Series about politics
List of political thriller/drama series. This is an international listing: I have mentioned the country where the series takes place.
This list only covers series where the story evolves around the political system, and not all series in which political systems play a role.
The order is random - use IMDb's sorting feature to order by name, year or IMDB rating. I have added my own ratings in the description.
This list only covers series where the story evolves around the political system, and not all series in which political systems play a role.
The order is random - use IMDb's sorting feature to order by name, year or IMDB rating. I have added my own ratings in the description.
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- CreatorAaron SorkinStarsMartin SheenRob LoweAllison JanneyInside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.United States (President)
9/10 - StarsJohn SimmDavid MorrisseyKelly MacdonaldJournalists uncover a government conspiracy when a young politician's assistant and mistress is killed.United Kingdom / England
8/10 - CreatorArmando IannucciStarsJulia Louis-DreyfusTony HaleAnna ChlumskyFormer Senator Selina Meyer finds that being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she hoped and everything that everyone ever warned her about.United States (Vice President). Based on "The Thick of It"
8/10 (After 4th season) - CreatorGreg BerlantiStarsSigourney WeaverCarla GuginoJames WolkA divorced former First Lady is currently serving as the Secretary of State. She deals with State Department issues while trying to keep her family together.United States (Secretary of State)
7/10 - StarsLars HemingstamAlexandra RapaportUlf FribergRight before Christmas Charlotte Ekeblad (Rapaport) is given an offer she hardly can refuse, to become a minister in the Swedish Parliament. As minister of environment she is put in a position with no greater power, yet the prime minister comes out as a modern and open minded leader with a young woman in his staff. Charlotte Ekeblad though, is torn between a family life as a woman, and the opportunity to make a career. In the middle of this stands a husband not really sure what to think of becoming number two in the family, and a resistance in the male domination of the government. The pressure builds up and the marriage starts to shake in its foundations. It's time for Charlotte to ask herself if the price for the ability to change is too high.Sweden (Based on novel that takes place in Denmark)
6/10 - StarsAlexandra RapaportSverrir GudnasonBahar ParsThe election night 2006 at the Social Democrats' election gathering. The election is lost and the struggle for power over the party begins.Sweden (Based on novel that takes place in Denmark)
7/10 - StarsSuzanne ReuterAlexandra RapaportSven AhlströmShe is exposed to death threats by an international terrorist network and is forced to live with Säpo guards around the clock. But Meyer's biggest problem is that she slowly falls ill in family disease Alzheimer's.Sweden (Based on novel that takes place in Denmark)
7/10 - StarsGreg KinnearBarry PepperKatie HolmesThe triumphs and tragedies of the most popular political family in American history.United States (quasi-historical)
6/10 - StarsPaul EddingtonNigel HawthorneDerek FowldsThe Right Honorable James Hacker has landed the plum job of Cabinet Minister to the Department of Administration. At last he is in a position of power and can carry out some long-needed reforms, or so he thinks.United Kingdom / England
7/10 - StarsPaul EddingtonNigel HawthorneDerek FowldsJames Hacker was propelled along the corridors of power to the very pinnacle of politics - Number 10.United Kingdom / England
7/10 - CreatorAdam PriceStarsSidse Babett KnudsenBirgitte Hjort SørensenSøren MallingA political drama about a prime minister's rise to power, and how power changes a prime minister.Denmark (The Folketing (parliament) with the Prime Minister as the protagonist)
7/10 - StarsAnne ConsignyFrédéric PierrotZinedine SoualemFirst woman freshly elected as French Republic president, Grace has to establish herself in a political landscape mainly dominated by men, while reconciling the hopes triggered by her win with the challenges of good governance.France: President
- StarsRobert LindsayMichael PalinDearbhla MolloyPolitician Michael Murray's life entwines with headmaster Jim Nelson's, changing their trajectories when their paths cross unexpectedly.United Kingdom / England
- StarsIan RichardsonSusannah HarkerMiles AndersonThe schemes of a ruthlessly ambitious British politician who will stop at nothing to get to the top.United Kingdom: Chief whip
Followed by To Play The King
7/10 - CreatorMaurice GranLaurence MarksStarsRik MayallMichael TroughtonMarsha FitzalanThe ultra right-wing Alan B'Stard, the most selfish, greedy, dishonest, sadistic and sociopathic Conservative MP of them all, plots to achieve his meglomaniacal ambitions.United Kingdom / England
- CreatorArmando IannucciStarsChris AddisonJames SmithPeter CapaldiThe Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.United Kingdom / England
7/10 (after 1st season) - CreatorFarhad SafiniaStarsKelsey GrammerConnie NielsenHannah WareMayor Tom Kane, diagnosed with a dementia disorder, struggles to keep his grip on power in Chicago.United States: Chicago (Local politics)
7/10 - StarsMichael MurphyPamela ReedDaniel JenkinsA behind-the-scenes look at a former Michigan U.S. Representative's campaign as he vies for his party's Presidential nomination.United States
- StarsJason IsaacsBen DanielsEva BirthistleAfter a plane explodes over Washington D.C. panic begins to envelop the British embassy, and its ambassador to the U.S. Mark Brydon finds himself caught up in a potentially damaging diplomatic incident.United Kingdom (Ambassador to the United States)
- StarsGordon PinsentMurray WestgateSuzanne LévesqueQuentin Durgens, M.P. was a CBC Canada television series, which aired on CBC Television from 1965 to 1969. It was one of the first hour-long drama series produced by the CBC, and helped to establish Gordon Pinsent as a major star in Canada. The character Quentin Durgens was a Federally elected Member Of Parliament and the stories revolved around him representing and getting involved in matters that affect the people in his electoral riding who elected him to office. The show was shot on location in Ottawa, Toronto and Moose Falls, Ontario,Canada
- StarsJuliet StevensonAnton LesserTrevor EveA woman's life is turned upside down when it is revealed that her husband, a member of the British Parliament, has been having an affair with a former prostitute.United Kingdom / England
- CreatorBen RichardsRobert JonesStarsAndrew BuchanShelley ConnAndrea RiseboroughFollows the lives of several young adults whose lives intertwine with their jobs in the Parliment of the United Kingdom.United Kingdom / England
- StarsHarry DitsonShelley PetersonBarry StevensFollows the life of a Deputy Minister of the Department of Regional Incentive TargetsCanada (Yes minister-remake)
- StarsPenelope KeithMark KingstonGarfield MorganJean Price is the idealistic, newly-elected Labour Party Member of Parliament for a deprived inner-city constituency. She must try to balance her work with her family life, learn the ways of the House and try to keep her principles.United Kingdom / England
- StarsRoman WilhelmiGrazyna BarszczewskaBronislaw PawlikAn unemployed man goes to Warsaw to look for a job. By accident he gets into the high society circles and starts a spectacular career.Poland
- CreatorMark FarrellPaul MatherKevin WhiteStarsFred EwanuickMary AshtonPaul BatesA man named Dan who doesn't know anything about politics decides to run for mayor of his city; Shenanigans ensue.Canada (Local government)
- CreatorIan BradleyAnne LucasStarsAlan FletcherNicki WendtJoseph SpanoA soap opera set in the Australian embassy to Ragaan, an imaginary South East Asian country.Australia (Embassy in Asia)
- CreatorGeoffrey AtherdenStarsGeoff MorrellZoe CaridesJohn ClaytonThe series is set around the fictional Arcadia Waters Council near Sydney, and was primarily a satirical look at the machinations of local government.Australia (Local government)
- CreatorSusan HarrisStarsPatty DukeTed BessellQuinn CummingsJulia Mansfield is the first woman to be elected President of the United States. In addition to dealing with the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, spies in the cabinet, and personal attacks by a conservative religious leader, she also has to handle such personal problems as an impotent husband and a sex scandal involving her son.United States
- StarsKevin HooksAl FannDavid GrafA new young mayor takes over when the previous office holder is ousted for being a criminal. Today it would be a reality show.United States (Local government)
- CreatorGary David GoldbergBill LawrenceStarsMichael J. FoxCharlie SheenHeather LocklearMike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York City, and his team of half-wits must constantly save the Mayor from embarrassment and the media. Mike is later succeeded by Charlie Crawford.United States: New York City
4/10 (I have only watched a few episodes) - CreatorSanto CilauroTom GleisnerRob SitchStarsLachy HulmeDavid JamesNeil MelvilleMockumentary that follows the daily situations in which the staff from the Australian Prime Minister find themselves.Australia
- StarsDamir AndreiJennifer DaleLawrence DaneCanada
- United Kingdom (Documentary series)
- StarsHaydn GwynneSimon JenkinsShirley WilliamsThe history of the people and ideas that formed Thatcherism, charting the events and the effects of Margaret Thatcher's years in power.United Kingdom (Documentary series)
- CreatorLawrence O'DonnellStarsJosh BrolinAudra McDonaldWilliam RussThe scandal-free son of a former Governor of California is appointed to be Senator, whereupon it's discovered he's an independent. Modern day Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonUnited States (Senate)
- DirectorRichard Curson SmithStarsSamantha MortonHenry Lloyd-HughesBen Lloyd-HughesCharting the rise of the Milliband brother, from their left-wing upbringing to their University days, using dramatized scenes and interviews with people who knew them.United Kingdom (Documentary series)
- CreatorRod LurieStarsGeena DavisDonald SutherlandHarry LennixMacKenzie Allen becomes the first woman American president after she ascends to the job following the death of president Teddy Bridges.United States: President
- StarsTakuya KimuraEri FukatsuAkira TeraoKeita Asakura, 35, a primary school teacher from rural Nagano Prefecture whose recently deceased father had been a dietman from Kyushu.Japan
- CreatorA.J. RussellS.S. SchweitzerStarsHal HolbrookMichael TolanKate HawleyHays Stowe is a new senator who comes to Washington DC with his wife Erin and daughter Norma. He arrives full of optimism that being on the side of justice can help him change things for the better. His chief aide Jordan Boyle is there to assist him.United States: Senate
- CreatorSally WainwrightStarsJane HorrocksSteven MackintoshJodhi MayThe story follows Mrs Ros Pritchard, a successful manager of a supermarket. When a couple of politicians make a spectacle of themselves outside her shop, Ros decides to stand for election herself.United Kingdom
- StarsMary McCormackJohn SlatteryRoger Guenveur SmithA semi-improvised lobbyist satire.United States (Lobbyists)
- CreatorSusan HarrisStarsRobert GuillaumeJames NobleInga SwensonJessica Tate's sharp-tongued former butler, Benson DuBois, moves up in the world, becoming first the governor's "director of household affairs," then the state's budget director, then lieutenant governor and candidate for the executive mansion.United States (Head of Household Affairs for a Governor)
- CreatorMark TavenerStarsStephen FryJohn BirdJames LanceThe inner workings of a successful PR firm - lying for a living.United Kingdom / England (Public relations company)
- StarsPaul GiamattiLaura LinneyJohn DossettThe life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.United States (historical)
8/10 - StarsJohn SheaE.G. MarshallGeraldine FitzgeraldBiography of the 1961-1963 Presidency of John F. Kennedy with Martin Sheen and Blair Brown. Covers the momentous presidential years and the lives, loves, and triumphs of one of the most controversial families of the twentieth-century.United States (historical)
- CreatorGreg DanielsMichael SchurStarsAmy PoehlerJim O'HeirNick OffermanThe absurd antics of an Indiana town's public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place.United States: Indiana (Local government)
7/10 (After 5th season) - StarsClaudia MichelsenKaroline TeskaIsabel HindersinGermany (Chancellor/Bundeskanzler)
- CreatorDavid SimonStarsDominic WestLance ReddickSonja SohnThe Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.United States: Baltimore (Season 3 focuses on politics)
7/10 (Season 3) - StarsIan RichardsonDiane FletcherPaul FreemanFrancis Urquhart, a seasoned politician, tries to establish his legacy before retirement by negotiating an end to the Cyprus , but the island hides secrets from his past that could destroy him.United Kingdom: Prime Minister
7/10 - StarsIan RichardsonMichael KitchenKitty AldridgeFrancis Urquhart, the unscrupulous but cunning Conservative Prime Minister, has his survival threatened by a liberal monarch and an upcoming General Election.United Kingdom: Prime Minister
Preceded by House of Cards (1990). Followed by The Final Cut.
7/10 - StarsRay McAnallyMarjorie YatesGeoffrey BeeversDisaster befalls the UK under a seemingly corrupt Conservative government. The Labour Party is elected - but committed to radical change, under a firmly left-wing leader. That's not supposed to happen. Who will save the traditional rulers?United Kingdom / England (Prime Minister)
- StarsChristopher EcclestonMark StrongGina McKeeDrama examining the politics and change across Britain from the Sixties to the Nineties seen through the varying fortunes of four friends.England: Newcastle (Local government)
- StarsDenis ConwayDon WycherleyEamonn HuntSet in Kerry, Ireland, the series is about a candidate for political office who forms an alliance with an unlikely partner when his campaign is not going according to plan.Ireland
- StarsDavid McCulloughSam WaterstonJulie HarrisA comprehensive survey of the American Civil War.United States (Historical)
- CreatorAaron SorkinStarsJeff DanielsEmily MortimerJohn Gallagher Jr.A newsroom undergoes some changes in its workings and morals as a new team is brought in, bringing unexpected results for its existing news anchor.United States (News TV station). The station Atlantis Cable News (ACN) is based in New York.
8/10 (After 2nd season) - CreatorBeau WillimonStarsKevin SpaceyMichel GillRobin WrightA Congressman works with his equally conniving wife to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him.United States: Senate (majority whip) in 1st season.
Loosely based on the British series House of Cards (1990).
8/10 (After 2nd season) - StarsMads BrüggerJakob S. BoeskovTravel documentary portraying Mads Cortzen and Jacob Boeschou, two long time admirers of the United States and supporters of President George W. Bush who now strive to convince Americans to vote for the Republican President.United States (Presidential election 2004, mockumentary)
7/10 - StarsChris TaylorAndrew HansenChas LicciardelloThe Chaser boys take on Australia's 2010 election.Australia (Satire)
- StarsAndrew HansenDominic KnightChas LicciardelloAustralia (Satire)
- StarsWilliam KattJordan BakerDick O'NeillThomas Bell's father is a congressman but poor health forces him to resign, so Thomas decides to run for his father's vacated position and wins. Now he looks at things in black and white but unfortunately runs into a lot of grey and is sometimes forced into compromising his convictions to get what he needs.United States: House of Representatives.
- CreatorAnders LenhoffStarsLoa FalkmanKatarina EwerlöfChatarina LarssonWhat if terrorist attack hit Stockholm? The city in flames. Thousands injured blocking the hospital. Will there be more attacks?Sweden: Terrorism commission.
6/10 - StarsKendra MungerJanet WoodAndy ForrestImagine that the next president of the United States is chosen on a reality TV show. The contestants will undergo bi-partisanship, personal contests, and grueling challenges. The winner will be selected as the next president of the United States.United States: Game show for presidential candidates
2/10 (I did not finish watching this) - CreatorMichael HirstStarsJonathan Rhys MeyersHenry CavillAnthony BrophyEpic series reveals the scandalous life of a young king whose affairs and obsession with producing a male heir changed marriage, the church, and the world.England: Henry VIII (King)
- CreatorBruno HellerWilliam J. MacDonaldJohn MiliusStarsKevin McKiddRay StevensonPolly WalkerA down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.Roman Empire
- StarsLisa HarrowLise HilboldtJames FoxVirginia-born Lady Astor is the first woman to sit in the Westminster Parliament. Her outspokenness in unpopular causes leaves her open to heartbreak, both public and private.England: Parliament (Nancy Astor)
- StarsMartin SheenMichael CallanWilliam DanielsThis television docudrama series traces the career of John Dean, President Nixon's special counsel.United States: White House Counsel (John Dean, Nixon Administration)
- StarsLasse KolsrudLasse LindtnerGisken ArmandNorway
- CreatorWayne GrigsbyStarsAmy Price-FrancisJeremy AkermanRobert BockstaelShannon Jennings, fresh out of university, finds herself immersed in the political backrooms of Ottawa in her new job as executive assistant to a federal Cabinet Minister.Canada (Executive assistant to a federal Cabinet Minister)
- StarsAri Ylä-AnttilaPertti SveholmAntti LitjaFinland
- StarsKô ShibasakiTakashi NaitôTakaaki IshibashiA political drama that sounds like a Japanese version of Britain's hilarious sendups, "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister". This drama was largely inspired by the arrival of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. "Let's Go, Nagatacho" has turned murky realities into compelling entertainment, a vivid and blunt illustration of Japanese politicians in ways they have almost never been shown before. The show's biggest star is the legislator's aide played by the highly popular comedian Ishibashi Takaaki. A critic writing in the Japan Times...called him the "perfect combination of obsequiousness and cunning.".Japan
- StarsBeat KiyoshiRyû ManatsuRô NaruseA dramatized biography of the second of Japan's three legendary leaders. Rising from obscurity, Hideyoshi served under the command of Oda Nobunaga. With an extrodinary combination of intelligence, bravery and military skill, Hideyoshi rose to near-absolute power and greatly expanded upon Nobunaga's unification of Japan's warlords. This series also focused on Hideyoshi's personal life, particularly his relationships with his mother and his wife, and the pair's rivalry for influence over him.Japan (Toyotomi Hideyoshi)
- StarsJirí StepnickaJaroslav MouckaJirina SvorcováCzechoslovakia: Prime Minister/President (Klement Gottwald)
- StarsHelen MirrenToby JonesHugh DancyMini-series about the the public and private lives of the later years of Queen Elizabeth I.England
- StarsRupert GravesCondoleezza RiceSergei IvanovFour-part documentary exploring how Russia has been resurrected by Vladimir Putin.Russia: President/Prime Minister (Putin). Documentary series.
8/10 - CreatorDavid W. RintelsStarsCliff RobertsonJason RobardsStefanie PowersThe story of a power-hungry U.S. President, and the men, with whom he surrounds himself, in order to keep his hold on power. Based on John Ehrlichman's book about the Nixon administration.United States: President (Based on Nixon administration)
- StarsHal HolbrookSada ThompsonMichael CristoferThe life of Abraham Lincoln is told in episodic parts.United States: President (Abraham Lincoln)
- CreatorElinor KarpfStephen KarpfStarsConstance TowersDebrah FarentinoRory CalhounFollow the political struggles for power and personal machinations between two conflicting families, the wealthy Cleggs and the middle-class McCandlesses.United States
- StarsSam WaterstonMary Tyler MooreRichard MulliganAfter arriving in Washington in 1861 after his election, Abraham Lincoln struggles with personal and political problems during his Presidency.United States: President (Abraham Lincoln)
- CreatorDavid CraneMarta KauffmanStarsJohn ForsytheHolland TaylorEve GordonThe exploits of a clueless American senator and the eccentric, morally corrupt people who are closest to him.United States: Senator
- CreatorTrey ParkerMatt StoneStarsTimothy BottomsCarrie Quinn DolinKurt FullerSomewhat dim President George W. Bush's White House more closely resembles the set of a sitcom than real life, down to the laugh track.United States: President (George Walker Bush)
5/10 - StarsJack AlbertsonLarry LinvilleSue Ane LangdonA crusty down-to-earth professor with no previous political experience is elected to the U.S. Senate.United States: Senate
- StarsMax PhippsJohn StantonJohn MeillonThe drama surrounding the dismissal of Mr. Gough Whitlam as the Labor Prime Minister of Australia - on 11 November, 1975 - by the then Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr - and the subsequent installation, in Parliament, of the Liberal 'caretaker government' and Mr. Malcolm Fraser as the 'caretaker' Prime Minister.Australia: Prime Minister (Gough Whitlam)
- StarsJohn NevilleSusan HampshireJohn StandingThe lives of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, and his wife Sarah.England (John Churchill)
- StarsSven NordinHenki KolstadEspen SkjønbergNorway
- StarsRémy GirardHarry StandjofskiMicheline LanctôtPuissances de l'ombre, hommes de paille, luttes féroces, manipulations et têtes sacrifiées à l'autel du pouvoir: telles sont les principales forces en présence de Bunker, dont le centre névralgique est le cabinet du premier ministre Christophe Lacroix. Ex-banquier, Lacroix marche plus souvent qu'autrement sur la corde raide; il doit donc s'appuyer sur le directeur des communications, Mathieu Prescott. Dans un univers où la rumeur prend littéralement forme humaine et se répand dans les corridors du pouvoirs, Prescott doit parfois mettre sa conscience en veilleuse au profit de son travail.Canada: Government of Quebec.
- CreatorJosh GadJon LovettJason WinerStarsJosh GadJenna ElfmanMartha MacIsaacPresident Gilcrest and his trophy wife are living in the White House, with their overachieving daughter sidetracked by pregnancy, a couch potato hopeless son, a genius young son, and an odd middle school girl.United States: President, first lady and their family.
5/10 - CreatorShonda RhimesStarsKerry WashingtonDarby StanchfieldKatie LowesA former White House Communications Director starts her own crisis management firm only to realize her clients are not the only ones with secrets.United States: Former White House communications director
5/10 (After 6th season) - CreatorGarry TrudeauStarsJohn GoodmanClark JohnsonMatt MalloyFour Republican senators share the same D.C. house rental, and face re-election battles, looming indictments, and parties -- all with a sense of humor.United States: 4 senators.
5/10 (After 2nd season) - CreatorMichelle KingRobert KingStarsJulianna MarguliesChris NothJosh CharlesAlicia Florrick has been a good wife to her husband, a former state's attorney. After a very humiliating sex and corruption scandal, he is behind bars. She must now provide for her family and returns to work as a litigator in a law firm.United States: Chicago. The story evolves about the wife of a State's Attorney.
7/10 - StarsAneurin BarnardRebecca FergusonAmanda HaleThree different, yet equally relentless women vie for the throne in 15th-century England.England: Royal family (15th century)
- CreatorGreg BerlantiSteven A. CohenBrad MeltzerStarsChristine LahtiMatt LongLogan LermanThe early life of Bobby McCallister, a progressive President of the United States from 2041 to 2049, is explored.United States: President (Faux documentary from 2049)
- StarsAntonio BanderasToni BertorelliValentina LainatiThe story of a young Benito Mussolini. It is the drama of a man whose lust for power unleashed a reign of terror - the chilling account of how an ambitious young schoolteacher became the ruthless dictator of Italy.Italy: Prime Minister (Benito Mussolini)
- StarsJesper AsholtJens AndersenRasmus BruunDenmark: (The Folketing (parliament) with a substitute MP as the protagonist)
5/10 - StarsDerek JacobiJohn HurtSiân PhillipsThe personal and governmental affairs of the Julio-Claudian dynasty at the beginning of the Roman Empire, as recalled by one of its rulers.Roman Empire: Claudius
- StarsIgal NaorShohreh AghdashlooMakram KhouryA mini-series that explores the inner workings of Saddam Hussein's family and his relationship with his closest advisors.Iraq: Saddam Hussein
- StarsOle DupontSusanne HackeKristian Hedegaard-PetersenIn this comedy series, lifetime mayor and informal king of Givsted town hall, Per Tommy Larsen (Lars Ranthe), has been ousted from office and replaced by the very tight and highly ambitious Christina Berg (Lærke Winther). Per Tommy Larsen now eyes his chance for a comeback to power, so the war is on. We soon learn to see, that gloves are off and no trick in the book is to be ruled out between the two combatants - not even a little romance.Denmark: Local politics
Sequel to Jul i Kommunen. - StarsLars RantheTroels Malling ThaarupMathilde NorholtDenmark: Local politics (Christmas show, 24 episodes)
Prequel to Valg i Kommunen.
5/10. The final 5 episodes were the best. - CreatorBarbara HallStarsTéa LeoniTim DalyErich BergenA political drama which looks into the life of the Secretary of State as she tries to balance work with family.USA: Secretary of State.
7/10 (after 3rd season)