'I was told I was getting equal pay and I believed them': Robin Wright, 51, reflects on gender pay gap with House Of Cards co-star Kevin Spacey as she poses topless in striking shoot

Published: 12:13 GMT, 18 May 2017 | Updated: 16:39 GMT, 18 May 2017

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Robin Wright, 51, has revealed her shock at finding out she was getting paid less than her House Of Cards co-star Kevin Spacey, 57 - despite being told they were on equal pay.

The acclaimed actress, who plays steely, vindictive First Lady Claire Underwood on the popular drama series, discussed the need to 'investigate' after the salary discrepancies came to light, as she went topless for a saucy snap.

As well as highlighting the gender pay gap to NET-A-PORTER’s weekly digital magazine, The EDIT, the star also spoke about feeling like she was 'missing out' after motherhood affected her acting career.

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'I was told we were getting equal pay': Robin Wright, 51, reflected on the moment she found out there was a gender pay gap on House of Cards, as she posed for a saucy topless shoot

Read between the lines like Robin in By Malene Birger trousers

By Malene Birger striped cotton-terry wide-leg pants

Get them at Net-a-Porter!

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If someone says striped trousers, a pair of officey pinstriped pants might spring to mind.

But check out the summery nautical-style trousers Robin Wright is modelling here in The EDIT. They're By Malene Birger and we love the cream and blue colour combo, as well as the cotton-terry fabric. The high waisted belted style and wide leg fit is super flattering, and they'd look great over a bikini at the beach or with a simple white tee or bodysuit for lunch.

Click the link (right) to buy Robin's trousers now from Net-a-Porter. £175 ain't bad to add some designer threads to your wardrobe!

Or earn your stripes in a pair of statement trousers from the edit below. Asos and Topshop have got some very budget-friendly options...

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...NOW GET SOME TROUSERS LIKE ROBIN'S

Robin looked absolutely incredible in the sizzling snap which saw her glance coquettishly at the camera while covering her modesty with her hands.

The Texas born beauty donned a pair of chic wide-leg pinstripe trousers while her shoulder length blonde locks were casually tousled to one side.

Clearly a natural in front of the camera, Robin has cemented her acting prowess on the Netflix mega-series - but admitted in The Edit interview to Garbage singer Shirley Manson that she took issue with her salary being less compared to Kevin.

'I was told that I was getting equal pay and I believed them, and I found out recently that it’s not true... so that’s something to investigate,' she stated about the discrepancies behind the show - which is set to debut season 5 soon.

'That's something to investigate': The acclaimed actress recently found out she was getting paid less than her co-star Kevin Spacey, 57, despite being told they were on an equal salary

'They are partners': Robin - who plays steely, vindictive First Lady Claire Underwood on the hugely popular Netflix House of Cards - was outraged after the salary discrepancies came to light as she defiantly pointed out their roles are 'equivalent'

Candid confession: As well as highlighting the gender pay gap to NET-A-PORTER’s weekly digital magazine, The EDIT, the star also spoke about feeling like she was 'missing out' after motherhood affected her acting career

'Claire and Francis are equivalent as far as their power, their union and the plot. I may not have as many scenes or words as Francis, but Claire doesn’t need to verbalise as much. Francis is an orator, a poet, a demonstrator.

'Claire is an [ego] that sits in the back and directs him, but they are partners on the same plane,' she continued to relay reasons why their roles were equal.

According to estimates made by The Huffington Post, Kevin was reportedly making $500,000 per episode ahead of the season 3 debut in 2014.

In comparison Robin made 5.5 million from the show between 2014 to 2015, averaging out at $420,000 per episode.

Robin been incredibly vocal about the gender pay gap in the acting business - as well as a slew other celebrities including Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain.

Character means business: The blonde beauty continued to describe the importance of her role, 'Claire is an [ego] that sits in the back and directs him, but they are partners on the same plane'

Gender pay gap: According to estimates made by The Huffington Post, Kevin was reportedly making $500,000 per episode ahead of the season 3 debut in 2014, while Robin averaged out at $420,000 per episode between 2014 to 2015

Meanwhile, given her major Hollywood status, Robin also claimed in the candid interview that motherhood has affected her acting career.

The eternal beauty has two children - Dylan, 26, and Hopper, 23 (both in the acting business) - with ex Sean Penn.

Explaining why she didn't attract certain roles, she stated: 'If you don’t play the game your notoriety doesn’t go up and then people don’t want to hire you. And it was twofold, because I was raising my kids, but I was also not getting parts.

'As a mother, I would never take that [decision] back, because I loved being there with my babies. But I knew I had missed out,' she reflected on her life with children.

Speaking out: Robin been incredibly vocal about the gender pay gap - Pictured attending the Kering Talks Women In Motion at the 70th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday

'I knew I had missed out': Despite her major Hollywood status, Robin also claimed in The Edit interview that motherhood has affected her acting career

Priorities: She was quick to add, 'As a mother, I would never take that [decision] back, because I loved being there with my babies. But I knew I had missed out'

Proud mamma! The eternal beauty has two children - Dylan, 26, and Hopper, 23 (both in the acting business) - with ex Sean Penn

And it doesn't seem likely that she'll miss out on roles in the future - especially with her set to take on the role of General Antiope in the new Wonder Women reboot - which also stars Gal Gadot and Chris Pine.

She spoke in depth about getting in shape for the action packed movie - the results of which were evident in her topless snap: 'Training for Wonder Woman changed my body.

'We would do horse riding for an hour, then drive from the stable to the studio and do weight training for an hour – heavy weights and short reps to build size quickly.

'We were trying to do 2-3,000 calories a day: raw oats in smoothies with avocado, whole milk and weight-gain powder, three times a day,' she relayed her formerly strict schedule.

'It changed my body': She also spoke about the gruelling fitness and exercise regime that helped her get in shape for the upcoming Wonder Women reboot

Power woman: The eternal star, who is premiering a short film at Cannes, was clearly in her element as she discussed the importance of women in cinema at the film festival

Sartorially savvy: Robin looked undeniably chic in a matching black trouser suit, with statement leopard print heels as she also discussed her directorial debut

While Robin promises to investigate the wage issue on House Of Cards, she will be seen resuming her role in the fifth season - which is set to premiere on Netflix on May 30.

It will follow on from the nail-biting moment President Francis 'Frank' Underwood declared a global war on terror to distract from controversy surrounding his campaign.

Meanwhile, Robin looked undeniably chic as she attended the Kering Talks Women In Motion event at the 70th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday.

The star, who is premiering a short film at Cannes, was clearly in her element as she discussed the importance of women in cinema, as well as her directorial debut at the film festival.

Eagerly anticipated: While Robin promises to 'investigate' the wage issue on House Of Cards, she will be seen resuming her role in the fifth season - which will premiere on Netflix on May 30

Continuing to shock: It will follow on from the nail-biting moment President Francis 'Frank' Underwood declared a global war on terror to distract from controversy surrounding his campaign