@cpheonix I appreciate all your arguments. The only one I can't give a pass to is the dismissing of what House of Cards meant to the industry. This is not my opinion, it is a well-documented fact that Netflix took a risk with HoC, and that HoC changed Netflix, and blazed an entirely new trail that has changed the entire TV landscape. If you want to appreciate how TV has evolved over the decades, the House of Cards effect is a critical chapter in that story. For your convenience, here are three articles discussing various aspects of its impact:

How House of Cards changed changed content consumption

House of Cards made Netflix a powerhouse. Now what?

Why is House of Cards groundbreaking television?

And, as for Kevin James, I didn't suggest Kevin James would make a good replacement (I think he's a little too physically imposing for the kind of character Frank Underwood is). I just heard people were talking about him (some in jest, some seriously, believe it or not). That prompted me to open up the question to hear what people thought, and/or what other actors people thought could do the job.

@DRDMovieMusings said: And, as for Kevin James, I didn't suggest Kevin James would make a good replacement (I think he's a little too physically imposing for the kind of character Frank Underwood is). I just heard people were talking about him (some in jest, some seriously, believe it or not). That prompted me to open up the question to hear what people thought, and/or what other actors people thought could do the job.

Apologies, I didn't meant to imply you suggested Kevin James. I'm just saying that he would be a bad choice. But then again, like I said before, any replacement would be a bad. If the show started from scratch, then someone like Kelsey Grammer (who another poster suggested) would be a good pick.

Thanks for the links; I accept Netflix paved the way with HoC for streaming TV shows...but to me that doesn't mean the show itself is constantly breaking new ground (which what your original point seemed to be making "House of Cards has always been a trailblazing enterprise"). That's not to say your points haven't made me think; you have put forward some really good arguments to recast but IMO they should just end the series or continue without Spacey.

What about Brennan Brown https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1218149-brennan-brown ? He's known as "Fake Kevin Spacey" at Château LeMarchand for his Orange adverts, where he pretty much plays Spacey in "Swimming with Sharks": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9LSYV0b6bI

I had forgotten that HoC was the first "internet series". Everyone was so intrigued by the thought of watching original tv shows from the internet . All I heard was "What will it look like?" and "How will it come across? Will it work?" Of course it just looked like a tv show, but it was funny how naive we were.

@cpheonix said:

Apologies, I didn't meant to imply you suggested Kevin James.

No apologies needed :-)

Thanks for the links; I accept Netflix paved the way with HoC for streaming TV shows...but to me that doesn't mean the show itself is constantly breaking new ground (which what your original point seemed to be making "House of Cards has always been a trailblazing enterprise").

I agree. I was referring to the format itself (and the screenplay, even the opening credit shots are absolutely gorgeous eye candy, major production for a tv show). But, I know my meandering, musing style creates a flow from one idea to another, I know it can be hard to follow sometimes, trying to work on that :-)

Not at all, you articulated your points well and as mentioned it did make me consider, for a split second that recasting could be an option :)

@DRDMovieMusings said:

And, this is not to say the show could not just go ahead without the Frank Underwood character altogether, and just leave Robin Wright's Claire to run things.

As others have said, I think this is the only way forward. In fact, I think they almost have to let reality cross over in some way (might be too painful/viseral) and let Frank's own past come to the fore and give his character his comeuppance off screen? I appreciate their predicament with so many good actors on the series and so many fans, but when you think of legacy (as I'm sure everyone is), this series is poised to make an explicit social commentary on this very real historical moment. I am not envious of their predicament.

All that being said, there is just no way, IMO, that recasting would in any way work. Every time "Frank Underwood" appeared, it would be a reminder of everything Kevin Spacey.