Overview: How many series of House of Cards exist
There are two distinct television series titled House of Cards: the original UK version and the American remake. The UK series constitutes one series of 4 episodes produced by the BBC and released in 1990. The American series, produced by Netflix, ran for 6 seasons comprising 73 episodes from 2013 to 2018. This guide clarifies the structure, episode counts, and timelines for both versions.
UK House of Cards: the original series
Series structure and season equivalents
The UK House of Cards is a single television serial, often described as one series or one season. In US terminology, this is equivalent to one season with 4 episodes. It was produced by the BBC and first broadcast in 1990, adapted from the novel by Michael Dobbs.
UK series at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 1990 | Broadcast record |
| Episode count | 4 episodes | BBC/IMDb |
| Format | Miniseries/Serial | Programmer documentation |
| Original network | BBC Two | Network archives |
US House of Cards: the Netflix series
Season count and episode totals
The American House of Cards is a streaming television series released by Netflix. It spans 6 seasons (also referred to as series in some regions) and 73 episodes in total. The series premiered in 2013 and concluded in 2018.
Season-by-season breakdown
| Season | Episodes | Release year | Notable status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | 2013 | Series debut |
| 2 | 13 | 2014 | Continuation |
| 3 | 13 | 2015 | Continuation |
| 4 | 13 | 2016 | Continuation |
| 5 | 13 | 2017 | Continuation |
| 6 | 13 | 2018 | Series finale |
Key distinctions between the two series
It is important to differentiate the British original from the American adaptation. The UK version is a self-contained political drama miniseries. The US version is an expanded, multi-season reinterpretation by Netflix with significant changes in tone, structure, and scope.
- UK version: 1 series, 4 episodes, 1990
- US version: 6 series (seasons), 73 episodes, 2013–2018
Common points of confusion
Because both share the same title, viewers sometimes conflate the two. In the UK, House of Cards refers primarily to the 1990 serial. In streaming contexts, it usually refers to the Netflix series. Clarifying which series is being discussed avoids misunderstandings about length, format, and narrative scope.
Final summary
As of now, there are two House of Cards series: one UK miniseries (1990, 4 episodes) and one American streaming series (2013–2018, 6 seasons/73 episodes). Understanding this distinction is essential when comparing formats, episode counts, or planning to watch either version.