In a move even the Machiavellian Frank Underwood could envisage, Russia has vetoed the filming of ‘House of Cards’ in the UN Security Council chamber.

Producers of the critically-acclaimed Netflix drama 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".

Diplomats say Russian bureaucrats claimed there is a need to keep the world’s security chamber available at a moment’s notice for unanticipated crises.

The veto comes despite previous backing from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon who believed it would help raise awareness about the organisation.

"It's disappointing for you, I guess, because you wanted to see the actors," France's UN Ambassador Gerard Araud told reporters Wednesday. "It's reassuring because I think the actors would have seemed so much more elegant than we are, you know," Araud added, laughing.

The Washington-based series stars Kevin Spacey as conniving politician Francis Underwood and Robin Wright as his wife.