He made his first appearance in the series' pilot episode, ' Chapter 1'. He is married to Claire Underwood ( Robin Wright), and also had a sexual relationship with Zoe Barnes ( Kate Mara) in season 1. He is based on Francis Urquhart, the protagonist of the British novel and television series House of Cards, from which the American Netflix series is drawn. He is depicted as a ruthless politician who rises from United States House of Representatives majority whip to president of the United States through treachery, deception and murder. Francis Joseph Underwood is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American adaptation of House of Cards, portrayed by Kevin Spacey.
