"House of Cards" Shines Spotlight on Limestone College

The fourth season of the highly-popular Netflix television series “House of Cards” has started streaming, and Limestone College was prominently featured recently in Episode 3.

The show features fictitious character Francis “Frank” Underwood, a Gaffney native, and his callous political journey through the nation’s capital.

In the role of Underwood, actor Kevin Spacey has won an Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

(SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read on if you have not yet caught up with the series and do not wish to know a portion of the show’s plot in Season 4.)

Gaffney is again the backdrop in “House of Cards” Season 4, with Underwood campaigning in his hometown in the South Carolina Primary in the early part of the season.

In Episode 3 (Chapter 42), Underwood is on the re-election campaign trail in Gaffney, and that includes an appearance at Limestone College.

He is introduced to the crowd at Limestone by the character Celia Jones (played by actress LisaGay Hamilton), the daughter of a member of Congress, who has her own political aspirations.

The following is what the Jones character said about Limestone prior to welcoming Underwood to the stage:

“I just learned today that Limestone College, founded in 1845, was the first women's college in South Carolina, and one of the first in the nation.

“And that's something to be proud of.

“And since then, this school and its students have flourished.

“A young, eager community of men and women of all races and backgrounds, a true reflection of America's future.”

The scene was not actually filmed at Limestone College.

In the same episode, Underwood is also seen making an appearance at a church that is set in Gaffney.

The original production by the subscription-based streaming service Netflix set in present-day Washington, D.C., is the story of Underwood, a Democrat from South Carolina's 5th congressional district and House Majority Whip who, after being passed over for appointment as Secretary of State, initiates an elaborate plan to get himself into a position of greater power. The series deals primarily with themes of ruthless pragmatism, manipulation, and power.

“House of Cards” premiered in February of 2013. Although there have been several scenes supposedly in Gaffney, most of the actual filming takes place in Harford County, MD. Gaffney, as depicted in the show, is seen as a place that Underwood both loves and hates at the same time. The Peachoid water town in Gaffney has been prominently featured in the series.

ACCOMPANYING PHOTO: Frank Underwood, played by actor Kevin Spacey in “House of Cards,” makes an appearance at a church in Gaffney during Season 4, Episode 3, the same episode that features Limestone College. (Netflix photo)