‘House of Cards’ News & Updates: Star Joel Kinnaman Talks about Ruthlessness of New Season, Explains His ‘Suicide Squad’ Character

By Carlo Monzon
Joel Kinnaman
 Wikimedia Commons/ Sandra Birgersdotter

Joel Kinnaman has been a busy actor ever since he arrived in the U.S. in 2010. Since then, the Swedish actor has appeared in various films including "The Darkest Hour," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "RoboCop," "Run all Night," and "Knight of Cups."

Currently, the actor is working on his latest projects "House of Cards" and "Suicide Squad."

Kinnaman joined the politics-themed web television drama series during its fourth season to play Will Conway, the Republican candidate who's running against Kevin Spacey's Frank Underwood as the next President of the United States.

Fans of the series are well aware of Underwood's character. Through the show, he is portrayed as a cerebral and calculating figure who's not afraid to use his power and position as president to go up against anyone.

But, the dynamic of power and dominance, which were usually attributed to Underwood, seem to have shifted after the arrival of Conway. According to Kinnaman, Conway is probably the first character in the series who's capable of standing up to Underwood. He also poses as a real threat to his presidency.

"That's what really drew me to the part," Kinnaman said about playing Conway according to Forbes. "It was an opponent he hadn't faced before. Someone who was formidable, but a different kind of threat."

"But in many ways, I think they're two sides of the same coin," he continued. "They have a real ruthlessness to them. You get the feeling that they will do anything to get the power they are after."

Kinnaman also noted that Conway is very different from the other characters he normally plays. In many of his projects, he usually portrays rough-looking working class types of characters. One of those is Rick Flag from the upcoming film "Suicide Squad."

In the film, Flag is a military officer who leads the group in their missions. Kinnaman noted that given the character's background, Flag has developed various issues that come with being a military operator.

"He is a very competent, damaged, dangerous man that is in the process of finding or knowing his moral compass still exists," he said. "I don't think he really knows if he's a good person. If you can think of yourself as a good person, if you've done all the things you've done."

"He's at the ppinnacle of military force," he added. "He's been part of every special operations unit there is. He's a man that has seen most of his friends die and he's killed many people."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo