The show, adapted from the British political thriller miniseries of the same name, will be set against the backdrop of modern-day U.S. electoral politics and follow an ambitious politician (Spacey) with his eye on the top job. Fincher is scheduled to direct the first episode next spring, which, as previously announced, will have a script by Beau Willimon.

Before production on this pilot episode begins, the scripts for 13 episodes will be delivered. Production on subsequent episodes of House of Cards will commence several months later, allowing producers time to carefully develop the series.