UK USA similarities

UK	USA	Similarity	Differences
Francis Urquhart	Francis Underwood	Both share first name and last initial. Both are betrayed by their party leader after wanting to become foreign secretary (secretary of state American equivalent) Both of them take their revenge. Underwood might be derived from the name Urquhart which is "variously translated from the Gaelic, including 'woodside', or 'by a rowan wood', or 'fort on a knoll' ("Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia" by George Way, 1998) Both "break the fourth wall" by talking direct to the viewing audience through the camera. They both have an assassination attempt on them.	Different second name (though may be derivative, see similarities). Urquhart is from a very privileged aristocratic family (the third son of an earl), while Underwood had to work his way up. Urquhart developed a more genuine affection for Mattie, but Underwood did not have feelings for Zoe. Urquhart got elected to office as Prime Minister and won reelection several times, whereas Underwood inherited the presidency via the constitution and had trouble getting reelected. Underwood survives the assassination attempt, while Urquhart does not.
Elizabeth Urquhart	Claire Underwood	Both are Francis's wife and strongest supporter. Both come from a wealthy family.	Names. Claire has her own political ambitions, whereas Elizabeth only supports Francis' own. Elizabeth remains loyal to Francis until the end, whereas Claire betrays Frank for the sake of her own ambitions.
Henry Collingridge	Garret Walker	Both are leaders of their countries. Both are indecisive and manipulated by Francis. Both betray Francis on their promise. Both of them get entangled in a political scandal by Francis.	Names. Garret Walker is generally shown as a more competent politician than Henry Collingridge. Garret Walker eventually learns that Francis caused his fall from power, while Collingridge did not.
Mattie Storin	Zoe Barnes	Journalists Both young and new on their beats, both door-step Francis to create a mutually beneficial relationship with him as a confidential source Both have affairs with Francis Both of them eventually discover they were being used by Francis without their knowledge in order to weaken his political rivals. Both are murdered by Francis by being pushed to fall to their deaths, because they knew too much.	Names. Mattie genuinely fell in love with Francis; Zoe was not. Zoe broke up with Francis. After leaving the Washington Herald, Zoe found a job in another media. Zoe began an affair with Lucas Goodwin, the counterpart of John Krajewski.
Roger O'Neill	Peter Russo	Both are blackmailed by for Francis to do his dirty work. Both have drug and alcohol problems. Both are murdered by Francis when they are no longer of use to him and became a liability.	Names. Roger O'Neill holds no elected office and is a PR specialist, while Peter Russo is a U.S. Representative.
Penny Guy	Christina Gallagher	Both are assistants of Roger O'Neill/Peter Russo - Francis' puppet. Both are in love with Peter/Roger. Both have relationship problems with him due to his drug and alcohol problems. Both outlive their superior and grieve his death.	Names. Race. Christina remains in the show for a while after Peter's death, while Penny's role ends with Roger's death.
Tim Stamper	Doug Stamper	Surnames. Both help Francis gain power. Both act as Francis' right-hand-man. Both spend most of their careers devoted to him.	First Names. Tim Stamper is an elected Member of Parliament, while Doug Stamper worked as Frank's chief of staff. Tim Stamper ultimately betrays Francis, due to feeling unappreciated, while Doug Stamper remains loyal to Frank. Tim Stamper is murdered by Francis Urquhart. Doug Stamper murders Frank Underwood.
John Krajewski	Lucas Goodwin	Both are colleagues of Mattie Storin/Zoe Barnes at the newspaper, she initially works at. Both of them develop romantic feelings for Mattie Storin/Zoe Barnes. Both have their lives destroyed by Francis (John is killed, probably on Urquhart's orders, while Lucas is set up as a cyber-terrorist and imprisoned)	Names. Lucas begins a relationship with Zoe, while John's feelings for Mattie are rejected. Lucas was behind the assassination attempt on Francis.
Greville Preston	Tom Hammerschmidt	Both are head editor at the newspaper Mattie Storin/Zoe Barnes work in at the beginning of the story. Both eventually fire her.	Names. Greville is a puppet of the owner of the newspaper and an incompetent journalist, Personalities. Tom Hammerschmidt is a respectable, professional and capable journalist, while Greville Preston is not. Greville Preston is a puppet of the newspaper owner, whereas Tom is not.
Benjamin Landless	Margaret Tilden	Both are the owners of the first media that Mattie/Zoe work at and Francis uses to smear his political rivals. Both exert influence over the media.	Names. Gender. Landless is a greedy businessman, while Tilden is not. Margaret Tilden fired Tom Hammerschmidt, while Preston remained under the control of Landless. Benjamin Landless supported Francis' rise to power, whereas Margaret Tilden was not involved in Frank Underwood's schemes.