Netflix has opted not to pull the plug on House of Cards in the wake of Kevin Spacey‘s abrupt termination and will instead refocus the series’ sixth and final season around Robin Wright‘s Claire Underwood. In an eerie bit of unintentional foreshadowing, Season 5 ended with Wright’s newly-installed POTUS looking into the camera and declaring, “It’s my turn.”
It’s not clear how Spacey’s Frank Underwood will be written out, but all signs point to the character suffering an off screen death.
The eight-episode farewell season will “bring closure of the show for fans,” said Netflix president Ted Sarandos said at UBS’s Global Media and Communications Conference in New York.
Last month, Netflix stopped production of House of Cards‘ sixth season and severed its relationship with Spacey after several people — including Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp — accused the Oscar winner of sexual misconduct.
“Netflix will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey,” Netflix said at the time. “We will continue to work with [producer Media Rights Capital] during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.”
Production of House of Cards season 6 was suspended in October, following sexual assault allegations against Spacey. Production will resume in early 2018.
Spacey, meanwhile, “is taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment” his rep said last month.
