Netflix teases 'fitting end' to defining series 'House of Cards'

Beverley Hills - A Netflix Inc

executive promised on Sunday a "fitting end" to the

streaming service's acclaimed political drama "House of Cards"

but did not divulge how the series wrote out scandal-tainted

star Kevin Spacey.

"House of Cards" put Netflix on the map as a home for

original entertainment when the series debuted in 2013 starring

Spacey as conniving politician Frank Underwood. The show's

coming sendoff centers on Robin Wright, who plays Frank's

devious wife, Claire.

"We're really proud of the show, and it's a fitting end,"

Cindy Holland, vice president of original series at Netflix,

said in response to questions at a Television Critics

Association event where networks promoted upcoming shows.

"We always planned for season six to be the final season,

and we are proud of the work of Robin" and the rest of the cast

and crew, she added. The company has not yet set a release date.

"House of Cards" upended television when Netflix released

the first season's episodes all at once to encourage online

"binge viewing." The show earned widespread critical praise.

In November 2017, Netflix quickly cut ties with Spacey after

allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Spacey has been

accused by more than 20 men and has said nothing publicly about

the allegations since an apology to the first accuser in October

2017.

Five years after Netflix's gamble with "House of Cards,"

the company plans to release about 700 original TV series,

movies and other types of programming around the world this

year. The sheer volume has led to questions about whether

Netflix can keep churning out programming with a high level of

quality.

"Quality and quantity are not mutually exclusive," Holland

said. "We are maintaining quality as we grow by hiring brilliant

talent who are passionate about the stories they want to tell

and giving them creative space."

She also addressed complaints from some producers that their

work can get lost in the flood of Netflix programming. Netflix

devises a marketing plan for each show and is one of the biggest

online advertisers in the world, Holland said.

She added that the best way to reach viewers was by

Netflix's promotion of the shows when people turn on the

service. The company reported it had 130 million subscribers at

the end of June.

"That is by far the most powerful promotional vehicle we

have," she said. "I'm confident we are doing justice to our

programming."

Reuters