The fourth season is only just about to start on Netflix in March, but the streaming service is staying in business with morally dubious President Frank Underwood (AKA Kevin Spacey) for another year, renewing House Of Cards for a fifth run of episodes.
But in a twist that is probably too mundane for Cards' melodrama-loving plot lines, it'll have to manage without creator and show runner Beau Willimon, who has decided to take his leave of Frank for the first time since we first met the man in 2013. “I’m grateful to Netflix and MRC, my fellow executive producers, our two incandescent stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, our talented writers, as well as the incredible cast and crew with whom I’ve had the privilege to work,” he says in a statement. “After five years and four seasons, it’s time for me to move on to new endeavors, but I’m supremely proud of what we’ve built together, wish the show much continued success, and leave it in the hands of a very capable team.” Of course, he knows all of the Underwood's secrets, so don't be surprised if he meets with some mishap before making it to a new job...
Though there were rumours that this season could be the last given Spacey and production partner Dana Brunetti taking on the job running Relativity Media, it appears he's happy to keep scheming as Underwood for a while yet. Season four hits Netflix on March 4.