House of Cards season 5: Kevin Spacey explains why he thinks show wont suffer without Beau Willimon

The entire writing team is staying on

Kevin Spacey as a ruthless Frank Underwood in 'House of Cards' (David Giesbrecht)

At Netflix’s two-day festival, currently taking place in Paris, Kevin Spacey - President Frank Underwood himself (sans his First Lady actor Robin Wright, unfortunately) - took to the stage for a panel discussion where he provided an update on the show’s upcoming fifth season, currently in the writing stages, reassuring fans that showrunner Beau Willimon’s departure should be no cause for concern.

“Beau was very tired,” Spacey said. “He’s been working nonstop since we began. He’s a remarkable man; we’ve had an incredible experience and without question, I’ll miss him being there every day.”

“But,” the Golden Globe-winning actor continued: “the writer’s room is the same writers that we had in season four - nothing is changed in terms of the quality of the work that we’re going to be doing and we’ve now been working towards.”

Beau Willimon's replacement has yet to be announced (Pic: Getty) (Getty Images)

“Beau and I began these conversations, as we did every year, sort of about midway through the shooting of the previous seasons. So, much has been discussed, much has already been put on the table, lots of interesting ideas… we’re excited now that the writing process is happening.”

He added that cameras will begin rolling on season 5 “soon enough.”

Whatever happens, it seems the show is now on an unsettling trajectory following the unexpected climax of season four. Cast additions Neve Campbell and Suicide Squad actor Joel Kinsman are expected to return.