James R | On 31, Oct 2017

Netflix is reportedly working on a possible spin-off from House of Cards, as the political drama enters its final season.

The show, which is based on the British political thriller of the same name, stars Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood. The first Netflix original series to be released, it has become a flagship drama for the streaming giant, kicking off its disruptive and influential move into original content. Yesterday, though, the VOD service revealed that its upcoming sixth season would be its last.

The announcement was made just as Spacey was accused of sexually harassing fellow actor Anthony Rapp, when Rapp was 14 years old. Netflix and Media Rights Capital said they were “deeply troubled” about the allegation, adding that executives from both of companies were meeting the cast and crew in Baltimore to ensure that they feel safe and supported. (Spacey is not working on set at this time.)

There has been speculation about whether the show might write out Frank Underwood, leaving Robin Wright’s Claire Underwood to lead the sixth season and keeping Spacey out of the picture. Whether or not that comes to pass, Netflix is already thinking about moving on to a Spacey-free future of the show, with sources telling Variety that there are “multiple ideas” for a spin-off series.

The most natural and promising option would be a series revolving around Doug Stamper, Michael Kelly’s cunning political aide-de-camp. This is the idea that has apparently advanced the most, with Eric Roth already attached to write, after serving as an an executive producer on the first four seasons of House of Cards.

These are all in the “very early stage of development”, though, with Variety noting there are at least two other possibilities being explored. Writers have not yet been attached to them all, but any series would take place in the same universe as Frank Underwood. Spokespersons for Netflix and MRC have not commented on the report.

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