Robin Wright on Fighting for Equal Pay on ‘House of Cards': They Said, ‘We Can't Pay You the Same' as Kevin Spacey ‘Because You Didn't Win an Academy Award'

Robin Wright reflected on her time on 'House of Cards' at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Monday, saying she had to fight for equal pay on the series because she didn't have an Oscar.
During a chat moderated by Variety's international features director Leo Barraclough, Wright recalled scoring a lead role on the 2013 show, which was Netflix's first big TV series.
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'When David Fincher introduced 'House of Cards' to me, he said: 'This is going to be the future, it's going to be revolutionary,'' Wright recalled. 'And look where we are now.'
However, she said she had to fight for equal pay on the hit show, which she co-led with Kevin Spacey.
'Yes, it was difficult. I am going to be honest,' she said. 'When I said, 'I think it's only fair because my character became as popular as [Spacey's], they said: 'We can't pay you the same as an actor, so we will make you exec producer and you can direct. We will give you three different paychecks.' I asked, 'Why can't you pay me as an actor?' 'Because you didn't win an Academy Award.''
But being angry 'wasn't going to change anything,' Wright said.
'That has been the protocol for years — it just is. If you say, 'Why did so-and-so female not get the same amount as Will Smith?' They say, 'It will increase after you win.' Nomination, not so much,' she continued. 'Why does it have to do anything with a raise?'
She also talked about that controversial ending: 'That was my idea, so… Sorry. Initially, I said: 'Let him kill her.''
However, Wright said getting to direct the show was a 'gift.'
'It was the camera operator on 'House of Cards' who said, 'Why don't you just try?'' she recalled. 'I learned so much on that show. I didn't feel any pressure. I was encouraged to do it.'
She also previewed her upcoming series, Amazon MGM Studios' psychological thriller 'The Girlfriend.'
'We all collaborated together to build this tension between two women who fight for this young man,' she said.
Adapted from the novel by Michelle Frances – and featuring Olivia Cooke ('House of the Dragon'), Laurie Davidson ('Mary and George') and Waleed Zuaiter ('Gangs of London') – it will see Wright as Laura, who has it all: a glittering career, a loving husband and her precious only son, Daniel (Davidson). But Laura's seemingly perfect life is blown apart when Daniel brings home Cherry (Cooke), the girlfriend who changes everything.
Wright is exec-producing, directing and starring in the six-episode limited series, set to premiere in the fall.
Wright will receive the Crystal Nymph Award at Monte-Carlo TV fest in recognition of her exceptional career and her enduring influence on the audiovisual industry. She first started out in TV – in the soap opera 'Santa Barbara' – before moving into film.
Wright is also engaged in activism, advocating for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and launching the charitable female sleepwear line Pour Les Femmes. She noted: 'I did it because I couldn't get any traction in Washington DC for the women of Congo. I really wanted to go to electronic companies and say: 'Can you wake up?' If you charge one dollar more for your iPhone, that dollar can go for protecting them. A lot of these women that I've met in hospitals are now doctors and lawyers.'
'Was there any pushback from DC? Yes. Congress people, they promise: 'We will get to it.' They just want to take a selfie with you.'
Wright was joined on stage by Rola Bauer, executive producer for Amazon MGM Studios, who shared her philosophy when it comes to new shows: 'If you don't entertain people, they are not going to come. If it's possible, and if we can, enlighten [with these shows]. Give something back.'
Later, Wright also talked about her film career including iconic titles like 'Princess Bride' and 'Forrest Gump.'
'People still ask me about these films. Only about these films.'
She still has a soft spot for underseen Rebecca Miller's 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' – 'I wish she would work more' – but already-announced project 'Kissinger Takes Paris' with Tim Roth cast as Henry Kissinger might not see the light of the day. 'I don't think this is happening. It has been radio-silent for almost a year.'
As for her biggest achievements, Wright answered: 'My children are still alive. As for my career… There's this window in your late 30s and early 40s, and there were no roles. It was dry. That's when 'House of Cards' came up. It helped me plateau for a while. I don't know if I would be able to get parts in films at the time.'
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