Ahead of the drama's Season 4 return on March 4, Netflix has renewed its original series House of Cards for a fifth season. However, showrunner Beau Willimon will not return for the new season, with it currently being unclear who will replace him.
Netflix has released the following statement about the renewal: "Prior to its fourth season premiere, Netflix and 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. Netflix and MRC owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Beau Willimon for his strong narrative vision for House of Cards over the show's first four seasons. As an Academy Award-nominated writer, he made his first foray into television and built a riveting and critically acclaimed series, establishing his place in TV history. The producers, cast and crew join us in wishing Beau the best in his next creative adventure."
Willimon added: "I'm grateful to Netflix and MRC, my fellow executive producers, out 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."
Willimon added: "I'm grateful to Netflix and MRC, my fellow executive producers, out 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."
Willimon adapted the series from the BBC miniseries of the same name. He served as executive producer and showrunner for the first four seasons. Additional executive producers include Kevin Spacey, Joshua Donen, Eric Roth, Dana Brunetti, Andrew Davies, Michael Dobbs and David Fincher.
