Was House of Cards the First Netflix Original Series?

House of Cards (Netflix, 2013) is widely cited as a landmark in streaming television, but whether it was technically the “first” Netflix original depends on how “original” is defined. This explainer clarifies the distinction between Netflix originals produced in-house, Netflix co-productions, and earlier Netflix-commissioned series. It also outlines key dates, business context, and how House of Cards fits into Netflix’s broader shift toward original content, providing a fact‑checked timeline for understanding its true pioneering role.