Barely four months before Season 4 of the American political drama TV series is aired on Netflix, speculations are quite aplenty all over the internet regarding the possible plotlines, new cast members, and also the premiere date of the show.
There have been previous reports that Frank and Claire Underwood would pick up from their blowout breakup during the Season 3 finale and split for good. However, subsequent reports seem to have recanted those rumors by stating that that the First Couple would reunite once again but only for public consumption.
In a recent interview with showrunner Beau Willimon, he confirmed that much of the focus of Season 4 is about how Frank will cope with the breakup with Claire.
He said that the upcoming season would reveal what would become of Frank without Claire, adding that the separation of the pair has been in the works since the second season, details the Ecumenical News.
Willimon said that they know that the strength of the show is anchored on the strength of the marriage of Frank and Claire. However, when they started toying with the idea of the split, there was no turning back for them.
The showrunner did not confirm the previous reports that Claire would be running against Frank during the election, but he did say that there will be a conflict between the two outside of their marriage.
Frank’s assassination
Another interesting new rumor about Season 4 of “House of Cards” is that Frank may get assassinated in the upcoming season.
While the speculation seems far-fetched considering that Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood is the fulcrum of the TV series and practically all plotlines revolve around him, the speculation was based on the show’s UK counterpart, notes the International Business Times of India.
In the UK version of the show, Frank’s counterpart, Francis Urquhart gets assassinated in order to save his reputation.
Critics believe that it would not be the case in Season 4 of “House of Cards” as the show gets its juice flowing from the relationship and now the conflict between Frank and Claire.
Willimon explained that Claire was very much in love with her husband at the start of the series. She may still be in love with Frank during the Season 3 finale when they had that blowout breakup. Accordingly, Claire’s rejection of Frank and their marriage has something more to do with the fact that she feels that she is not a complete person while she is with Frank.
The end of the road for Doug
Another interesting speculation to be churned out by the rumor mill lately is that Doug Stamper, played by Michael Kelly, will finally see his end in the upcoming fourth season.
The irony of the rumors is that Doug will be put out of his miseries by Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, himself. It comes off as rather absurd since Doug has been a loyal ally of Frank since Day One. He has been with his side through thick and thin and even had to sacrifice his life for him a few times in the past, so the rumor should really be taken with a pinch of salt.
Accordingly, Frank would order the killing of Doug because other than Claire Underwood, played by Robin Wright, his loyal ally simply knows so much about him.
In a recent interview, Michael Kelly said he has no clue as to what will happen next to his character. He admits though that he has heard of the rumors that Doug will be killed off in the next season, but he does not want to confirm or deny it.