Netflix commissions House of Cards season 5 but creator and showrunner Beau Willimon is out
Hit political drama House of Cards is set to return for a fifth season after Netflix confirmed it has commissioned new episodes for 2016 however the show's creator and showrunner Beau Willimon will not return.
This will see Kevin Spacey resume his role as duplicitous politician Frank Underwood although he will have to do without showrunner Willimon, who is quitting the show.
In a statement Netflix said: “Prior to its fourth season premiere, Netflix and [producers] Media Rights Capital are thrilled to announce that House of Cards will return for a fifth season in 2017.
"Concurrent with the renewal, creator and showrunner Beau Willimon is departing the critically acclaimed series.”
Willimon has been at the heart of House of Cards since the shows revival having convinced both Netflix and Spacey to run with the idea after pitching a revival of the highly regarded BBC serial.
In a statement Willimon said: "I'm grateful to Netflix and MRC, my fellow executive producers, our two incandescent stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, our talented writers, as well as the incredible cast and crew with whom I've had the privilege to work.
"After five years and four seasons, it's time for me to move on to new endeavors, but I'm supremely proud of what we've built together, wish the show much continued success, and leave it in the hands of a very capable team."
The latest run of House of Cards will be available to stream from 4 March.
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