The casting in this show is phenomenal. The lead role of Francis Underwood played by Kevin Spacey is obviously excellent, as anyone would expect of an actor with a track record like Spacey’s. The supporting cast is all equally strong though. Kate Mara as the journalist Zoe is outstanding, making the character someone you, like everyone in her life, underestimate, but then surprises you with some really big moments. Corey Stoll, who I only really know as Ernest Hemingway in Midnight in Paris but has built a pretty impressive résumé on stage and screen, is absolutely terrific as Congressman Pete Russo, possibly my favorite performance.
Another fabulous actor who has only really done small character work previously is Michael Kelly, playing a behind the scenes staffer to Underwood which aligns nicely with the actor’s actual professional career. And then there’s Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, wife of Francis, disappearing into the role as she’s been doing rather often lately. It’s an ensemble that lives up to the somewhat demanding but meaty material of the show, able to keep you on your toes and bring this Washington setting to life, even if it’s not meant to be entirely realistic.
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