Based on a novel by Michael Dobbs, the British miniseries House of Cards was the first entry in a darkly satirical trilogy about ruthless, unscrupulous Conservative MP Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson). Determined to advance himself politically, socially, and financially, Urquhart would stop at nothing to achieve his goal, and was eager and willing to sell out his friends and loved ones whenever the price was right. Although he managed to cover his tracks so far as the public was concerned, Urquhart was threatened with exposure by investigative reporter Mattie Storin (Susannah Harker). The battle of wits and wills between Urquhart and Storin provided the bulk of the drama and intrigue in this four-part saga, which originally aired over the BBC1 from November 18 to December 9, 1990. House of Cards was followed by two additional miniseries, To Play the King and The Final Cut, all starring Ian Richardson as the "hero." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi