House of Cards’ Robin Wright explains why she had to play her controlling character in new thriller The Girlfriend

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Back in 2018, Robin Wright took on the main role during the last and concluding season of Netflix’s political suspense series, “House of Cards.” Despite her prior reputation as a key figure in political dramas, her new assignment was still an unanticipated twist.

It was Kevin Spacey, her co-star, who was let go from the show after sexual assault accusations (that were later found to be unsubstantiated). At the time, many viewers and critics questioned how the widely acclaimed Netflix series could proceed without its Academy Award-winning lead actor. In retrospect, those concerns appear quite unfounded. This actress had already starred as Buttercup in the beloved film The Princess Bride during her early twenties. Within a decade, she had risen to global fame due to her performance as Jenny in Forrest Gump.

Wright, portraying Claire Underwood in House of Cards, exceeded all expectations. When Underwood’s cunning former lobbyist ascended to the presidency and formed an all-female cabinet, Wright, who had advocated for equal pay with Kevin Spacey, received positive acclaim. However, media continued to focus on Spacey, and in 2018, she expressed to NBC News that “everyone was surprised, of course, and ultimately disappointed.” Fans even approached her to question how she could portray someone as ruthless as Claire Underwood.

Of course, the question on everyone’s mind was: “Is she as ruthless as Underwood in real life?” To set the record straight, let me clarify: “In no way, shape or form am I similar to her! The only resemblance lies in the Altuzarra dresses and Louboutin shoes. My role is to bring characters to life, ones that bear no semblance to my own self. Acting for me is like flipping a switch, turning on the persona when needed and switching it off just as easily.

During a video call, Wright is relaxing in a cozy room adorned with wooden beams and elegant furniture, nestled within the picturesque English countryside. After dedicating three years to her latest Amazon Prime Video series titled “The Girlfriend”, she’s taking a brief break. It’s not out of frustration – quite the contrary. However, creating TV shows can be a lengthy process, followed by the nerve-wracking anticipation to see if it resonates with the current cultural climate.

The Girlfriend – Originating from the novel by Michelle Francis, this series follows Laura (played by Wright), an elegant and affluent woman, whose tranquil life takes an unexpected turn when her dashing son Daniel (Laurie Davidson) introduces his latest girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cook). Sparks fly immediately. Filmed in both London and Spain, the narrative unfolds through a dual-perspective approach, leaving viewers to ponder if Cherry is merely a cunning working-class aspirant or if Laura’s suspicions of her are rooted in paranoia, snobbery, and a fear of losing control.

Wright shares that Andy Serkis’s Imaginarium Productions, having acquired the book’s rights, contacted her towards the end of the pandemic to propose she direct the pilot and establish the show’s mood. With a track record of ten episodes from House of Cards, two from Ozark, and the 2021 film, Land, Wright recognized the project’s promise.

Wright expressed that he appreciated how the story was primarily focused on female characters, noting its potential to be captivating. Originally, other actresses were considered for the role of Laura, but scheduling conflicts arose, leading him to take on the part himself. The character resonated with him deeply, particularly since he has a son, actor Hopper Penn, and could relate to Laura’s strong protective instincts towards her child.

I avoid discussing Hopper or his actress sister Dylan Penn, who happens to be 34 years old, because it’s been made clear that personal inquiries are off-limits. This isn’t shocking since Wright’s tumultuous 14-year marriage with Penn was a regular tabloid topic (she’s currently single). However, she chuckles as she recalls Hopper’s phone call from the previous day. “He had just watched the trailer for The Girlfriend and was eagerly anticipating the series.

Regardless of Wright’s American origin, the movie “The Girlfriend” delves into the distinctly British theme of social class, a topic that was frequently brought up during filming. The character Cherry is eager to savor the upper-class lifestyle that Daniel represents, regardless of any potential repercussions, as this kind of stratification in the UK appears more pronounced compared to the United States.

At age 59, with over four decades of experience under her belt, Wright has the freedom to carefully choose the projects she engages in. However, this wasn’t always a straightforward path. In her twenties, she opted to be choosy about roles, a decision that was challenging since opportunities weren’t always abundant. At times, one had to accept what was offered to remain active in the industry. During her children’s infancy, she even brought them along, breastfeeding her son on the set of Forrest Gump as he was only six months old.

During the crucial developmental stages of my children, I prioritized them over work, only taking on a job once a year. In an attempt to include them in my profession, I would try to work during summer vacations so Hopper and Dylan could join me on set. However, they found this experience unpleasant as it often took them away from their sleepovers and soccer games. They found it tedious: “Mom’s on set all day working, and we’re stuck in the trailer, waiting for her 30-minute lunch, with an exhausted mom who wants to rest.

Regarding Forrest Gump’s co-star Tom Hanks, I often ponder if we still keep in contact. To be honest, my social circle consists mostly of people I met during my late teenage years, not celebrities. I only interact with them at award ceremonies. Tom Hanks lives nearby, but we don’t hang out outside those events. We shared a wonderful experience working together on [the Robert Zemeckis film] a few years back. I once asked him why he continues to work when money is hardly an issue for him. He replied, “Well, I just love the conversation!” He shares stories on set all day long. He’s incredibly funny – he keeps everyone laughing. He’s a great guy.

In The Girlfriend, it seems Wright is enjoying herself so much that one might question if she even needs to work anymore. However, instead of pondering that, let’s focus on the fascinating skills actors often acquire, like how Gal Gadot overcame her fear of horses to gallop at 100 miles an hour while shooting arrows for Wonder Woman. Additionally, let’s delve into the continuing influence of the #MeToo movement in the industry. Gal Gadot points out that it has brought about significant improvements, establishing guidelines and a code of conduct for everyone to follow. She explains that it’s all about fostering respect and being a good human being on set.

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She advocates for the same level of compensation for both genders. In essence, it’s about recognizing that women deserve equal pay for equal work – a principle that is long overdue. This idea needs to be instilled in young boys as they grow into men, emphasizing that their female counterparts are their equals. It’s merely a matter of fairness and justice.

Indeed, discussions surrounding femininity and masculinity are currently quite popular. Bringing up young men in Adolescence sparks excitement, as evidenced by Wright’s face brightening. “I’m a big fan of Stephen Graham! That series was outstanding – it truly highlighted the impact of drama.” Is she planning to do more television? “There’s an abundance of quality TV shows out there. I often find myself immersed in them, like Mum with Lesley Manville. She is one of my favorites. The same goes for Peter Mullan, who was exceptional in After the Party. However, you asked about my future plans. For now, I’m taking some time off. And I’m also busy promoting The Girlfriend, hoping people enjoy it.

I’m pretty sure they will. “Oh good. Can you put a word out and make that happen?” Job done, I say.

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2025-09-02 03:23