For TV fans, the summer months provide more than just warm temperatures and a sun tan. Because many of TV's most popular shows air annually in the summer, including Netflix's pride and joy political drama, House of Cards. But with America still clashing from the real life Presidential Election and administration change, some critics worry that the show won't be as enjoyable, considering the amount of political information that is already being consumed on a daily basis. But House of Cards star Neve Campbell doesn't seem to think it will hold the series back.
I had the opportunity to speak with Neve Campbell and Michael Kelly while at Netflix's recent press junket in New York City. When Neve Campbell, who will reprise her role as LeAnn in House of Cards, was asked if audience engagement might be lower due to the current political climate, she said:
I don't think it's going to affect whether the fans of the show are going to want to tune in. I haven't met a fan that said 'I don't think I'm going to bother this year.' If anything, it'll be a nice escape. Because it's not real. Because there aren't going to be consequences to the darkness in this show. Mike (Kelly) was saying earlier, you can sit down, you can have a glass of wine, you can relax, and you can watch some of this. You can love to hate these characters, but nothing bad's going to happen when you turn the TV off.
Neve Campbell makes a pretty great point here. With so much very real, and therefore very serious, political news currently in the daily lexicon of the world, being able to see a wholly fictional version of American politics may be the escape that we all need.
Because while conversations about politics seem never ending,House of Cards is extremely fictionalized. Frank Underwood managed to become President of the United States without ever having to run or even be elected VP. Instead, his sabotage for the President Walker administration allowed the Whip to ascent the ranks of government without the consent of the American people. Obviously this type of coup would never fly in the real world, so the very basis for the series separates it from reality.
And things certainly seem to be continuing to heat up for the Underwoods in the upcoming fifth season. When we last saw Frank and Claire, they were using domestic terrorism in an attempt to sway the American people, and win their seemingly ill fated Presidential campaign (she's running as his VP, another move that would never fly in the real world). They're going to have to pull some seriously shady moves to win the Presidency, as well as dodge the arrows coming at them from Zoe and Lucas' boss Tom Hammerschmidt is throwing at them, thanks to help from Remy and Jackie Sharp.
House of Cards Season 5 will be released in its entirety on May 30th over at Netflix. Be sure to check out our full summer 2017 premiere list and plan your next binge watch.
