Author, politician and member of the House of Lords Michael Dobbs looks back on the TV drama that had 90s Britain hooked on political intrigue and infighting. Based on his best-selling novel, the BBC adaptation of House of Cards introduced television viewers to Francis Urquhart, the chief whip pulling the strings as a Conservative government experiences a leadership crisis that sees reputations and lives destroyed.

Lord Dobbs considers the seductive appeal of Urquhart and how Ian Richardson's portrayal of the character helped him instantly become one of the great TV villains. He also recalls how the very week that the BBC first broadcast House of Cards coincided with a real-life political meltdown as Margaret Thatcher was forced from office, and the fact that the latest screening comes after some of the biggest political upsets for decades. Coincidence? To quote Urquhart himself: ‘You might think that... I couldn't possibly comment.'

The Cyprus oil find causes civil unrest in Greek Cyprus, leading to the capture of the High Commissioner and the Greek Cypriot President. The strong-arm tactics Urquhart orders during the rescue result in the loss of innocent lives and his career.

Ditched by Makepeace, Claire tells Maria that Urquhart cannot help her trace her uncles' graves and suggests that she go to Makepeace for help. Meanwhile, Makepeace attacks Urquhart in the House about the cover-up on the Cyprus war graves. 

Urquhart promises to help a young Greek Cypriot girl locate the war graves of her murdered uncles. After announcing her affair with Tom, Claire becomes Urquhart's Parliamentary Private Secretary. The arbitration judge makes a decision.

Urquhart is determined to leave his mark on the world before retiring. He is in the middle of brokering an historic peace settlement between Greek and Turkish Cyprus when a Turkish businessman makes him an attractive offer.