It has been nearly a decade since the Underwood era officially imploded, but the ripple effects are still hitting the headlines in 2026. Honestly, looking back at the actors from House of Cards, it’s wild to see how the show served as both a launchpad for Oscar winners and a final curtain for others. You’ve got people moving to the English countryside to escape the "show," while others are literally suiting up to play Lois Lane.
The legacy of the show is messy. It changed how we watch TV, sure, but it also changed the lives of everyone on that set in ways they probably didn't see coming when they first read those scripts in Baltimore.
Robin Wright’s New Life Across the Pond
While Claire Underwood was busy conquering the Oval Office, Robin Wright has spent the last year conquering a much quieter life. By late 2025 and into 2026, she made it pretty clear she was done with the American "rat race." She’s actually relocated to England. She told The Times of London that America had become a bit of a "sh*tshow," and she’s been vocal about loving the freedom of living in the UK.
It’s not just a vacation. She’s been working on Prime Video’s The Girlfriend over there and has been spotted looking incredibly relaxed with her boyfriend, Henry Smith. It’s a far cry from the stiff, high-collared dresses and icy glares of the White House. She seems to be leaning into directing and selective acting, choosing "living" over the constant, panicked ambition she says defines the U.S. film industry right now.
The Reality of Kevin Spacey in 2026
You can't talk about the actors from House of Cards without addressing the elephant in the room. Frank Underwood himself.
🔗 Read more: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
Kevin Spacey’s career didn't just stall; it entered a legal labyrinth that is still winding through the courts. As of right now, he is preparing for a major civil trial in London’s High Court scheduled for October 2026. This involves claims from three different men dating back to the early 2000s. Even though he was found not guilty in a 2023 criminal trial, these civil cases keep him tethered to the legal system rather than the soundstage.
In some recent, somewhat jarring interviews, Spacey admitted to having "no home" and facing foreclosure on his Baltimore property. While he’s popped up in a few micro-budget indie films and voiced characters in smaller projects, the "return to Hollywood" that some predicted simply hasn't materialized. The industry has largely moved on.
From Maryland to Metropolis: Rachel Brosnahan’s Ascent
If you want a success story, look at Rachel Brosnahan.
Basically, she went from playing the doomed Rachel Posner—a character who was originally supposed to only last two episodes—to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world. 2025 was her year. She stepped into the iconic boots of Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman, and the reception was massive.
💡 You might also like: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
She’s also producing now. She’s the lead and executive producer for the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent. She’s managed to shed the "tragic girl from the van" image entirely, replacing it with a mix of Midge Maisel’s wit and Lois Lane’s grit. It’s rare to see an actor from a gritty political drama pivot so successfully into a superhero franchise without losing their "serious actor" street cred.
Mahershala Ali and the Long Game
Mahershala Ali (Remy Danton) is perhaps the most decorated alumnus of the Underwood circle.
He’s got two Oscars now. But funny enough, everyone is still asking him about Blade. Marvel announced him for the role back in 2019, and here we are in 2026, and the production has been through more rewrites than a campaign speech.
In the meantime, he’s been busy with Jurassic Park Rebirth, playing a lead role in the hunt for genetically mutated dinosaurs. He also starred in Leave the World Behind on Netflix, which felt like a spiritual successor to the tension of House of Cards, just with more deer and fewer lobbyists.
📖 Related: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
The Supporting Players Who Stayed Booked
- Michael Kelly (Doug Stamper): The most loyal man in D.C. hasn't slowed down. He’s currently attached to the Jack Ryan film as Mike November and recently appeared in Night Always Comes. He’s one of those guys who will never be out of work because he plays "competent and slightly terrifying" better than anyone else.
- Corey Stoll (Peter Russo): Stoll has become a staple of prestige TV and big-budget movies alike. He was recently in The Better Sister and has been doing a lot of heavy lifting on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for Appropriate in late 2024. He also keeps his foot in the Marvel door, returning as M.O.D.O.K. in the Ant-Man sequels.
- Kate Mara (Zoe Barnes): Mara has moved heavily into producing. She starred in and executive produced A Teacher and more recently appeared in Black Mirror. She’s currently filming Imperfect Women, continuing her trend of picking scripts that make people a little uncomfortable.
Why the House of Cards Pedigree Still Matters
The reason we’re still tracking these actors is that the show was a masterclass in ensemble casting. David Fincher didn't just pick "types"; he picked theater-trained actors who could handle ten-page dialogue scenes without blinking.
That training is why you see Corey Stoll and Rachel Brosnahan dominating Broadway and blockbusters simultaneously. They have the stamina.
If you’re looking to follow their current work, the best move is to keep an eye on the London theater scene for Wright and the upcoming 2026 film festivals for Ali’s more experimental projects. The "Underwood curse" might have hit the show’s production, but the talent it cultivated is still very much running the game in 2026.
Your Next Steps:
- Check out the latest Superman trailer to see Rachel Brosnahan’s take on Lois Lane; it’s a total 180 from her time in D.C.
- Watch 'The Girlfriend' on Prime Video if you want to see Robin Wright’s most recent performance since her move to England.
- Follow the London High Court updates in October 2026 if you’re following the legal conclusion of the Spacey saga.