House of Cards (2013)
Kernel Score: 88% · 3,079 ratings
Genres: Drama
First aired: 2013-02-01
Seasons: 6 · 73 episodes
Is House of Cards worth watching?
Worth watching. A ruthless politician and his equally ruthless wife claw their way through Washington. The first seasons are sleek, nasty and well acted by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, though the story loses its grip later.
Watch it if you
- like cynical political drama
- enjoy morally rotten lead characters
Skip it if you
- want realistic politics
- dislike stories that run out of steam
Best for: Binge weekend
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch House of Cards
- Stream: Netflix
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Set in present day Washington, D.C., House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood, a ruthless and cunning politician, and his wife Claire who will stop at nothing to conquer everything. This wicked political drama penetrates the shadowy world of greed, sex and corruption in modern D.C.
House of Cards parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this political drama follows a ruthless politician's rise through corruption, manipulation, and betrayal.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Political revenge and manipulation include violent acts as part of the ruthless power struggle.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Reviews and keywords note the show's world includes 'sex and corruption' in modern D.C. politics.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-MA rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Shows like House of Cards
If you liked House of Cards, these are the shows we'd watch next.
- The West Wing (1999) — 90%: Washington drama with a very different, more idealistic view
- The Night Manager (2016) — 87%: Slick thriller about deception and power
- The Day of the Jackal (2024) — 92%: Cool, tense thriller about a methodical killer
- The Sopranos (1999) — 98%: Landmark drama about a powerful man's double life
- 24 (2001) — 88%: Fast, political thriller made for bingeing
- The Night Agent (2023) — 86%: Fast thriller about a conspiracy in government
Cast
- Robin Wright as Claire Underwood
- Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper
- Constance Zimmer as Janine Skorsky
- Patricia Clarkson as Jane Davis
- Derek Cecil as Seth Grayson
- Boris McGiver as Tom Hammerschmidt
- Lars Mikkelsen as Viktor Petrov
- Cody Fern as Duncan Shepherd
- Diane Lane as Annette Shepherd
- Greg Kinnear as Bill Shepherd
House of Cards FAQ
Is House of Cards worth watching?
Worth watching. A ruthless politician and his equally ruthless wife claw their way through Washington. The first seasons are sleek, nasty and well acted by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, though the story loses its grip later.
Where can I watch House of Cards?
In the US you can stream House of Cards on Netflix and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.
Is House of Cards OK for kids?
House of Cards is rated TV-MA. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this political drama follows a ruthless politician's rise through corruption, manipulation, and betrayal.
What shows are like House of Cards?
If you liked House of Cards, try The West Wing, The Night Manager, The Day of the Jackal and The Sopranos.