LONDON -- Whether it was a marketing tease or a technical glitch, House of Cards fans were left disappointed on Wednesday after getting a momentary glimpse of the much-awaited season three.
In the words of Frank Underwood: "Good things come to those who wait." But what's the fun in that? If you need a House of Cards binge-watching fix, let us introduce you to the other F.U.: Francis Urquhart -- Frank's Shakespearian, even more conniving British predecessor.
We'll get this out of the way early. The original BBC House of Cards isn't nearly as slick. This is 1990s British television at its finest. But what it lacks in gloss, it makes up for in quips.
All three seasons of the original series are available on Netflix, and while it deviates in some ways from the original, many of the plot lines from seasons one and two have followed the original. So if you're worried about spoilers, season three might not be for you, yet.
The diabolical Francis Urquhart
In the opening, we meet Francis, played by Ian Richardson, when he's the back-room, deal-making, power-hungry chief whip of the Conservative Party.
He's the king of the wry smile.
Don't let that fool you though, beneath the pomp and expensive education is a man who is willing to get his hands dirty.
Delivered from a lavatory, here's a taste of when Francis Urquhart breaks the fourth wall.
[Prime Minister Collingridge's] deepest need was that people should like him. An admirable trait, that… in a spaniel or a whore, not, I think, in a Prime Minister. And we've done him a favour, too, if he did but know it. He was in the trap and screaming from the moment he took office. We've simply put the poor bastard out of his agony. "After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well." So let's not involve ourselves in any squeamishness, all right? Because this… is just the start.
Even Kevin Spacey thinks he's evil
Kevin Spacey described Francis Urquhart's character as "diabolical in such a delicious way."
"When I saw the BBC series, I thought it was just delicious that it was sort of based on Richard III."
And without Francis Urquhart we wouldn't have this line:
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Mattie Storin, the British Zoe Barnes
But it's not all about Francis. Mattie Storin, wide-eyed, determined young reporter, is the file-a-story-from-a-phone-booth version of Zoe Barnes.
Eagle-eyed serial BBC drama watchers will recognise her as Jane Bennett from Pride and Prejudice.
If these two were on Facebook, they're relationship would most definitely be classified as "it's complicated." Their affair in this version is even darker in many respects.
Before Claire Underwood, there was Elizabeth Urquhart
Elizabeth Urquhart is Francis' tweed-suit-wearing wife and the person who really has their hands on the power. She's the Lady Macbeth to Francis' MacBeth, who never takes her eye off the prize.
Don't be fooled by her jaunty hats, she's even more devious and ruthless than her husband.
TL;DR: UK politics are just as dirty
And, if all that hasn't convinced you, with a general election in a few months in the UK, now's the perfect time to swot up on some British political drama.
But if you're like us and just can't wait to see what Spacey, Fincher et al might have in store, BBC's season three finale does not disappoint, punching you right in the gut at the end.
House of Cards (the BBC version) is available on Netflix.