D.C. is full of secrets. House of Cards, the masterful, award-winning Netflix series that follows the political mischief of House Majority Whip Francis Underwood, is now unleashing a slew of its own.
Neflix released its director's commentary, along with a bevy of delightful facts from the likes of directors David Fincher, James Foley and many more. Though they shared mostly technical details about set design and cinematography, they occasionally dropped (spoiler-free) tidbits you won't find anywhere else. We combed through the episodes and plucked out the 10 coolest facts.
See also: 9 Netflix Original Series to Stream in 2014
Image: Flickr, Elen Nivrae
Once director and producer David Fincher finally grouped the cast together in the same room, he had the opportunity to say something he had always wanted to say to actors: "Every single person in this room represents our first choice, so don't f*** this up. If you do, I will never forgive you."
Both shows were shot in Baltimore, Md.
The actor Reg E. Cathey, who plays Freddy, the jovial owner of a ribs joint, was on two seasons of The Wire.
The local diner Stamper often frequents for dirty deals was a Wire mainstay. Fincher didn't know, but remarked on how great the place was, to which the owner replied, "Oh yeah, The Wire shot here three times a week."
Image: Kris Connor/Contributor/Getty Images Entertainment
Actors Michael Gill and Jayne Atkinson, who play President Garrett Walker and Secretary of Sate Cathy Durant, respectively, are married in real life. Fincher didn't know until they were setting up credits for the episode.
Image: Jemal Countess/Stringer/Getty Images Entertainment
Actress Kate Mara, who plays ruthless journalist Zoe Barnes, had the final choice of actor Sebastian Arcelus, who plays her coworker, Lucas Goodwin.
While shooting promotional stills, Kevin Spacey had to hold a burning flag, but ended up burning his hand. He was forced to wear a bandage, which is why Underwood conveniently burns his hand with coffee and wears a bandage in episode nine.
The character of young prostitute Rachel Posner, played by Rachel Brosnahan, wasn't initially intended to develop much further in the series, but creator and writer Beau Willimon spontaneously decided to give her more depth after meeting the actress.
Image: Flickr, Ken Lund
If you're from South Carolina, you probably already know this, but there really is a Peachoid in Underwood's hometown of Gaffney.
When director Joel Schumacher was summoned to helm the fifth episode, he didn't watch any of the previous episodes. Thus, he broke some of the filming rules set forth by Fincher, but said the notoriously tough director ended up loving the changes.
In one episode, Underwood looks into the camera menacingly, "You know what I love about people? They stack so well." Though Willimon is responsible for most of the show's scathing dialogue, that line was originally something Fincher himself once said. The director was on the set of his first film and dropped the line as a sarcastic response to a producer, who told him to be nicer to his cast. He recounted the story to Willimon, who immediately wrote it in the script.
Image: Netflix
The beautiful Hotel Cotesworth, where Claire Underwood throws a fabulous gala, was actually shot in a library in Maryland.

In the first episode, Underwood utters, "Now you might very well think that, but of course, I couldn't possibly comment." The phrase was lifted from the original, British House of Cards.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Image: Netflix