‘House of Cards’ Season 6: How Did Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood Die?

The new season of House of Cards is going to feel different from earlier seasons. After star Kevin Spacey was accused of multiple sexual assaults, Netflix halted production on the series and let the actor go. Co-star Robin Wright intervened to secure a sixth and final season — one that would focus on her character Claire Underwood’s time as President of the United States. An early trailer confirmed that Spacey’s character Frank Underwood would be killed off.

Which begs the question…exactly how will Frank Underwood be killed off? Would the showrunners handle it offscreen? Would it be a natural death? Or a violent comeuppance? Since the review embargo on House of Cards‘ sixth season has finally lifted, we can finally share some spoiler-y answers.

How Does Frank Underwood Die on House of Cards?

That’s the big question, right? When the sixth season opens, Frank is already dead. It is noted that he died in his sleep next to Claire, however, there’s a twist…

Since Claire and Frank actually had different bedrooms, he died in his bed. She was in her room at the time of death. Many characters suggest that Claire had Frank killed, while Claire tells the audience in her to-camera monologues that she believes Frank was killed by powerful people who wanted him out of their way. The implication is the killers were one or all of the Shepherds, a powerful family that influences politics from behind-the-scenes. However, this could also be untrue as Claire may be an unreliable narrator.

In fact, Frank’s death is one of the key mysteries that propels the whole season. Who is really in control? And to what lengths will people go to secure that power?

Who Are The Shepherds on House of Cards?

House of Cards Season 6 introduces a trio of political power players known as the Shepherds. Greg Kinnear plays Bill Shepherd, Diane Lane is his sister Annette, and Cody Fern is Annette’s son Duncan. The Shepherds are puppet master superdonors in the mold of the Mercer family. It turns out that Annette and Claire are also old high school friends.

Does Frank Underwood Appear in House of Cards Season 6?

Frank Underwood does not physically appear in the House of Cards Season 6 episodes we sampled. That said, his presence lingers over the story like a ghost. He’s brought up a bunch and his spirit almost seems to haunt Claire in earlier scenes.

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