The original creator of the UK series “House of Cards,” Michael Dobbs, is “devastated” by the cancellation of the U.S. series and “heartbroken” over yesterday’s announcement that the Netflix political drama is wrapping after its upcoming sixth season next year.
The cancellation news comes on the heels of allegation posed against Kevin Spacey by actor Anthony Rapp, who says the “House of Cards” star made unwelcome sexual advances on him when he was 14 years old.
“I am devastated almost beyond words,” Dobbs said in a statement to TheWrap. “I created a ‘House of Cards’ thirty years ago and up to this point it has been an exhilarating and totally joyous journey. Media Rights Capital and Netflix have always set the highest standards in their work and I want to thank them unreservedly. It has been an honour to have worked with them and so many of the cast, writers and production crew. But right now I’m heartbroken.”
The British writer’s original UK series follows Francis Urquhart, a fictional member of the Conservative Party. The series aired in four parts on the BBC in 1990. Media Rights Capital and Netflix remade the show for U.S. audiences in 2013. It has since garnered several Emmy nominations, including five for Best Drama Series and five for Spacey for Best Actor in a Drama.
Today, production on “House of Cards” Season 6 was suspended by Netflix and Media Rights Capital “until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew.” The season had already begun shooting in the Washington, D.C. area.