Ahead Of Season 2 Bow, 'House Of Cards' Is Renewed For Season 3

We're still over a week away from the Valentines' Day release of 'House of Cards' season two, but Netflix bosses have seen plenty enough of the new instalment to commission a third season.

The drama, which confirmed Netflix as a major distributor of quality original programming, won critical praise for its tale of a corrupt congressman played by Kevin Spacey trying to scheme his way into a top job at the White House.

The Netflix model of creating original programming doesn't depend on audience numbers, and the streaming service has never offered information about how many people actually watch its shows.

Still, House of Cards is clearly chiming with Netflix's audience and Ted Sarandos, the chief content officer for Netflix, has previous stated that he believed the show could extend for several more reasons, telling a panel in November, "I think if you look at the original House of Cards, there was a natural third season, and we could go well beyond that."

All 13 episodes of House of Cards season two will become available at the same time, on February 14, 2014. Spacey and the rest of the principle cast, including Robin Wright and Kate Mara, are to return for season three.

The first season of House of Cards snagged nine prime-time Emmy nominations. Robin Wright won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Spacey's wife.