House Of Cards (Season 5)

As filming for the fifth season of House Of Cards was already well underway, the show faced a big problem. Donald Trump, despite all conventional wisdom, has somehow made it to the White House. This novice politician and reality TV star, who had made every gaffe, cock-up and misfire in the book, had still managed to charm enough of the electorate to inch his way past the post ahead of his far more qualified opponent.

It's the apparent ease with which Trump managed to steal the Presidency, despite a litany of scandals and setbacks, that posed a quandary for this Netflix political drama. As the megalomaniacal Underwoods, virtuoso politicos able to bend the democratic process to breaking point with their ingenious manipulations, worked their power hungry socks off to retain control, the level of apparent effort displayed on screen seems totally removed from the reality.

Having followed the plot of the British-made 1980s original fairly closely in its opening seasons, the show has now plotted its own course through a turbulent political present. What was an American remake of an existing narrative is now a show of fresh creation, and whereas the murderous, physically dangerous, sexually formidable Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) of the first seasons had an almost Shakespearian nature in his quest for power — more of modern day Richard III fantasy than an attempt at political realism — the President Underwood of season five is altogether less bombastic, seeming veritably pious in counterpoint to Trump's clown car America.

It may not have the same clout as the first three seasons of the show - season four is widely regarded as the weakest installment thus far - but this isn't to say House Of Cards isn't still capable of engrossing entertainment. It is as sophisticated and handsome as it has ever been, thanks to the superbly assured vision of series creator Beau Willimon, with delicious accents of bruised noir and old world espionage. The added prominence given to Robin Wright as Lady-Macbeth-on-steroids, Claire Underwood, is the highlight of this season, and given the spine-tingling cliffhanger we're left with by the final episode, it seems House Of Cards has just about managed to survive the curse of Trump.