The Wright way

Robin Wright says playing Claire Underwood in the House of Cards opened up other opportunities for her.

Robin Wright in House of Cards

The sixth and final season of House of Cards premièred on Netflix earlier this month. It saw Claire Underwood’s (played by Robin Wright) rise from a Congressman’s wife to being the most powerful lady in the US. With the first season released in 2013, House of Cards has received eight Golden Globe Award nominations since then, with Robin Wright winning the Best Actress-Television Series Drama in 2014. Six years into the show, Robin is now equipped to try her hand at direction.

At Netflix’s See What’s Next Asia event in Singapore, Robin Wright said, “Finishing House of Cards and having gotten a taste of direction, I don’t feel like an actress now. I am seeking out things to direct than act.”

The 52- year-old actor made her directorial début with

House of Cards , in which she directed a couple of episodes including the finale. “I learned to be a director on the show. We had some seasoned crew members. Our camera operator has been in the business for 42 years. He has worked with Oliver Stone, Michael Mann and Martin Scorsese. He taught me how to look through the lens and figure out what I wanted and why. He taught me to pick up the right lens,” she said.

Robin Wright with Ted Sarandos

Blessed with a great support system, Robin said that every episode she directed taught her something new. “I was always learning,” she added. For example, she understood that the colour red couldn’t be used in shots. Robin also learned how to avoid certain lenses. “It was great working within the restrictions laid down by David Fincher (the director of first two episodes).”

The success of

House of Cards has opened new doors for Robin, who said that the character Claire landed her roles in

Wonder Woman and

Blade Runner 2049 . “I was typecast for so many years as the quiet, wounded, understanding wife. I think Claire made casting directors go, ‘Wow, I didn’t know she could do that!’ Well, I’ve always been able to do it, you just didn’t let me.”

House of Cards had a chequered journey. There was a crisis when her co-actor Kevin Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct in the #MeToo movement. “Everybody was alarmed and shocked,” she recalled. And because the climate was sensitive, the show runners and the crew decided to have a conversation about it. “We had to pause, let the dust settle, and talk about what was best for the show that spanned over five years, with a huge fan-following.” They ultimately decided to end the show as it had been originally planned. Ending the show abruptly would be disastrous for people who were employed by Netflix. There were too many lives and livelihoods at stake, recounted Robin.

Speaking about the gender pay gap, Robin said she saw no reason why men and women should be paid differently for the same amount of work. “The fight should simply be for equal work and equal pay. If I do the same job, I should also be paid the same. It wasn’t until season three when I realised I was working my ass off and getting paid less. We really need to be clear on that line. Studios and producers cannot deny it. And I think agents are pushing for their clients,” she added.

It was bitter-sweet wrapping up the series, said Robin, “We will keep certain friendships, I think forever.” Will she miss Claire? “It was time to put the character to bed. It is the same when you do a film. The only difference is that it’s been three times as long. But, I will miss her clothes and her shoes”.

(The author was in Singapore at the invitation of Netflix)