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Netflix’s award-winning drama House of Cards has returned to the streaming service with new episodes. I know, I know: just what we need… more politics! President Frank Underwood’s (Kevin Spacey) campaign for re-election, however, is a circus you don’t want to miss. Not this season.
After a bag of mixed reviews during it’s third, snooze fest of a season, House of Cards knows exactly what it is in Season Four: soapy, over-the-top, violent, and perhaps most interestingly, packed with new, sleuths. The Netflix Original series has welcomed a handful of dangerous new characters — played by vets Ellen Burstyn, Cicely Tyson, Neve Campbell, and more — into its gritty fold and some of them have already had quite an impact on the diabolical Underwoods. If you need a refresher on the First Family, check out our handy catch-up guide and as well as our theories on what the meandering series needs to address this time around. After you’re all caught up on the political soap opera, however, it’s time to get to know our new favorite residents of Washington D.C. in all their evil, conniving glory.
WHAT'S HIS DEAL?: OK, OK: we know Lucas isn't a new character per se, but since his arrest and imprisonment in Season Two, we haven't seen Zoe Barnes' former lover in quite some time. Lucas, however, is the first face we see in the Season Four opener and he's bartering a way to get out of the clink and tell someone about Underwood's murderous past.Photo: Netflix
WHAT'S HER DEAL?: At the start of Season Four, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) has run away to her childhood home in Texas to get away from her husband during the primaries. She's hired LeAnn Harvey, a decorated campaign consultant to help her formulate a plan to secure a seat in a congressional race for her home district. Harvey, however, has much bigger ideas for her new client.Photo: Netflix
WHAT'S HER DEAL?: Undoubtedly the greatest addition to the series, Burstyn plays Claire's no-nonsense matriarch who's not only fighting lymphoma, but also her son-in-law for turning on her daughter. Photo: Netflix
WHAT'S HER DEAL?: The veteran actress enters the series as aging Congresswoman Jones, a respected leader of her community who plans to pass her torch on to her daughter, Celia. While Claire claims to be visiting her cancer-ridden mother for personal reasons, she's also trying to figure out a way to keep up with the Joneses and bump Celia from the race in order to secure the 30th district.Photo: Netflix
WHAT'S HIS DEAL?: Remember that guy who hated Frank so much, he created that whole Peachoid scandal? That's Oren Chase and he's getting a reinvigorated moment in the spotlight. Hired by Claire and LeAnn, Chase has been tasked with drudging up a different scandal about his much maligned rival, but this time, it could cost Frank his home state of South Carolina in the primaries.Photo: Netflix
WHAT'S HER DEAL?: Frank Underwood's opponent, Heather Dunbar, is pulling out all the stops against her rival, but not without help. Dunbar has hired Cynthia Driscoll as her right-hand woman and it's Driscoll who brings a recently released Lucas Goodwin to her feet. And boy, does he have a lot to say.Photo: Netflix
WHAT'S HER DEAL?: Dickens appeared briefly last season as Kate Baldwin, a White House correspondent for the Wall Street Telegraph who had a fling with Underwood biographer, Thomas Yates. Baldwin is back this season, however, but with a new agenda regarding the relationship between Underwood and his wife.Photo: Netflix
WHAT'S HIS DEAL?: Character actor Kinnaman is suited up as strapping young GOP candidate Will Conway. The amiable politician causes waves in Underwood's circle when he starts gaining major momentum in the polls.Photo: Netflix
