‘House Of Cards’ Season 6: Thomas Yates To Haunt Claire Underwood?

Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) killed off her lover and ally, Thomas Yates (Paul Sparks) in a surprise move last Season 5 of “House of Cards.” It was a death nobody saw coming, since Claire has really come to depend on Yates.

When asked if Yates will be back in Season 6 in some form or another, Sparks told Newsday that he’d willingly reprise the role - just as long as the showrunners call him up. “That’s one you’ll have to hold your breath for. I’ll hold mine, too. I don’t know what the situation is over there. If there’s something for me to do, I’ll do it. If not, I’ll happily watch just like everyone else,” he said.

For those who are unfamiliar with the character, Yates is an award-winning writer who was first hired by President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) to write a book detailing the philosophical thoughts behind the program called America Works.

Yates is the author of “Scorpio,” which is based on stories told by older men of their secrets and indiscretions. The author is obsessed with these stories and even develops the same obsession with Underwood. They almost started a homosexual relationship, but it did not progress further.

Sparks earlier told TV Line that he did not know his character would be killed off before Season 5 started, since he was only told by co-showrunners Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pugliese midway through the season. Surprisingly, Sparks did not take the character death hard. “I was OK with it. I’m a total slave to a good story. I’m down with a good death,” he laughingly said. “At the same time… it’s disappointing because [the cast and crew] are like family and you get used to being around them.”

Whether or not he’ll return, one thing’s for sure - Yates’ death is going to haunt Claire one way or another. When real-life entertainment journalist Brandon Katz from the Observer talked to the fictional president about his death, she appeared to clam up and blamed his death to his penchant for booze and drugs.

“What happened to Mr. Yates is a tragedy. Not only was he a talented writer and a valued member of our staff, but he was also a friend. Sadly, he was a man of vices. Men, women, drink and drug. I only wish I could have gotten him the help he needed in time,” she said.