<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> www.netflix.com/houseofcards </Td> </Tr> <P> House of Cards is an American political thriller web television series created by Beau Willimon . It is an adaptation of the BBC's miniseries of the same name and is based on the novel by Michael Dobbs . The thirteen - episode first season premiered on February 1, 2013, on the streaming service Netflix . Thirteen - episode seasons followed on February 14, 2014; February 27, 2015; March 4, 2016; and May 30, 2017 . </P> <P> Set in 2010s Washington, D.C., House of Cards is the story of Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a Democrat from South Carolina's 5th congressional district and House Majority Whip . After being passed over for appointment as Secretary of State, he initiates an elaborate plan to get himself into a position of greater power, aided by his wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright). The series deals primarily with themes of ruthless pragmatism, manipulation, and power . </P> <P> House of Cards has received positive reviews and several award nominations . To date, it has received 33 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Spacey, and Outstanding Lead Actress for Wright, for each of its first five seasons . It is the first original online - only web television series to receive major Emmy nominations . The show also earned eight Golden Globe Award nominations, with Wright winning for Best Actress--Television Series Drama in 2014 and Spacey winning for Best Actor--Television Series Drama in 2015 . </P>

What is the show house of cards about