‘House of Cards’ Spinoffs in the Works at Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)
Netflix is moving ahead with plans for a “House of Cards” spinoff.
Variety has learned that the streaming service and producer Media Rights Capital are in very early stages of development on multiple ideas for a potential spinoff. One concept revolves around Doug Stamper, the political aide-de-camp played by actor Michael Kelly in the first five seasons of the political drama, with Eric Roth set to write. Roth served as an executive producer on the first four seasons of “House of Cards” and is currently exec producing TNT’s “The Alienist.”
At least two other spinoff ideas are also being explored, though writers have not yet been attached to all of them. All the potential series take place in the same universe as “House of Cards,” a political thriller about Frank Underwood, a devious congressman played by Kevin Spacey who ascends to the role of President of the United States through political and criminal machinations.
A spokesperson for Netflix declined to comment.
Plans for the spinoff have not been impeded by the uncertainty around the sixth season of “House of Cards” that surfaced Sunday with allegations against Spacey of sexual assault. Netflix on Monday confirmed that “House of Cards” will end after the upcoming sixth season, currently in production in Baltimore. In a statement, the streaming service and MRC also said that they had sent executives to Baltimore Monday to meet with cast and crew after actor Anthony Rapp told Buzzfeed in an interview that Spacey had sexually assaulted him when Rapp was 14 years old.
Spacey is currently not on set for “House of Cards.” Sources close to the production say that season six had been intended as the final installment of the show.
“House of Cards” is widely credited as the show that put Netflix on the original programming map when it premiered in 2013. The series has been nominated for 53 Primetime Emmy Awards — including five nominations for outstanding drama series.
By putting multiple potential spinoffs in development, Netflix is following the same path pursued by HBO with “Game of Thrones,” as the premium service has assigned multiple writers to develop various takes on prequels set within the fantasy universe created by George R.R. Martin and in which “Game of Thrones” is set.
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