Adapted from the popular book of the same name by the ever-brilliant Andrew Davies (Bleak House, Little Dorrit), House of Cards is a top class political thriller, following the charismatic yet highly sadistic and determined Tory Chief Whip Francis Urquhart, as he sets out to both politically destroy all those who ever crossed him, including the new Prime-Minister, Henry Collingridge.

Played by the late, great Ian Richardson, Urquhart is the ultimate anti-hero. Forget about Han Solo or Kerr Avon, here’s a man that will stop at nothing to get what he wants – which in this case happens to be becoming the most powerful man in Britain!

What spans across the four episodes is a gripping and suspenseful story of revenge, blackmail, political backstabbing, and murder. Well-paced and surprisingly easy to follow, even when you have the political knowledge of a wooden doorstop, House of Cards boasts excellent production values (shot entirely on film, its glorious to look at, especially during the fantastic aerial title sequence), great performances from Richardson and Susannah Harker, and best of all, a wonderful dramatic conceit that has Urquhart engaging in regular conversation with the audience, a great little bit of fourth-wall breakage that makes the calculated monster that is Francis Urquhart all the more likeable.

The mini-series spawned two sequels – To Play the King and The Final Cut – both of which are equally brilliant, yet very much lacking when compared to their parent series, which definitely has a stronger plot and even stronger supporting characters.

Both are worth a look, but it’s House of Cards that rules the roost out of the three. A masterpiece of political thrillers – gripping, intelligent, satirical and, even today, relevant, Cards is a perfect piece of television history.

The real burning question though is as to which is better – the UK version or the US remake? Why, we couldn’t possibly comment!

Released on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday 8 April 2013 by BBC Worldwide.