Robin Wright reveals House of Cards was ‘very close to being axed’

Robin Wright has revealed 2,500 people were almost left jobless when House Of Cards came ‘very, very close to cancellation’ in the wake of the Kevin Spacey scandal.

The actress, 52, who portrays formidable First Lady-turned-president Claire Underwood in the Netflix series, said she fought to save the sixth season of the drama amid fears thousands of people would have been left unemployed.

The award-winning star opened up to PorterEdit about the ‘shock and fear’ on-set after allegations against her co-star Spacey, 59, threatened the show’s continuation after season five. 

The truth: Robin Wright has revealed 2,500 people were almost left jobless when House Of Cards came ‘very, very close to cancellation’ in the wake of the Kevin Spacey scandal

Speaking in an interview and shoot with the publication, she explained: ‘[It came] very, very close [to being cancelled], because of the climate at that time. 

‘The air was thick, you know. Harvey Weinstein… People were [saying], “We have to shut everything down or otherwise it will look like we are glorifying and honoring this thing that’s dirty”.’

The actress said she fought hard in high-level meetings with Netflix to ensure the show was given a final season, which will air on Netflix on November 2.

She explained: ‘[House of Cards] is not dirty… I believed we should finish. I believed we should honour our commitment. [To] the people that loved the show, also. Why quit?’ 

Robin was determined to not see House of Cards end prematurely because of the vast number of people – cast and crew – who would have lost their jobs if the show had being axed. 

Fighter: The actress, 52, who portrays formidable First Lady-turned-president Claire Underwood in the Netflix series,  fought to save the sixth season of the drama

Fighter: The actress, 52, who portrays formidable First Lady-turned-president Claire Underwood in the Netflix series, fought to save the sixth season of the drama

She revealed: ‘[The media] printed that it was ‘only’ 600 people out of work, but if you include security, cops, shooting on location in Baltimore, everything, 2,500 people would have been out of a job. 

‘And that’s not fair – to take that security away from those people… They didn’t do anything [wrong].’ 

Robin managed to convince the show’s bosses to proceed with the final season, leaving House of Cards fans eager to know how it all ends.

The actress – who has won a Golden Globe for her role in the web television series – hinted that there are surprises in store for viewers, with an explosive ending in the offering.  

She teased: ‘It’s pretty wild. I mean, we’re doing an opera. And we went operatic! I don’t know how much more we could have topped ourselves. You’ll be surprised.’ 

Robin isn’t shy to admit her true feelings about saying goodbye to House of Cards, now that season six – the final season has been completed. 

Tough: The award-winning star opened up to PorterEdit about the 'shock and fear' on-set after allegations against her co-star Spacey, 59, threatened the show's continuation

Tough: The award-winning star opened up to PorterEdit about the ‘shock and fear’ on-set after allegations against her co-star Spacey, 59, threatened the show’s continuation

She said: ‘Bittersweet. I loved the people I worked with. We had such a tight bond; it became your family. 

‘It was leaving home, really emotional… Oh my God, so many tears. Tears and jumping for joy that we completed the show, that we got to bring it fully to fruition.’

For the first five seasons, Kevin Spacey was a pivotal part of that family, but after the scandal surrounding him broke and he was fired from the show. Robin has no plans to get in touch with her former co-star. 

She said: ‘No. He’ll reach out when he’s ready, I’m sure. I think that’s the way it should go.’ 

But Robin appeared to lean towards forgiveness when quizzed about whether she feels Kevin Spacey deserves a career reprieve.

She pondered: ‘I don’t know how to comment on that, I really don’t… I believe every human being has the ability to reform. Has the ability to reform.

It's back: The actress said she fought hard in high-level meetings with Netflix to ensure the show was given a final season, which will air on Netflix on November 2 without Spacey  

It’s back: The actress said she fought hard in high-level meetings with Netflix to ensure the show was given a final season, which will air on Netflix on November 2 without Spacey  

‘In that sense, second chances, or whatever you are going to call it – absolutely, I believe in that. It’s called growth.’ 

Away from her work on the small – and big – screen, Robin spends time putting effort into her socially conscious fashion collection, Pour Les Femmes.

The company which she started with her friend, designer Karen Fowler, was created to provide economic opportunities – and a skilled trade in sewing – for women in conflict zones around the world. 

The easy-chic shirts and dresses in the collection were inspired by a trip to Congo over 10 years ago, and the actress struggles to hold back her emotions when discussing the importance of brand.

She urged: ‘Buy our pajamas because you are helping a woman start her life again after being raped repeatedly. It’s pretty simple […] Seeing those women have their faith in life again…   

Family matters: Robin also spoke about her children, Dylan, 27, and Hopper, 25, who she shares with ex-husband Sean Penn (pictured in September 2013)

Family matters: Robin also spoke about her children, Dylan, 27, and Hopper, 25, who she shares with ex-husband Sean Penn (pictured in September 2013)

‘They don’t want a handout; they want their life back. We just built a school in Lake Kivu with the proceeds. These kids have been standing by, dying to learn – now they can go to school. I love it.’  

And in regards to her own children – Dylan, 27, and Hopper, 25, who she shares with ex-husband Sean Penn – she admits she encouraged them to always consider others. 

She said: ‘They are both very thoughtful. I always kicked them: “Hey, think about other people.” I really enforced that. 

‘I mean, I’m not comfortable in a disgruntled situation. I like people. You don’t want to not be liked or not like.’

In general, Robin confessed that she aims to be kind and considerate in every walk of life, explaining: ‘To be a good diplomat, that is what I want to be, and [have] worked at being. 

‘Listening, being open, not reactionary. You can be direct and opinionated without being a b***h.’ 

Earlier this month, it was reported the actress had tied the knot with her new husband Clement Giraudet in his native France, marking it her third trip down the aisle. 

To read PorterEdit on iPhone, iPad and Android, visit www.net-a-porter.com/porter

To read PorterEdit on iPhone, iPad and Android, visit www.net-a-porter.com/porter

Vogue Paris was the first to report that they tied the knot in France in a small and secret ceremony earlier this month. 

However, The Mail On Sunday reported that the pair married late last year, and spent Christmas together in Lake Tahoe, California, as husband and wife.

A source said of the pair: ‘Robin is not someone who relishes being in the public eye, so this wedding is something she’s kept very quiet.

‘She and Clement are very happy. He’s two decades younger than her but when you see them together you can tell she’s very much in love.’

Only fuelling the fire of rumours, the couple were then spotted sporting matching rings while away earlier this month. 

Robin was first linked to Clement, who is the head of VIP relations for Yves Saint Laurent, in September last year when they were spotted at a soccer game in Paris.

The union marks Robin’s third trip down the aisle, having been married to actor Dane Witherspoon between 1986 and 1988, before embarking on a 16-year marriage with Sean Penn that ended in 2010.   

To read PorterEdit on iPhone, iPad and Android, visit www.net-a-porter.com/porter or download the NET-A-PORTER app, from the App Store and Google Play.

Nwwlyweds? Earlier this month, it was reported the actress had tied the knot with her new husband Clement Giraudet in his native France, marking it her third trip down the aisle

Nwwlyweds? Earlier this month, it was reported the actress had tied the knot with her new husband Clement Giraudet in his native France, marking it her third trip down the aisle

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