Who is Zoe Barnes in House of Cards?

The reporter who took the stairs · The Press

Zoe Barnes (The reporter who took the stairs) is a character in House of Cards, part of The Press. Zoe Barnes covers the Fairfax County Council for the Herald and wants the Metro desk like a hostage wants daylight. She offers herself to power as a delivery mechanism — texts, leaks, whatever the Whip is selling — and mistakes proximity for leverage longer than she can afford. Zoe is ambitious, modern, and very good; her error is assuming the man feeding her stories observes limits. He has mentioned, on camera, that he doesn't.

When does Zoe Barnes first appear?

Zoe Barnes first appears in Season 1, Episode 1 (“Chapter 1”) of House of Cards (2013–2018, Netflix).

Who is Zoe Barnes connected to?

Relationships already established when Zoe Barnes first appears — nothing from later episodes.

• Frank Underwood — Source and delivery mechanism

Who else is introduced in this episode?

• Frank Underwood — The whip who was passed over
• Claire Underwood — The other half of the arrangement
• Doug Stamper — The chief of staff who handles it
• Peter Russo — The congressman with two lives
• Linda Vasquez — The chief of staff who said no
• President Garrett Walker — The president in the middle

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