Season 3 of popular Netflix drama House of Cards aired on Friday, bringing notorious lead character Frank Underwood back into the spotlight.

The series follows career politician Frank Underwood and his wife Claire as they railroad everyone around them in their quest for power. Set in Washington DC, the fictional drama exposes the dirty deals and hidden scandals that characterise high-stakes politicking in the free world.

The show has been a huge hit - since House of Cards' release, Netflix's stock has nearly tripled to about $480 while its Internet video service has grown subscribers by 24 million subscribers to 57 million. Half of those gains have come in the U.S, reports CNBC.

Season three has caused a stir on social media too, with fans venting their frustrations, hopes and outrage at the drama's twists and turns as they happen.

Since Netflix releases House of Cards the entire season in one big chunk, fans expect to binge watch the series over the weekend:

And they live-tweeted their experience:

Plenty of jokes were made about House of Cards' irresistible lure:

With so much talk on the internet some begged people to avoid posting spoilers:

The question is, will you watch House of Cards in one sitting?