WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the final season ofHouse of Cards.
Read at your own risk!
There, no more Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly).
Credit: David Giesbrecht/Netflix
Its a badge of honor, he says, laughing.
I was grateful to finish every season [before this] and see I was still alive.
That was the greatest treat, like, I made it!'
David Giesbrecht/Netflix
How did you react to that when you first read it in the script?
It made total sense.
[His murder] was about how to save Frank from himself.
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He was going to destroy his legacy, and Doug couldnt have that, you know?
How early on did you know about this twist?We were into it [by then]… She was like, No, we cant, and Imalreadyon it.
[Laughs] It was so reassuring to have her take a leadership role.
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She stepped up and became the driving force for all of us, for the whole crew.
Its impressive, and very Claire of her.Right?
[Laughs]
Lets talk about your death scene.
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Literally the lastshotwe shot was her holding me and staring down the barrel of the camera.
It wasincredibleon one hand.
On the other hand, we ended up doing, I think, over 14 hours on that scene.
[The scene] was five pages, and we took afullday.
Most of them are my second family.
[Laughs] Shes so… shes Claire.
[Laughs]
She really seems like it!
What do you think his final thoughts were?I think hes okay.
Hes finally at peace.
[Laughs]
Like in his mind, hes like, Thisshouldbe the way I go.Right!
Because think about it: He cant just walk out of that room not doing it.
Its certainly no life that he would want.
Hes almost grateful, you know?
So would you say he was prepared to die?Yeah, I think… And when she doesnt, he cant take it.
[Laughs] Hes like, Ive always been able to get what I want.
He just loses it.
Hes playing with a new hand, but ultimately theres no way to navigate it.
And in my opinion, its this beautiful moment between these two men who have always been at odds…
So in the end, do you feel like the scenes triumphant or tragic?
Ive set Janine Skorsky on a path [to finding the truth] with those little nuggets.
I thought all of that was very well thought-out.
Shes the one person we saw him love over the course of this show.
Claires final line There, no more pain is also quite poetic.
Thats just good writing, to go back to something that was so strong and memorable.
I was about to ask you how you felt about that, but it sounds like you hated it.
[Laughs] I read that [in the script] and I was like, Guuuuuys.
I dont know about this!
Can you imagine that guy on the campaign trail?
Hes not good at talking topeople.
Hes just not good at it.
Is he talking to himself?
Is he talking to Frank?
So you figured it out!Yeah, but I wanted to throw up.
[Laughs] I probably threw up in my mouth a little bit when I first saw it.
Even in the prep, I mean, I workedvery hardjust trying to wrap my head around it.
[Laughs] It was truly maddening.
We also got unshaven, on-the-run Stamper this season.
Wasthatat least fun and not agonizing?Sooomuch fun.
And lastly, did you take anything from the set after your last day?OfcourseI did!
And you know what?
[Pauses dramatically] I got the letter opener.
How perfect.As a matter of fact, that was my wrap gift to the whole crew and cast.
I got letter openers and I put HOC 6 on them.
I couldnt get the same one but I got these cool little leather-handled, brass letter openers engraved.
Wheres the letter opener you took?
Are you displaying it anywhere?Not yet.
Its in my nightstand.
I dont want to blow it for my family on what happens on this show.
[Laughs]
Ah, ofcourse.
Well, I hope it goes somewhere special.Oh, it will.
House of Cardsis now streaming on Netflix.
