Netflix(MOSCOW) — House of Cards may have aired on Russian television this year, but it looks like Russian diplomats aren’t looking for a cameo role next to Kevin Spacey in the next season.
Russia has blocked a bid by the producers of the popular Netflix series to film scenes for the upcoming season inside the United Nations Security Council chamber in New York next month, a Security Council diplomat confirmed to ABC News Thursday.
The rejection was first reported by Foreign Policy’s Colum Lynch, who obtained emails between Russian officials and their Security Council counterparts.
The script of the scenes was shared with the United Nations in advance, on the condition that they not reveal the secret plot line.
“The scenes to be filmed on location would depict a meeting of the Security Council, as well as depicting behind the scenes discussion between ambassadors before and after the council meeting,” a British diplomat wrote in the emails, adding that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office supported the request, according to Foreign Policy.
“Upon thorough reflection, we are objecting to the proposed filming in the Security Council. … [W]e consistently insist that the Security Council premises are not an appropriate place for filming, staging, etc.,” a Russian diplomat reportedly replied, suggesting Russia has no particular beef with the show itself. A Chinese diplomat is said to have also supported Russia’s stance.
The show’s first two seasons made scant mention of Russia, but American tension with China was a prominent theme.
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