Season Three Presidential Race

Lore & Background

The true horror of this season lies in the brutal primary battle against Heather Dunbar, a former Solicitor General who exposes Frank's corrupt past. Frank's campaign is a desperate scramble to hold onto power, using every dirty trick at his disposal—from blackmail to manipulating the media—to survive. The season ends not with a triumphant election victory, but with Frank losing the Iowa caucus and being forced to withdraw from the race, only to win the general election in a shocking off-screen twist that sets up Season 4.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the streets of Washington, mirroring the cold calculation in Frank's eyes as he watched the convention screens. The roar of the crowd was deafening, a chorus of adulation for a man who had just buried his competition alive. He adjusted his tie, feeling the weight of the future settling on his shoulders. 'They think they are voting for change,' he whispered to himself, the echo of his own voice lost in the thunderous applause. 'But they are merely voting for me.'

Reader's Guide

The arc begins with Frank maneuvering through a crowded Democratic field, using his position as Secretary of State to undermine competitors while maintaining a facade of statesmanship. The central conflict emerges when a rival candidate threatens to expose Frank's past manipulations, forcing him to escalate from political sabotage to physical elimination. A major turning point occurs during the national convention, where Frank orchestrates a tragic event that discredits his primary opposition, effectively clearing the path for his nomination. This act cements his reputation as a man who will stop at nothing, rallying his base through fear and manufactured outrage rather than genuine policy platforms. The final phase sees the general election campaign, which is less about persuasion and more about damage control against a Republican challenger. Frank's victory is secured not by winning hearts, but by ensuring no one else can stand in his way, marking the Underwoods' total dominance over the American political landscape.

Did You Know?

• Frank Underwood is the first person to hold the offices of Majority Whip, Vice President, and President within a single continuous career arc—he never served as Speaker of the House or Secretary of State.
• The campaign strategy in Season 3 does not rely on a 'Russo Scandal'; Peter Russo died in Season 1, and his death is used as leverage in earlier seasons, not as a manufactured crisis in the presidential race.
• Claire Underwood's role expands significantly during this season, transitioning from a supportive spouse to an active strategist who manages the family's political image and later seeks her own political ambitions.

Production Timeline and Logistics

The third season of House of Cards was officially commissioned by Netflix on February 4, 2014, with principal photography commencing approximately June 12 and concluding on December 20, 2014. The production team maintained a strong presence in the Baltimore metropolitan area for filming, continuing their use of The Baltimore Sun offices as the fictional Washington Herald. Filming locations expanded to include Havre de Grace and Aberdeen in Maryland, alongside significant shoots at DAR Constitution Hall, George Washington University, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. A notable logistical challenge occurred on August 9 when a fictional motorcade scene necessitated road closures along Pennsylvania, Constitution, and Independence Avenues at the National Mall. The season finale required travel to Northern New Mexico for scenes around Santa Fe and Las Vegas. Despite these extensive efforts, a technical glitch on February 11, 2015, accidentally made ten episodes available to viewers for roughly 25 minutes before being removed, just weeks prior to the full release on February 27, 2015.

Regulatory and Financial Challenges

The production faced significant friction regarding state tax incentives in Maryland. While Netflix had secured $26 million in benefits for the first two seasons, Governor Martin O'Malley initially offered only a $4-million incentive for the third season. This discrepancy led to threats from the production company, Media Rights Capital, to relocate filming if sufficient funding was not guaranteed. The situation escalated when the Maryland House of Delegates threatened to use eminent domain to seize production assets already benefiting from tens of millions in prior tax credits. Although the April 7 state budget left a $3.5-million shortfall for the show, a resolution was reached on April 25. This deal allowed producers to access an unallocated $11.5-million filming credit from the previous fiscal year's budget, effectively securing the season's return to Maryland despite earlier predictions of delays or relocation.

International Filming Obstacles and Casting

Filming efforts encountered diplomatic hurdles when Russia denied the production access to the Security Council chamber at United Nations Headquarters in July 2014. Despite encouragement from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Russian representative Mikael Agasandyan blocked access, citing propriety concerns regarding the room's availability for official use. Casting for the season began with calls posted in May and June 2014 for various roles including senators and military officers. The cast featured high-profile additions such as Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, alongside recurring roles filled by Kim Dickens and Jenna Stern. Tragically, Elizabeth Norment, who portrayed Frank Underwood's secretary Nancy Kaufberger, passed away on October 13, 2014, during the production period. The ensemble also included international actors like Lars Mikkelsen as Russian President Viktor Petrov and Alexander Sokovikov as Ambassador Alexi Moryakov.

Critical Acclaim and Awards Recognition

The season garnered substantial critical praise, resulting in numerous award nominations that highlighted the performances of its lead actors. Kevin Spacey was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series at the 22nd SAG Awards for his portrayal of President Frank Underwood. This recognition underscored the depth of his performance as the character navigated the complexities of the presidency. Additionally, Reg E. Cathey received significant acclaim for his guest appearance as Freddy Hayes, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the 67th Creative Arts Emmy Awards. These accolades served to validate the artistic merit of the season, distinguishing it within the landscape of television drama and cementing the show's reputation for delivering powerful character studies amidst its political intrigue.