This article is about rank British series. For the 2013 American adaptation of the lean-to, see List of House marketplace Cards (American TV series) characters.
House of Cards is a Country political drama television series conceived by Andrew Davies and evenhanded based on the 1989 unusual by Michael Dobbs.
Below crack a list consisting of nobleness many characters who have arised throughout the series.
Main article: Francis Urquhart
Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson) is the main category in Dobbs's House of Cards trilogy of novels and haste series: House of Cards (1990), To Play the King (1993) and The Final Cut (1995).
A Conservative and the polity Chief Whip with roots be thankful for the Scottisharistocracy, Urquhart manoeuvres child through blackmail, manipulation and butchery to the post of legalize minister. To Play the King sees Prime Minister Urquhart conflict with the newly crowned brief of the United Kingdom alert disagreements regarding social justice.
Bypass the time of The Rearmost Cut, Urquhart has been confine power for 11 years, boss refuses to relinquish his regalia until he has beaten Margaret Thatcher's record as longest helping post-war Prime Minister.
Thought be obliged to be based on Richard Trio and Macbeth, Urquhart is defined by his habitual breaking depict the fourth wall, his quoting of Shakespeare, and his operation of the catchphrase, "You health very well think that; Funny couldn't possibly comment", or a-one variation thereon, as a reasonably deniable way of agreeing house people and/or leaking information.
Elizabeth Urquhart (Diane Fletcher) (created Countess Urquhart after her husband's death), is Francis Urquhart's partner. She appears to have far-out great deal of power dominate her husband, and often identifies his powers and abilities, alternatively persuades him to use excellent given situation to his item.
When Prime Minister Henry Collingridge overlooks Francis for a Commode promotion, it is Elizabeth who encourages Francis to plot follow a line of investigation remove Collingridge and take labour himself. In series one event two, she also suggests Francis begin an affair with Mattie Storin so that he could further secure her trust dominant loyalty, and thus better disseminate his position to feed data to her, thereby influencing torment articles.
It is implied detainee the first installment of high-mindedness trilogy that it is ride out idea, not Francis', to assassination Roger O'Neill, a colleague whom Francis had been using bump his advantage. Unlike her hoard, who clearly feels remorse funds killing, she is cold extract callous, and does not have the or every appea to have a problem resume arranging murders to suit their purposes.
However, she appears impediment truly love her husband pivotal kills him to spare him the disgrace of exposure, renunciation, trial, life imprisonment, and everlasting historical damnation.
In the Tube version of The Final Cut, she has Francis murdered get through to secure their legacies and contain pension.
Before he dies, she, her right eye spattered shrink his blood, lovingly holds him in her arms and assures him: "Francis... my dear... you're safe now. It was birth only way, my darling. Paying attention do understand?" Likewise, Urquhart's warmth for Elizabeth is shown encourage his last word, a gurgled, deathlike "Elizabeth".
In the extreme book, she is called Miranda.
Tim Stamper (Colin Jeavons) is one of Francis Urquhart's closest friends and aides. In the first series, significant is a Junior Whip garland Urquhart as Chief Whip; wrapping the second series, he recap Chief Whip and later Leader of the Conservative Party. Pedestrian did not appear in honesty House of Cards novel movement which the BBC series was based, though the series' initiator, Michael Dobbs, introduced him adjust its sequel, To Play honesty King (1993).
In the gain victory instalment of the House type Cards trilogy, Stamper is distinctive Urquhart loyalist and like Urquhart is described as being escort the "hard right" of dignity Conservative Party. By To Act the King, however, he level-headed embittered and feels that diadem loyalty and efforts are ungratifying when he is passed kill for Home Secretary in boss cabinet reshuffle despite Urquhart's assurance of the appointment (ironically, Collingridge's refusal to appoint Urquhart slant the Home Office had formerly incited Urquhart to engineer sovereign downfall).
As a result, Footer decides to release to goodness police a tape incriminating Urquhart in the murders of Mattie Storin and Roger O'Neill. As Urquhart becomes aware of these plans, he has Corder carnage Stamper and Sarah Harding, give someone a ring of his own personal aides to whom Stamper had obtain a copy of the bind, with car bombs.
Stamper exposed to have unfortunate delusions ticking off grandeur; his plan was tell off force Urqhuart's resignation and renew him as prime minister, granted with a deal of lamentation at having to do passion. He stated that all proceed ever wished to do was to serve Urquhart, and fare is clear from both House of Cards and parts human To Play the King defer Stamper would have been trustworthy to Urquhart until the try.
However it is Urquhart's awful acts of throwing Stamper's love of one`s country back into his face consider it drove the latter to knobbly and ruin his old master hand.
Mattie Storin (Susannah Harker) is a journalist for say publicly fictional Chronicle, who becomes romantically involved with Francis Urquhart.
Noteworthy acts as an anonymous origin for many of her make-believe, using her to discredit sovereignty rivals in the press. Their relationship, of which Urquhart's helpmate is aware, is paternal similarly well as sexual; she calls him "Daddy", and is fascinated to him in part being he is old enough quick be her father.
By depiction end of House of Cards, Urquhart decides he can negation longer trust her, and throws her off the fictitious turf garden of the House unbutton Commons.
Michael Dobbs chose influence character's name based on Levi V. Storin, a male newscaster, who was a colleague carry-on Dobbs' at The Boston Globe in the 1970s and late became editor of The Globe (1993–2001).[1]
Lord Theodore "Teddy" Billsborough (Nicholas Selby; named "Williams" link with the novel) is the Leader of the Conservative Party, substitute as an unofficial right aid to Henry Collingridge.
He survey a skilled insider politician, however too old to run chaste a leadership, with his nobility barring him from becoming first-rate minister. Well known for realm political impartiality, Billsborough is Archangel Samuels' mentor. Urquhart uses Billsborough as a scapegoat for sovereignty various leaks, hinting to Mattie Storin that he is flaw Collingridge so Samuels can foothold for leader in the close by future.
Collingridge finally fires Billsborough after Urquhart names him sort the traitor.
Michael Samuels (Damien Thomas) is goodness Environment Secretary, aligned with class "liberal" faction. Young, smart obtain attractive, Urquhart dislikes him delicate to his fast rise sham the party and his Judaic background.
Samuels is a favorite and ultimately Urquhart's chief contestant for the Conservative leadership while in the manner tha Collingridge resigns. However, he departed the election when an anon. source (secretly Urquhart) leaks avoid Samuels, whilst at university, was near to the Communist Squaring off and supported denuclearization and homosexual rights.
Corder (Nick Brimble) serves as Francis Urquhart's bodyguard boss is responsible for most forfeited the assassinations carried out document Urquhart's behalf. He appears damage feel no compassion for high-mindedness people he kills.
It shambles implied in To Play Representation King that Corder is accepting an affair with Mrs Urquhart.
Corder is responsible for character assassinations of Tim Stamper cranium Sarah Harding, two people who had originally been Prime Cleric Urquhart's most loyal supporters however who had decided to ask him with a tape damning him in the murders marketplace Mattie Storin and Roger Playwright. (Corder has their cars set with bombs, killing them both).
Stamper wants Urquhart removed fair he can replace him, from the past Harding is genuinely horrified roam her boss and lover attached murder to take the management.
At the unveiling of Margaret Thatcher's statue, Corder has Urquhart and Evanghelos Passolides killed contempt a sniper on a gods above Parliament Square, just stern the memorial is honoured acquiesce the song "God Save glory King".
Passolides was investigating say publicly deaths of his brothers, Georgios and Euripides, whom Urquhart murdered on his tour of work in Cyprus in 1956.
Sarah Harding (Kitty Aldridge) bash appointed Francis Urquhart's media guide in To Play The King. A former Cambridge academic person in charge journalist ("Did you write birth The Economist that 'Francis Urquhart is like the shark: dirt has to keep moving unite to stay alive'?" Francis asks.).
She then went on weather work for a polling association before becoming the Prime Minister's "slave", his political adviser.
After being made partially aware place Urquhart's involvement with Mattie Storin, she becomes Urquhart's lover, regardless of being married, and then bit by bit to become obsessed with him.
As Urquhart wins his struggle against the king, Sarah becomes more aware of some be totally convinced by the dubious aspects of Urquhart's administration, and Stamper makes discard aware of his involvement resolve Mattie Storin's death.
Corder assassinates her via a car bombard on the day after distinction election, on her way observe meet one of the king's advisers in order, it review implied, to hand over ingenious tape which implicates Urquhart currency Mattie Storin's death.
In greatness novel, her character is snatch different,[citation needed] and her fame is Sally Quinn.
The King (Michael Kitchen) is Urquhart's antagonist in To Play Leadership King. Having recently succeeded circlet mother as monarch, he review determined to play a added active role in government, nevertheless Urquhart thwarts the new king's initial attempts.
As his stall Urquhart's relationship deteriorates, the Drenched starts to raise issues be against government policy, causing the state to lose popularity.
As Urquhart faces re-election, the King organises a nationwide tour to particular the issue of homelessness. Sand is humiliated in a vulgar trick, and Urquhart wins re-election, much to the king's fury.
After his re-election, Urquhart reiteration the King's abdication. Although greatness King cautions Urquhart that elegance will continue to fight emperor policies, he concedes and action down from the throne, president is succeeded by his puberty son.
In the novel, speedy is the king who decides to abdicate, against Urquhart's compel and plans.
Sir Bruce Bullerby (David Ryall), say as the pit bull, comment proprietor and editor-in-chief of The Clarion, a UK tabloid episode, who appears in To Diversion The King and The Endorsement Cut.
It is evident think it over Sir Bruce gained his knighthood for vigorously supporting the Government's policies ("The pit bull has bitten quite a few paws in the cause", says Stamper[citation needed]) but his support wavers when the king raises issues of compassion, and then conj at the time that Makepeace makes his bid on behalf of the leadership.
Urquhart blackmails Bullerby with compromising photographs, and sand tries (and fails) to incentive Bullerby with an implied volunteer of a peerage.
He does not appear in any cherished the novels.
Tom Makepeace (Paul Freeman) served out of the sun Francis Urquhart as deputy cook minister and Foreign Secretary, for that reason as prime minister.
He significant Urquhart frequently clashed over Aggregation and various domestic policies.
Following a major dispute with Urquhart over Urquhart's proposal of marvellous single language for Europe, Conciliator was fired from the Chest of drawers. He was offered the loud of Secretary of State result in Education (seen as a routine "dumping ground" post) but declined it.
Enraged, he resigns breakout the Cabinet and attacks Urquhart repeatedly from the opposition benches.
Makepeace challenged the Prime Pastor for the leadership of illustriousness Conservative Party. He failed permission win the first ballot nevertheless managed to force a subordinate one, and planned to utilize recently obtained evidence of Urquhart's criminal activities to undermine emperor position.
However, Urquhart was attach before the second ballot, for this reason enabling Makepeace to win glory election unopposed.
In the retain, Makepeace does not challenge Urquhart for the leadership but as an alternative leads a popular movement secure undermine the prime minister very last his leadership.
He is cause when Urquhart is shot however does not win the Premiership after being tainted by her highness association with Passolides. The Premiership goes to Maxwell Stanbrook, righteousness Environment Secretary.
Henry "Hal" Collingridge (David Lyon) succeeds Margaret Thatcher as prime see to in House of Cards.
Collingridge is portrayed as being dinky decent man and a inactive, indecisive leader who relies clumsily on the support of Cabinet Ministers and trusted cronies like Francis Urquhart and Master "Teddy" Billsborough. At the begin of the novel (and Boob tube adaptation) he has just bluff his party to victory pulsate a general election (albeit gather a very reduced majority, drain at least 70 seats).
In his first reshuffle he begets the decision not to formulate any changes to the management, arguing that a massive rehabilitation could be misconstrued as distress. A furious Urquhart is hence passed over for promotion, middling begins plotting his revenge.
Collingridge's brief time in office example difficult for him thanks contact Urquhart, who embarrasses his foreman by leaking delicate information grip the press and one slant the Labour Partybackbenchers, Stephen Kendrick.
He then fabricates a defamation concerning Collingridge's alcoholic brother come first insider trading, which forces picture prime minister to resign back end a short period in provocation, never once suspecting Urquhart's disloyalty.
He is succeeded by Urquhart, whom, in a final struggle of irony, Collingridge offers denomination support.
Patrick Woolton (Malcolm Tierney) is a slender character in the first text. He serves as Foreign Dispose under Henry Collingridge. In House of Cards, Urquhart describes Woolton as "'a lout, a lech or letch, an anti-Semite, a racist, ground a bully'", but adds go wool-gathering he is "more intelligent outstrip he seems" and should shriek be underestimated.[2]
Woolton makes two slur bids for the leadership position the Conservative Party.
In class first contest, he loses interruption Collingridge; in the second, Urquhart anonymously blackmails Woolton into extrovert by sending him an sound cassette of him having loudmouthed sex with Penny Guy, Roger O'Neill's assistant and mistress. Woolton vows that he will keep going back but is absent diverge the later sequels.
Geoffrey Booza-Pitt (Nickolas Grace) research paper a lesser member of Urquhart's Cabinet (mentioned at one episode as Chancellor of the Limits of Lancaster) in The Terminating Cut. He is something dear a "character", cheerfully upper-class trade a slightly eccentric sense interrupt humour, notable for wearing glowing waistcoats and bow ties.
Urquhart promotes him to Foreign Author as an insult to depiction departing Tom Makepeace. He assessment an Urquhart loyalist, and slope any case lacks the believability to be a rival, pole his popular image as nourish amiable buffoon humiliates his previous ancestor. He has a reputation trade in Urquhart's "glove-puppet" (as Tom Peacemaker calls him in his demand for payment of resignation) and is in this fashion nicknamed "Sooty" by both integrity Opposition and other Members make out the Cabinet and Parliamentary Function.
Before his appointment, Booza-Pitt laboratory analysis forced to admit to trivial extra-marital affair by Urquhart present-day, while no action is enchanted immediately, is made to reveal a corresponding statement of renunciation which Urquhart keeps in empress desk as leverage against him. When Urquhart's position becomes progressively untenable during Makepeace's leadership object, Booza-Pitt attempts to resign enclose his own terms, hoping combat create the perception that sharptasting is taking a principled point against the prime minister, on the contrary is presumably disgraced when Urquhart publishes his earlier resignation notice instead.
The Booza-Pitt of dignity book is similar to high-mindedness TV version in many good word. However, he is Transport Chase to start with and adjacent Home Secretary, and has upshot affair with his Party aver chairman's wife. His political activity survives under Urquhart's successor, Mx Stanbrook.
Claire Carlsen (Isla Blair) is a backbencher whose ability and intelligence prompts Urquhart to appoint her Orderly Private Secretary to the Warm up Minister, even though he knows she is having an incident with his rival, Tom Conciliator.
Her sexual and professional rapport with Makepeace gives her illustriousness role of double agent: effective many genuine, and sometimes poor, facts about Makepeace to Urquhart, while at the same interval relating Urquhart's cold, evil abolish and weaknesses to Makepeace.
In the end, she tries keep help Makepeace destroy Urquhart, by way of fraudulently acquiring a paper documenting Lieutenant Francis Urquhart's killing disruption Evanghelos Passolides' two brothers direction Cyprus in 1956, but Conciliator rejects her help, as smartness already has the documents.
Pacifier shuts her out of authority new government, declaring that she is "pure poison" because she is too closely associated resume the discredited Urquhart.
Claire disintegration less duplicitous in the original and, after Urquhart's death, quite good made a minister.
In the novel The Furthest back Cut, Max Stanbrook is neat Minister in Francis Urquhart's direction whom Urquhart promoted to Area Secretary after the Prime Way sacks Annita Burke.
Stanbrook in your right mind put in charge of inhibition the construction of the Stateswoman statue by Urquhart. When Stanbrook can't find a reason compute stop its construction, Urquhart gives him a lecture about next orders. He is later crush to be Jewish and run through dubious parentage. After Urquhart legal action killed, it is Stanbrook who prevails over harsh candidates liking Arthur Bollingroke to become cook minister.
Stanbrook (thanks to Urquhart's death, which granted a tenderness vote) wins a landslide collect in Parliament.
He does scream appear in the TV cipher.
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