Netflix renews 'House of Cards' for fifth season

Fans of conniving Frank Underwood can delight as the hit political drama House of Cards has been renewed for a fifth season by Netflix. The renewal comes ahead of the season four debut of the show on March 4.

The streaming service also announced that showrunner Beau Willimon will not return, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Prior to its fourth-season premiere, Netflix and (producers) Media Rights Capital are thrilled to announce that House of Cards will return for a fifth season in 2017. Concurrent with the renewal, creator and showrunner Beau Willimon is departing the critically acclaimed series," Netflix said Thursday in a statement.

"Netflix and MRC owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Beau Willimon for his strong narrative vision for House of Cards over the show's first four seasons... The producers, cast and crew join us in wishing Beau the best in his next creative adventure."

Willimon said it was time for him to move on to "new endeavours". "After five years and four seasons, it's time for me to move on to new endeavours, but I'm supremely proud of what we've built together, wish the show much continued success, and leave it in the hands of a very capable team."

Willimon adapted House of Cards from the BBC miniseries of the same name with Hollywood star Kevin Spacey in a stunning performance as the Machiavellian politician and his equally manipulative wife Claire, who has been impressively portrayed by Robin Wright.