Robin Wright Was Denied Equal Pay on ‘House of Cards’ for This Surprising Reason

Robin Wright may have played a powerful political mastermind on House of Cards, but behind the scenes, she was waging her own battle—one for equal pay.

Speaking at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Variety reported that Wright reflected on her career-defining role on Netflix’s first major series and the pushback she faced when she asked to be compensated equally to her co-star, Kevin Spacey.

"Yes, it was difficult. I'm going to be honest," Wright said during a panel discussion. When she approached the studio with the argument that her character had become just as popular as Spacey's, the response was blunt. "We can't pay you the same as an actor because you didn’t win an Academy Award," she was told.

Instead of equal salary, Wright was offered a workaround: producer and directing credits that came with their own checks. 

"They said, 'We’ll give you three different paychecks,'" she recalled. Still, she questioned the logic behind the decision. "Why does [an Oscar] have anything to do with a raise?"

Despite the frustration, Wright leaned into the opportunity to direct, calling it "a gift." Encouraged by the show’s camera operator, she took on new creative responsibilities that shaped the rest of her career.

She also spoke about pitching the controversial series finale—originally suggesting her character be killed off. "That was my idea," she admitted. "Sorry."

Wright's remarks come as she prepares for her next leading role in the Amazon MGM limited series The Girlfriend, where she will star, executive produce, and direct. The psychological thriller explores a tense rivalry between two women over one man and is slated for release this fall.

Beyond the screen, Wright remains active in humanitarian work, particularly her advocacy for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. "If you charge one dollar more for your iPhone, that dollar can go to protecting them," she said.

For Wright, acting has always gone hand-in-hand with purpose. And when it comes to standing her ground, she’s still not backing down.