Are 'House of Cards' Francis & Claire Underwood Based on Bill & Hillary Clinton?

House of Cardsstars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright set the record straight about the basis for their characters during a sit down with ET.

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Many comparisons have been made between Francis and Claire Underwood and Bill and Hillary Clinton, such as Claire's political ambitions and Francis' use of her popularity with the public, but the actors tell ET that the Clintons have nothing to do with their characters.

"They'll always compare us not just to [Bill and Hillary Clinton] but lots of political couples," Spacey told ET. "We're not basing our characters on anybody, but I suppose that's just par for the course."

While her character may not be based on a particular person, Wright's wardrobe -- full of tailored suits and neutral colors -- has been modeled off of a D.C. paradigm.

"Classic sexy," Wright said in describing Claire's look. "We were trying to remain within the conservativism that we think D.C. accepts. We'll look up 1940s patterns from Sears, Roebuck & Co."

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The 48-year-old actress is in the new Vanity Fair issue wearing designer clothing from Riccardo Tisci and Ferragamo. A late bloomer in her career because she helped raise her two children with ex Sean Penn, Wright said she's since found love again with 34-year-old actor Ben Foster.

"She's never been happier," said Sam Kashner, Vanity Fair contributing editor, said. "She's never been more satisfied and she's even the happiest she's ever been in the sack!"

Vanity Fairhits newsstands March 17.

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