Frank Underwood (House of Cards)

Frank Underwood
House of Cards character
Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood
First appearance	"Chapter 1"
Created by	Beau Willimon
Portrayed by	Kevin Spacey
Information
Full name	Francis J. Underwood
Occupation	Member of the South Carolina Senate (Pre Series) Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th congressional district (Season 1) Majority Whip of the United States House of Representatives (Season 1) Vice President of the United States (Season 2) President of the United States (Season 2–4)
Title	President of the United States
Spouse(s)	Claire Underwood (m. 1987)
Party	Democratic
Hometown	Gaffney, South Carolina
Alma mater	The Sentinel Harvard Law School
Source	Francis Urquhart

Francis J. "Frank" Underwood is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American version of House of Cards. He is portrayed by Kevin Spacey. He is a variation of Francis Urquhart, the protagonist of the British novel and television series House of Cards, from which the American Netflix series is adapted. He is married to Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), but also had a sexual relationship with Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) in season 1. He made his first appearance in the series' pilot episode, "Chapter 1".

Underwood is from Gaffney, South Carolina. He graduated from The Sentinel, a fictionalized version of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and Harvard Law School. Some of Underwood's dialogue throughout the series is presented in a direct address to the audience, a narrative technique that breaks the fourth wall. The character speaks with a Southern accent. During season 1, he is the Democratic Majority Whip in the United States House of Representatives. In season 2, he is the newly appointed Vice President of the United States, before becoming President of the United States in the season finale.