Russia nixes "House of Cards" filming at United Nations

Russia has denied a request to allow the Netflix series "House of Cards" to film in the U.N. Security Council chamber.

The show's producers approached the United Nations, and the 15 council members were asked whether they would allow the use of the chamber when the council wasn't in session, but Russia said "no," the diplomats said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.

Foreign Policy reports that the hit series wanted to shoot two episodes at the chamber. According to emails obtained by the news organization, Russia vetoed the request because it wanted to keep the room available in case an unanticipated crisis arose during filming.

France's U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud told reporters Wednesday: "It's disappointing for you, I guess, because you wanted to see the actors." The Washington-based series stars Kevin Spacey as conniving politician Francis Underwood and Robin Wright as his wife, Claire Underwood.

"It's reassuring because I think the actors would have seemed so much more elegant than we are, you know," Araud said, laughing.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's office reportedly recommended the Security Council let "House of Cards" film in its chamber during off-hours to raise public awareness about the organization. But don't count Frank Underwood out just yet -- Foreign Policy notes the show could still shoot in another section of the United Nations' New York headquarters.