Members of the Russian art-punk protest group Pussy Riot Nadezhda “Nadya” Tolokonnikova and Maria “Masha” Alyokhina appeared on Season 3 of House of Cards during a dinner scene at the White House, where they verbally made a stand at a fictional Russian President, Viktor Petrov.
The state dinner was hosted by the U.S. President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), first lady Claire Underwood and other politicians — the duo, as well as activist Pyotr Verzilov, interrupted the Kremlin leader’s toast before dumping their champagne and smashed their glasses before staging a walkout.
The episode ended with a Pussy Riot song performed in full florescent balaclava costume. After serving 18 months in prison for participating in an anti-Putin punk protest, in Moscow’s main cathedral, Pussy Riot remain under the close watch of the Russian state. It would come as no surprise if the women defected to a quieter life in the west.