'House of Cards': Where We Left Off

Heading into its fourth term on Netflix, which kicks off Mar. 4, the hit political drama House of Cards is once again refusing to lift the veil on what we can expect from noted schemer Frank Underwood’s latest plots and plans. What little information has leaked from President Underwood’s Oval Office includes the casting of Neve Campbell as a political consultant from Texas, as well as new roles for Joel Kinnaman, Colm Feore, Cicely Tyson and Ellen Burstyn. As we wait to see how Frank is affected by the introduction of these friends and/or foes, here’s our character-by-character catch-up guide to the current status of his administration after the tumultuous third season. Warning: Season 3 spoilers ahead.

Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey)
Having devoted two years to amassing more and more power, Frank finally reached the pinnacle of the American political system by moving into the Oval Office. But it turns out that it’s much easier scheming to become President than actually being President. With his approval numbers in the toilet, he launched the ambitious, but controversial jobs program America Works, even “borrowing” money from FEMA to put the plan into action. (That bit of Presidential overreach backfires when a hurricane threat requires him to sacrifice AmWorks to fill disaster relief coffers.) He also endures scrutiny for his decision to name his wife, Claire, as the United Nations Ambassador, and finds himself repeatedly outmaneuvered by wily Russian president, Viktor Petrov, who has even fewer scruples than Underwood. Despite these setbacks, Frank’s not about to surrender his Presidential chair to anyone, including formidable challenger, Heather Dunbar, his main party opponent in the upcoming election.

Claire Underwood (Robin Wright)
Frank’s partner in crime has rarely wavered in support of his agenda, but even she has her breaking point. And that point arrives after her brief time as UN Ambassador — a position she used to advocate for a bold Middle East peacekeeping plan — is curtailed by her husband thanks to Petrov’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering. But she’s also disgusted by the compromise Frank was willing to make with Petrov after imprisoned LGBT activist Michael Corrigan killed himself in a Russian prison. Feeling increasingly forced into the role of being a picture-perfect FLOTUS, a position that was never part of their arrangement, she walks out on Frank with his re-election campaign about to kick into high gear.

Related: Ken Tucker Reviews ‘House of Cards’ Season 4

Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly)
Frank’s former right-hand man spent much of the season on the outside of the administration looking in, convalescing after being knocked senseless by the woman he was supposed to kill, Rachel — the prostitute who represents Underwood’s last big link to the murder of Peter Russo way back in Season 1. During his recovery time, the eternally solitary Doug reconnects with his extended family, and appears poised to forsake his former employer completely, offering insider information to the Dunbar camp. But that’s all revealed to be a power play designed to get him back inside the Underwood administration. And boy, does it work. By the time the season ends, Doug is Frank’s new Chief of Staff and finally, finally, puts his Rachel obsession to rest…by burying her six feet under.

Heather Dunbar (Elizabeth Marvel)
Frank really only has himself to blame for creating his political nemesis, who actually aided him in her role as Solicitor General before setting her sights on his job. It was his not-so-great idea, after all, to dangle a Supreme Court judgeship in front of Dunbar, replacing her friend and mentor, Robert Jacobs, who Underwood previously convinced to stay on the court despite his advancing Alzheimer’s. Thanks to Frank’s previous urging, Jacobs refuses to step aside for Dunbar, whose already aware of his condition anyway. Seeing Frank’s scheming laid bare emboldens Heather to present herself as the virtuous alternative as election season begins…although she also proves that she’s willing to compromise that virtue by accepting Doug’s help.

Jackie Sharp (Molly Parker)
Talked into joining the Presidential candidate fray — with the promise of a Veep appointment dangled as a carrot — to serve as a buffer against Dunbar’s so-far successful attacks against the Underwood administration, Jackie winds up endorsing Frank’s rival even though she’s promised nothing in return. She also unsuccessfully tries to put her affair with Remy firmly in the past to focus on her new marriage of convenience to Alan Cooke.

Remy Danton (Mahershala Ali)
After working both for (and against) Frank for years, Remy finally decides that he’s fed up with being the President’s designated enforcer. In fact, he insists he’s going to get out of politics altogether, even declining the opportunity to work alongside his once and future lover, Jackie.

Seth Grayson (Derek Cecil)
With Doug out of commission and Remy’s commitment to Frank’s cause wavering, the ever-ambitious, happily-duplicitous Seth angles for a promotion from Communications Director to the coveted Chief of Staff position. But Stamper aces his rival out by infiltrating Dunbar’s campaign and maneuvering her into a place where she descends to Underwood’s level with an attempted blackmail plot. That leaves Seth still stuck in the press scrum, although knowing him, he won’t be content with staying there for long.

Thomas Yates (Paul Sparks)
When Frank decides it’s high time that somebody write his life story, he enlists an author best known for penning novels and video game reviews. Yates is as incredulous as anyone about Underwood’s judgment, but cozies up to the President on trips to his childhood home and epic drinking sessions. They also bond over their penchant for keeping secrets — like the fact that Tom didn’t write his blockbuster first novel — as well as their bisexual proclivities. Even as Tom initiates an affair with journalist Kate Baldwin and Frank re-dedicates himself to his marriage, there’s a simmering attraction between them. But that simmer is turned way, way down after Yates reveals that his book focuses heavily on Frank and Claire’s relationship — and her confession that she “re-evaluates” their arrangement every seven years — leading Underwood to spike the book and Tom holding onto some potentially damaging information in need of an outlet.

Edward Meechum (Nathan Darrow)
The Secret Service agent’s unwavering fidelity to POTUS and FLOTUS was cemented when he slept with both of them in Season 2. He’s ever-protective and ever-vigilante throughout the third year as well, although their break-up may test which of them he feels more loyalty for.

Freddy Hayes (Reg E. Cathey)
The former proprietor of Frank’s now-defunct favorite joint for rib-sticking ribs is now gainfully employed as a White House groundskeeper. That allows Underwood to still chat the poor guy’s ear off — a “benefit” of the gig that Freddy just barely tolerates.

House of Cards premieres Mar. 4 on Netflix