The House of Cards

1990 • BBC

4.4

7 reviews

Eligible

Season 1 episodes (4)

1 House of Cards - Episode 1

11/18/90

Urquhart is the perfect politician. Impeccably diplomatic, charming, admired, trusted and respected by all. But events are about to spark his ambition. When he is passed over for promotion by a new party leader, he hatches a dastardly plot to wreak revenge on each and every one of his colleagues.

2 House of Cards - Episode 2

11/25/90

Urquhart is furious when the new Prime Minister tells him that he is far too valuable in his current post to be offered a ministerial position. Hiding his contempt of the man behind his usual urbane smile, Urquhart believes the new PM will not last long, and perhaps something can be arranged to hasten his departure?

3 House of Cards - Episode 3

12/2/90

As scandals and leaked stories gain momentum, Collingridge finds himself in deep political trouble, and he has no alternative but to step down as Prime Minister. The only man whom he feels he can still trust is Urquhart. Meanwhile, political journalist Mattie Storin begins to suspect that Collingridge has been framed. But who is the culprit?

4 House of Cards - Episode 4

12/9/90

Urquhart's ruthless scheming is working. As the leadership election looms, all his leading rivals have been discredited. But even though the obstacles in his way have been erased, there is still no guarantee of his winning. Meanwhile, the truth is beginning to dawn on Mattie. As for Urquhart, he has too much to lose to let sentiment stand in his way.

About this show

Ian Richardson is Machiavellian monster Francis Urquhart up to his cold-fish eyes in a dirty political pond of back-stabbing, skulduggery and corruption in high places. Like Olivier's Richard III, he confides to the viewer his plot to eliminate his rivals, determined to get to the top, and, once there, stay there, no matter who gets hurt in the process. His victims include two beautiful mistresses and even the King. This satirical trilogy won numerous awards, and was brilliantly adapted by Andrew Davies from Michael Dobbs' novels.

Ratings and reviews

4.4

7 reviews

A Google user

December 21, 2014

Ian Richardson is deliciously despicable as Francis Urquhart; one of the finest portrayals of a villain that I've seen.

Old Boy

May 7, 2022

The best, original version. SUCH awesome writing and cast.

A Google user

December 16, 2015

The original and the best thanks to great British acting

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