How to watch

House of Cards Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch House of Cards in order, including the original UK series and the US remake

Last updated: July 12 2026

Written by: ChronoBob

House of Cards is a gripping political thriller about ruthless ambition in the halls of power. With a classic BBC original and the acclaimed Netflix US remake starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, here's how to watch both versions.

House of Cards began as a 1990 BBC miniseries based on Michael Dobbs' novel, following the cunning Conservative politician Francis Urquhart (played by Ian Richardson) as he schemes and manipulates his way to the top of British politics. Netflix famously adapted it for American audiences in 2013 with Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) as a ruthless South Carolina congressman clawing his way toward the presidency. Both versions are critically praised for their sharp writing and iconic fourth-wall-breaking monologues. Though the Netflix version was significantly impacted by the Spacey controversy in Season 6, the series remains one of streaming's landmark dramas.

🕐 Release Order

In release order, you would watch the original BBC trilogy first, then the complete Netflix US series — each version is entirely standalone.

  1. House of Cards (UK, 1990) — 4 episodes
  2. To Play the King (UK, 1993) — 4 episodes
  3. The Final Cut (UK, 1995) — 4 episodes
  4. House of Cards Season 1 (US, Netflix, 2013)
  5. House of Cards Season 2 (US, 2014)
  6. House of Cards Season 3 (US, 2015)
  7. House of Cards Season 4 (US, 2016)
  8. House of Cards Season 5 (US, 2017)
  9. House of Cards Season 6 (US, 2018)

The two versions share the same premise and title but tell entirely different stories in different countries. Watching one doesn't spoil the other, though fans often enjoy comparing the two takes on the same source material.

📖 Story Chronology

Since the UK and US series are parallel adaptations rather than connected sequels, chronological order follows the same structure as release order within each respective storyline.

  1. House of Cards (UK, 1990) — Francis Urquhart rises to power
  2. To Play the King (UK, 1993) — Urquhart vs. the Monarch
  3. The Final Cut (UK, 1995) — Urquhart's endgame
  4. House of Cards Seasons 1–6 (US, 2013–2018) — Frank and Claire Underwood's rise and fall

Which Order Should You Choose?

Most viewers will want to start with the US Netflix series — it's more accessible, longer, and boasts production values that match modern prestige TV. Seasons 1–4 are exceptional political drama. Season 5 is decent, and Season 6 was produced without Kevin Spacey after he was accused of sexual misconduct, making it feel incomplete. If you love the US version, the 1990 UK original is a rewarding companion piece, featuring one of television's most chilling political performances from Ian Richardson. Watch them as two separate stories rather than one continuous saga.

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Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!