You risk working with this director, you risk making this movie, you risk working with another actor you don't know. It makes your heart beat faster. And it keeps you interested.

Sometimes the person who is the most logical is the person whom we call insane.

Mediocrity is the elephant in the room.

I have talked to more people who are in politics who have said to me, "[House of Cards] is closer than you can imagine. It's the most accurate description of how politics actually works that we've ever seen." I mean, West Wing - beautiful, wonderful idea of how democracy should work. But I've had more people in politics say they think House of Cards is closer. I - don't know whether to take that as a compliment or a sad state of affairs.

I've never heard of a situation where, because somebody had a particular political belief, they didn't get a part. I think it's a bit of a myth.

I feel it's a responsibility for anyone who breaks through a certain ceiling... to send the elevator back down and give others a helpful lift.

For years, particularly with the advent of the Internet, people have been griping about lessening attention spans.