House of Cards season 3 cast: Jenna Stern to join 'House of Cards' ensemble, Kim Dickens to follow

Jenna Stern [Photo credit: Jenna Stern | Twitter]

Jenna Stern, famous for playing seven roles in Dick Wolf's long-running police and legal drama television series, "Law & Order," will now move into Frank Underwood's world of deception in the third season of the Netflix series, "House of Cards."

Stern's character is yet to be named but TV Line reports that the actress will be playing the role of a United Nations Ambassador in the political drama series. How Stern's role will change the political world has not been divulged.

The 47-year old actress's latest acting feat was her role in "Law & Order" as Judge Elana Barth in 2013. Stern was part of the drama series since its inception in 1999, even portraying varying roles in the spin-off series "Criminal Intent" and "Special Victims Unit."

Stern will join Kevin Spacey (Frank Underwood), Robin Wright (Claire Underwood), Rachel Brosnahan (Rachel Posner), Sebastian Arcelus (Lucas Goodwin), Constance Zimmer (Janine Skorsky) and many others. "House of Cards," an adaptation of the 1990 BBC mini-series of the same name, premiered on Netflix on Feb. 3 last year and is now preparing for its third season.

The second season ended with Underwood as president, Douglas Stamper (Michael Kelly) missing, and Rachel Posner haunting. Interestingly, the original British political thriller killed off the main protagonist, but will the upcoming season follow? It's not impossible that a dead Stamper may kick off the new season and rumors suggest that a dead Underwood may end it, too.

"House of Cards" will also welcome another character in the show. Kim Dickens scored a recurring role in the upcoming third season. Dickens played Joanie Stubbs, the owner of Chez Amis, in the 2004 western series "Deadwood." She also took on the role of Detective Rhonda Boney in "Gone Girl." Her character in "House of Cards," however, has not yet been announced.

"House of Cards" season 3 will premiere on Netflix in early 2015. And if the release pattern is to be followed, the bigger ensemble will return by February.

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