Why ‘Zero Day’ is the Must-Watch Political Thriller for ‘House of Cards’ Fans!

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  • ‘Zero Day’s Premise and Characters, Explained
  • ‘Zero Day’ Has More Sociopolitical Relevance Than ‘House of Cards’

Amidst today’s tumultuous global politics, enthusiasts of “House of Cards” can now look forward to a captivating TV series in 2025. The esteemed actor, Robert De Niro, takes his talent to television for the first time with “Zero Day,” a six-part Netflix miniseries set to debut on February 20, 2025. This political conspiracy thriller finds De Niro portraying George Mullen, a senior U.S. government official grappling with the aftermath of a massive global cyberattack that has left the international community in disarray.

Indeed, Netflix’s original series “House of Cards,” co-created by Beau Willimon and David Fincher, gained significant popularity and found itself embroiled in off-screen drama as it unfolded. Politically inclined viewers seeking similar high-tension dramas can find solace in “Zero Day,” a series featuring an even more distinguished cast led by De Niro. All six episodes will be released concurrently, providing you with all the essential details about “Zero Day” and how it measures up to “House of Cards.

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What Is Netflix’s ‘House of Cards’ About?

One of Netflix’s first hit original TV shows, ‘House of Cards’, is an American adaptation of a 1990 British political thriller. This series was developed by Beau Willimon, who also worked on ‘The Ides of March’. The storyline of ‘House of Cards’ focuses on the underhanded political strategies employed by Francis Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey), a vindictive U.S. government official seeking revenge and increasing his power and authority within the American political system.

In his relentless pursuit to maintain power and influence policy, Underwood repeatedly engages in Faustian deals, sacrificing moral integrity along the way. For example, Claire (played by Robin Wright), his wife, is shrewdly ambitious and becomes both an ally and adversary in politics rather than a loving partner. Over time, trust has become scarce in Washington D.C., as the Underwoods form and dissolve relationships based on who can aid or hinder their political careers.

Spacey’s career controversy aside, “House of Cards” played a significant role in establishing Netflix as a credible platform for original television productions and attracting A-list Hollywood actors. Over its five seasons, it garnered 33 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and ranked at #133 on IMDb’s Top 250 TV shows in 2025.

‘Zero Day’s Premise and Characters, Explained

The “Zero Day” miniseries consists of six episodes, crafted by Eric Newman (known for “Narcos”), Noah Oppenheim from NBC News (“Jackie”), and Michael Schmidt, a reporter from the “New York Times”. Lesli Linka Glatter directed all six episodes, a seasoned TV professional who oversaw 25 episodes of “Homeland” between 2012 and 2020.

The narrative revolves around a worldwide cyber-incident resulting in thousands of casualties and causing widespread panic. This event triggers world leaders to take action to secure their citizens. In this series, two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro portrays ex-U.S. President George Mullen, a high-ranking U.S. politician assigned to manage the crisis. Given De Niro’s strong political views and recent activism, his involvement as an executive producer suggests the project holds deep significance for him.

As a fervent fan, I eagerly anticipate a Netflix series that will undeniably become a must-watch, slated for filming in New York at the end of 2023. This production has been given exclusive rights to capture a staged train collision, potentially shedding light on a chilling cyberattack and its devastating aftermath.

The cast that director Glatter has assembled is truly remarkable. Robert De Niro leads an outstanding ensemble, including Joan Allen as Sheila, Mullen’s wife, and Lizzy Caplan as their daughter, Alexandra. It’s impossible to overlook the exceptional talent of Joan Allen, particularly her performance in the politically charged thriller, The Contender, where she shines as the first female President of the United States. This role remains criminally underrated.

Most of the people discussed so far have backgrounds in political films or real-world news, like De Niro, who is well-known for his role in “Wag the Dog.” It’s no surprise that seasoned actors committed to the cause were chosen for “Zero Day,” a grave political thriller produced during these intensely serious times.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but be drawn in by the remarkable cast of “Zero Day,” featuring Jesse Plemons, Connie Britton, Bill Camp, Dan Stevens, Matthew Modine, Gaby Hoffman, Clark Gregg, and the illustrious Angela Bassett as POTUS, Evelyn Mitchell. Whether you’re a fan of “House of Cards” or not, the captivating ensemble is compelling enough to warrant giving “Zero Day” a fair hearing. Given its contemporary relevance, it seems more timely now than “House of Cards” did back then.

‘Zero Day’ Has More Sociopolitical Relevance Than ‘House of Cards’

In contrast to House of Cards, which primarily revolves around power struggles within the U.S. government, Zero Day significantly intensifies the drama by broadening its perspective to encompass a wide range of international issues.

To elaborate, since House of Cards is an adaptation from a 1990 British series, it emphasizes adjusting the European parliamentary system to fit the American government structure. This gives the show a slightly outdated feel compared to contemporary times. In contrast, Zero Day deliberately steers clear of this by weaving a timely narrative surrounding current cybersecurity issues. Instead of centering on personal political aspirations within the home country, it presents a chilling warning from an international perspective. Conceivably, Zero Day could fill the seven-year gap left by House of Cards’ absence with its compelling storyline.

In a different vein from Netflix’s House of Cards, which is largely confined to the halls of U.S. politics, the series Zero Day presents a more expansive narrative revolving around a global cyberattack. Given its compelling storyline, prestigious background, complex geopolitical implications, and Robert De Niro’s debut in television, Zero Day is highly recommended for fans of House of Cards, and it’s currently streaming on Netflix.

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2025-03-01 19:32