It seems like the political news cycle has really taken over our lives these days. Whether you’re scrolling through apps on your phone, glimpsing a newspaper in line at the coffee shop, or just having a conversation with a friend, it’s a fair bet that the political situation is going to make an appearance. And while the constant drama can be fascinating, sometimes you wish there were a few more degrees of separation between the ongoing soap opera that politics can be in the present day.
Luckily, there are a number of riveting dramas, hilarious comedies, and compelling political histories that will get you your fill of political intrigues, gaffes, and landmarks without having to think too much about current events.
10Versailles
It only ran for three seasons, but this French historical drama took on one of the most fascinating leaders of all time: Louis XIV, the Sun King, whose record-breaking 72-plus-year reign is still synonymous with opulence, luxury, culture, and intellectualism. English actor George Blagden played the title role, portraying the king in the late 1660s as he moved his court to the small town of Versailles, where he proceeded to renovate the palace into what it is today. Is the show historically accurate? Largely.
Does it conveniently twist and compress chronologies for maximum drama? Yes. Does it play up the tawdrier angles of life at court? Of course. But as long as you don’t mind the show getting a little loose with the facts, it’s a sumptuous examination of a remarkable time in French history, with filming taking place at the actual Palace of Versailles, as well as other significant French châteaux.
Kerry Washington was in her elementover seven seasons as Olivia Pope, who runs a Washington, D.C. crisis management team. Pope and her staff investigate spies, assassination attempts on the life of the President, murders, affairs, and more. In what should probably be a clear conflict of interest, Pope is having an affair with the president, Fitzgerald Grant III (Tony Goldwyn). The show features divorces and plane crashes, blackmail, and embezzlement, making it an enjoyably tabloid-ized version of a political drama than a factual one.
The former First Lady becomes the first female president; Pope has to murder a Vice-President, all sorts of spouses and family members are trying to kill each other, with varying degrees of success. It is, however, inspired by fact: Shonda Rhimes loosely based the character of Olivia Pope on the crisis management work ofBush administration press aide Judy Smith.
8Chief of Staff
Two years before he hit the international big-time starring as Seong Gi-hun in 2021’sSquid Game,Lee Jung-jaestarred in two seasons ofChief of Staff, a South Korean political drama. Lee portrayed Jang Tae-jun, a former detective who has transitioned to politics, working as the chief of staff for a career politician, a job that requires all of his skills as a stoic, hard-nosed ladder-climber. Jang is having an affair with a lawyer and TV journalist turned rookie lawmaker named Kang Seon-yeong (Shin Min-A).
Both Lee and Jang (who work for opposing parties) are extremely ambitious, with plans to progress far beyond their current responsibilities, which of course complicates their secret romance. If you like your driven protagonists fighting political corruption while trying to keep their relationship under wraps, you’ll have a good time bingeing this one.
7House of Cards
You’re likely familiar with the American political dramaHouse of Cards, which spanned six seasons and notoriously filmed itsfinal seasonwithout the involvement of its star, Kevin Spacey. But the story of Frank Underwood, a South Carolina Democrat who, along with his wife Claire, claws his way up from Congress to the White House. But it was adapted from a four-episode British political thriller which is widely considered one of the best British shows of all time.
Ian Richardson starred as Francis Urquhart, a manipulative, Machiavellian Conservative Party member who eventually rises to the position of Prime Minister. Along with its clear Shakespearean inspirations (MacbethandRichard IIIin particular), the show was notable for Urquhart’s penchant for breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly.
6The Crown
The Peter Morgan-written historical drama has become one of the biggest television sensations of the decade, examining the lives of the British royal family beginning with the 1947 marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, and racing towards the present-day, with the sixth season now in the works. With a reign of 70 years, Queen Elizabeth had a front row seat for countless political events both in England and abroad, and events covered in the show include the Suez Crisis, the Profumo Affair, and numerous prime ministers coming and going against the backdrop of the trials and tribulations of the royals.
LikeVersailles,The Crownsometimes trades historical accuracy for intrigue, but to great effect, and boasts a constantly shifting star-studded cast as time goes on, including performances from Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Jared Harris, John Lithgow, Helena Bonham-Carter, Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton, Gillian Anderson, Olivia Colman, and many more.
Related:Here’s What to Watch if You Can’t Get Enough of the British Royal Family
5Wolf Hall
If it’s facts you’re looking for in your political drama, you’re able to’t do better than the two seasons ofWolf Hall. Based on the first two books of Hilary Mantel’s meticulously researched trilogy,Wolf HallandBring Up the Bodies, the series starred the incredibly gifted Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer who rose to become Henry VIII’s chief minister before falling out of favor and eventually being beheaded on orders from the king. The show follows Cromwell from his earlier days in service to Cardinal Wolsey, who was himself disgraced and probably would have suffered a similar fate had he not died before punishment.
It’s a detailed and nuanced look into the intricate political machinations that went on in and around the court of Henry VIII (masterfully portrayed by Damian Lewis), from his numerous marriages and assignations to his constantly shifting political alliances (and the overlap therein) where the wrong word to the wrong person could result in a swift downfall.
4The Thick of It
This British ensemble satire was the brainchild of Armando Ianucci, who also adapted it into a feature film,In the Loop, and created an American show that worked along the same lines,Veep(see below). The cast included Peter Capaldi, Joanna Scanlan, and Roger Allam, and the show focused on a newly-conceived-of government department much like the Cabinet Office, which had the benefit of having the aides, spin doctors, and advisers dealing with many different political departments in the plot.
Inspired by the classic British sitcomYes, Minister, the dialogue was sharp, coarse, and largely improvised, and it was filmed documentary-style. The show had a huge impact on British culture, even getting a word it coined, ‘omnishambles’ used in Parliament.
3The West Wing
Aaron Sorkin’s White House-set series set the bar high for American political drama, a talented ensemble cast including Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Alison Janney, Alan Alda, and Stockard Channing performed Sorkin’s trademark whip-smart writing to critical acclaim over seven seasons (although Sorkin departed after season 4), making it one of the best-received television shows ever.
The plot follows the president (Martin Sheen, succeeded by Jimmy Smits) and senior members of the Oval Office staff as they deal with the everyday highs and lows of political office. It may be better scripted than real life, but many real-life staffers, politicians, and journalists have praised the show for its realistic approach.
Related:Every Main Character on the West Wing, Ranked
Julia Louis-Dreyfus scored another career-defining role as Vice President Selina Meyer in this semi-adaptation of Armando Ianucci’sIn the Loop(see above). Along with her chief of staff Amy (Anna Chlumsky), communications director Mike (Matt Walsh), and assistant Gary (Tony Hale), among others, Selina bumbles her way through political life, offending just about everyone she comes into contact with while trying to scheme herself and her office into a better position, hopefully that of the president.
The show ran from 2012 to 2019, a time when American politics were in a huge state of upheaval, and although the show’s premises were often ridiculous, they were ofteneerily predictiveof the political events of the time. The sitcom was critically acclaimed, and regularly was nominated for myriad awards, including for the stellar ensemble cast.
This riveting Danish drama spanned four seasons and starred Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg, a centrist parliament member thrust into the spotlight when she is unexpectedly elected Prime Minister, making her the first Danish female to hold the position. The plot focuses on the day-to-day sacrifices Nyborg must make, both personally and politically, to hold onto her tenuous position. Rounding out the main cast are Nyborg’s spin doctor, Kasper Juul (Pilou Asbæk), a young man with loose morals and a tragic past, and Katrine Fønsmark (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen), a ruthlessly driven tv news anchor (and Juul’s ex).
The show is brilliant at showing the constant political games and shifting alliances that comprise a government, with nothing ever coming for free, as well as the dreadful toll that a political role can take on one’s home life, as Nyborg’s once happy home begins to crumble almost as soon as she accepts the nomination for prime minister. The show succeeds by never descending into soap opera territory, and showcasing flawed and believable yet endearing characters.
