Expect the political unpredictable, says House Of Cards' Kevin Spacey

House Of Cards star Kevin Spacey has described it as "silly" to compare the hit Netflix show to 2016 US presidential politics.

Spacey, who plays power-hungry president Francis Underwood in the political drama, walked the red carpet for the show's Washington DC season four premiere.

The latest series is set in an election year - but there is no point in looking for similarities between the award-winning show and the presidential race, according to the show's leading man.

Asked what is more surprising - the upcoming season of House Of Cards or real life 2016 presidential politics in the US - Spacey, 56, said: "It's sort of silly to compare the two because they're both a little bit unpredictable and audiences have no idea where we're going to go and what we're going to do. And that's, I think, part of the enjoyment that an audience has - they don't really know."

Talking about the real world, he said: "I mean now it's becoming a little bit predictable what's going to happen. But you know at the same time I happen to believe that we get what we deserve.

"And Edward R Murrow warned us in 1964 that when news divisions decide the news has to make money and has to get ratings it's no longer news, it's entertainment.

"So if people are bothered by the fact that we seem to be having entertainment as news, it's because the news divisions decided that money and ratings were more important than reporting."

Spacey stars alongside Robin Wright who plays his wife Claire and the pair have always been each other's strongest allies. But cracks started to show in their relationship at the end of the last series and fans will be eager to see what lies ahead for the power couple.

Despite Spacey's assertions that reality should not be confused with fiction, his co-stars joked about how Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump would fit into the show.

Elizabeth Marvel, who plays Underwood's political rival Heather Dunbar, said her character would "probably make mincemeat" of Mr Trump.

"I think in a debate, Heather Dunbar and Hillary Clinton would eat him for lunch," she said. Asked what she thinks it would mean for America if Underwood became the real life president, the actress said: "Well considering where we're at right now, there are worse choices in front of us."

Michael Kelly, who plays Underwood's chief of staff Doug Stamper, said the president and Doug - known for their less than squeaky-clean behaviour - would "destroy" Mr Trump in what would be a "comical" scenario, adding that he would be an "easy opponent" for Underwood.

Meanwhile, asked about the EU referendum, Spacey said: "I appreciate you asking me the question, but I am not a British citizen, I am a resident of Great Britain.

"And I have never in my 12 years ever gotten involved in politics in Great Britain. I think it's inappropriate for me as a, really as a guest, in Great Britain, so I'll leave that to the British people."

House Of Cards is an adaptation of the BBC's mini-series of the same name, based on the novel by Michael Dobbs.

All 13 episodes of the fourth season will be available to watch on Netflix on March 4.

The National Portrait Gallery, where the red carpet event took place, also unveiled a portrait of Spacey.

Artist Jonathan Yeo portrayed the star as his House Of Cards character President Underwood.