‘House Of Cards’ Star Kate Mara To Play Another Journalist In Series

Kate Mara made a splash as journalist Zoe Barnes in the first season of the Netflix series “House of Cards.” Unfortunately, Zoe was killed off during the first episode of Season 2 by her lover, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey).

This time around, Mara is going to go snooping around again as she portrays real-life reporter from the 1880s, Nellie Bly, in a yet-to-be-titled series, according to Den of Geek. Bly is known for being the first female undercover journalist. She posed as a mental hospital patient at New York’s infamous Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island, and her stint there inspired the book, “10 Days In a Mad-House.”

Bly wrote about the terrible conditions of the hospital and the neglect she endured at the hands of its staff. The series that Mara will star in and executive produce will be based on that book, which is now being written by Sarah Thorp.

Mara, who recently tied the knot with actor Jamie Bell, last appeared in “House of Cards” Season 5 through flashbacks. The actress said she was actually very flattered by the storyline. “I literally know nothing about it, but I think it’s crazy and very flattering,” Mara told The Hollywood Reporter. “Little did I know, I don’t know how many years ago I finished filming, that she would still be a part of the storyline. That’s really awesome. That was a very special show to be a part of. I miss it.”

Showrunners Frank Pugliese and Melissa James Gibson, who took over from creator Beau Willimon after the fourth season, came up with the idea for Zoe’s return. The two explained that Zoe’s arc was so important to the series that she cannot simply be killed off without repercussions.

“The show has a memory and Zoe’s death is such a pivotal and huge moment in the show,” Pugliese explained. “It would be irresponsible to not deal with that. Someone would still be pursuing it and would still be trying to find some answers, so it felt essential that we do. At some point, we thought there was a price to pay for these women that disappear on this show. Somehow, we have to come to terms with that.”

“House of Cards” Season 5 premiered on May 30 on Netflix.