Benda Robles

How backstory and direct address reformulate the Shakespearean character on television: The case of the missing psychological motivation for House of Cards’ Frank Underwood

Aalto University, Finland

This article delves into narrative elements of direct address and backstory in television, focusing on House of Cards (2012–19), Shakespeare’s Richard III and Game of Thrones (2011–19). Comparing dramaturgical approaches in stage plays and TV series, the study highlights House of Cards’ unique incorporation of a pragmatic use of the direct address to create ‘world-view’ for character exploration. The analysis extends to Game of Thrones, emphasizing Tyrion Lannister’s self-descriptive addresses revealing a psychological struggle rooted in rejection and backstory. The article proposes a methodological framework linking first lines or direct addresses to character backstories, emphasizing the role of self-descriptive asides in character creation. It introduces the concept of a ‘psychological motivational arc’ within character arcs, exploring how direct addresses contribute to nonlinear character development. Concluding with an in-depth examination of House of Cards’ Frank Underwood, it scrutinizes Willimon’s ‘show don’t tell’ approach, questioning its potential limitations on character depth and challenging traditional screenwriting advice. The analysis unravels the interplay between direct address, backstory, and character development in television series, offering insights into evolving narrative techniques and their implications for contemporary screenwriting.

She is currently a doctoral student at the Helsinki Film School (ELO) at Aalto University in the area of screenwriting. Her research interests are character creation and its juxtaposition to classic and contemporary dramatic theory. She pursues a practice-based artistic research, based on her experience gained as a visiting researcher at the Department of Film, Television and Scenography at Aalto University and a Master of Arts in Screenwriting at Napier Edinburgh University. In 2021, the script-based paper ‘Greta Ruiz and the Signs of Love’ was published in the Sightlines: filming in the Academy issue. Her second paper ‘How backstory and direct address reformulate the Shakespearean character on television: The case of the missing psychological motivation for House of Cards’ Frank Underwood’ has been selected for publication in the Journal of Screenwriting in 2024.