Kevin Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct and fired last fall.
Spacey played U.S. President Francis Underwood, who in season 5 resigned and handed over his position to his wife and vicepresident Claire, played by Robin Wright. In the new and final season, Francis is dead and Claire is leading the country.
The Golden Globe-winning Wright is also an executive producer on season 6 and directed the series finale, which just “felt right,” say co-showrunners Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pugliese.
“That felt really important for all of us, cast and crew, everyone who worked on the show,” said Gibson. “We went through it together and it was very cathartic. We all enjoyed working with each other so much, and the bonds are so deep.
“It felt like we’d really gone through something meaningful together.”
House of Cards was Netflix’s first original series and has won two Golden Globes and several Emmys.
Season 6 sees Claire grappling with the loss of her husband, the scandals of the past and misogyny from her administration and the U.S. public. Facing death threats from those who don’t want a woman president, she struggles for autonomy as aides question her decisions and billionaire siblings Annette and Bill Shepherd (Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear) put political pressure on her.
“It was really important to us, this season in particular, to reveal Claire Underwood to be as every bit a complex anti-hero that Francis had been for the prior five seasons and establish a ruthlessness equity — that she is this empowered, complex, flawed, fascinating character,” Gibson said.
Gibson and Pugliese said when production was halted on the show after the allegations against Spacey, they had already written 11 episodes for season 6 and had to immediately start exploring the possibility of doing the show without him.
“That was a lot to digest and a reset,” said Gibson.
His eventual firing didn’t affect the storyline too drastically, since the show was already set to conclude after season 6 and shift the focus on Claire.
“I think the actors, crew and everyone involved felt that the best response would be to finish the series, finish the story, tell it with integrity as a response,” said Pugliese.
“We knew going in no matter what season 6 was, that it would be a season of reckoning. Part of that reckoning was for Claire and these characters to reckon with their complicity with each other and the partnership in the marriage and (with) the audience.”
The new season has a noir vibe and speaks to timely themes surrounding the #MeToo movement, as Claire faces sexism and recalls harrowing experiences as a child.
Gibson and Pugliese said they weren’t responding to headlines or the Spacey scandal, noting the story was already having Claire face herself and explore who she is outside of her marriage.