Francis J. "Frank" Underwood is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American version of House of Cards. He is portrayed by Kevin Spacey. He is a variation of Francis Urquhart, the protagonist of the British novel and television series House of Cards, from which the American Netflix series is adapted. Frank is described as manipulative, conniving, Machiavellian, psychopathic, and even evil. Throughout the series, he manipulates and destroys several people for his own ends, personally commits murder twice, signs off on another murder committed by a subordinate, and indirectly allows for murder of a civilian for political ends.