Series about politics
by kezze | created - 03 Apr 2012 | updated - 3 months ago | PublicList 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.
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1. The West Wing (1999–2006)
TV-14 | 44 min | Drama
Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.
Stars: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer
Votes: 52,708
United States (President)
9/10
2. State of Play (2003)
TV-14 | 57 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
In London, a naive young politician becomes a suspect when his female assistant and mistress is killed in a suspicious accident. The politician's investigative journalist friend and his team uncover a government conspiracy.
Stars: John Simm, Kelly Macdonald, Bill Nighy, Philip Glenister
Votes: 8,214
United Kingdom / England
8/10
3. Veep (2012– )
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy
Former 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.
Stars: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott
Votes: 32,938
United States (Vice President). Based on "The Thick of It"
8/10 (After 4th season)
4. Political Animals (2012– )
TV-14 | 360 min | Drama
A 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.
Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Carla Gugino, James Wolk, Sebastian Stan
Votes: 5,529
United States (Secretary of State)
7/10
5. Kronprinsessan (2006)
232 min | Drama
Right 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 ... See full summary »
Stars: Lars Hemingstam, Alexandra Rapaport, Ulf Friberg, Kenneth Milldoff
Votes: 166
Sweden (Based on novel that takes place in Denmark)
6/10
6. Kungamordet (2008)
230 min | Drama
Stars: Sven Ahlström, Adel Ahmad, Morgan Alling, Mikael Alsberg
Votes: 157
Sweden (Based on novel that takes place in Denmark)
7/10
7. Drottningoffret (2010–2011)
176 min | Drama
Stars: Suzanne Reuter, Alexandra Rapaport, Sven Ahlström, Annika Hallin
Votes: 81
Sweden (Based on novel that takes place in Denmark)
7/10
8. The Kennedys (2011– )
TV-14 | 346 min | Drama, History, Romance
The triumphs and tragedies of the most popular political family in American history.
Stars: Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Katie Holmes, Tom Wilkinson
Votes: 6,516
United States (quasi-historical)
6/10
9. Yes Minister (1980–1984)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy
The 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.
Stars: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott
Votes: 9,631
United Kingdom / England
7/10
10. Yes, Prime Minister (1986–1987)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
James Hacker was propelled along the corridors of power to the very pinnacle of politics - No. 10.
Stars: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott
Votes: 7,167
United Kingdom / England
7/10
11. Borgen (2010–2013)
TV-14 | 58 min | Drama
A political drama about a prime minister's rise to power, and how power changes a prime minister.
Stars: Sidse Babett Knudsen, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Emil Poulsen, Freja Riemann
Votes: 13,960
Denmark (The Folketing (parliament) with the Prime Minister as the protagonist)
7/10
12. L'état de Grace (2006– )
52 min | Comedy, Drama
Stars: Anne Consigny, Frédéric Pierrot, Zinedine Soualem, Yves Jacques
Votes: 26
France: President
13. G.B.H. (1991– )
567 min | Drama
Michael Murray is an ambitious and charismatic politician, Jim Nelson is a much loved headmaster of a local school for disturbed children. When the paths of these two men cross, things are ... See full summary »
Stars: Robert Lindsay, Michael Palin, Dearbhla Molloy, Alan Igbon
Votes: 555
United Kingdom / England
14. House of Cards (1990)
TV-14 | 226 min | Drama
The schemes of a ruthlessly ambitious British politician who will stop at nothing to get to the top.
Stars: Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Miles Anderson, Alphonsia Emmanuel
Votes: 10,873
United Kingdom: Chief whip
Followed by To Play The King
7/10
15. The New Statesman (1987–1992)
70 min | Comedy
The 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.
Stars: Rik Mayall, Michael Troughton, Marsha Fitzalan, Terence Alexander
Votes: 1,903
United Kingdom / England
16. The Thick of It (2005–2012)
TV-MA | 29 min | Comedy
Set in the corridors of power and spin, the Minister for Social Affairs, is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
Stars: Chris Addison, James Smith, Peter Capaldi, Joanna Scanlan
Votes: 15,829
United Kingdom / England
7/10 (after 1st season)
17. Boss (2011–2012)
TV-MA | 56 min | Crime, Drama
Mayor Tom Kane, diagnosed with a dementia disorder, struggles to keep his grip on power in Chicago.
Stars: Kelsey Grammer, Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner
Votes: 16,174
United States: Chicago (Local politics)
7/10
18. Tanner '88 (1988– )
Not Rated | 353 min | Comedy
A behind-the-scenes look at a former Michigan U.S. Representative's campaign as he vies for his party's Presidential nomination.
Stars: Michael Murphy, Pamela Reed, Daniel Jenkins, Matt Malloy
Votes: 663
United States
19. The State Within (2006)
360 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
After 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.
Stars: Jason Isaacs, Ben Daniels, Eva Birthistle, Neil Pearson
Votes: 2,085
United Kingdom (Ambassador to the United States)
20. Quentin Durgens, M.P. (1966–1971)
60 min
Stars: Jean Cavall, Eric Grouix, Suzanne Lévesque, Gordon Pinsent
Votes: 11
Canada
21. The Politician's Wife (1995– )
185 min | Drama
A 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.
Stars: Juliet Stevenson, Trevor Eve, Anton Lesser, Ian Bannen
Votes: 442
United Kingdom / England
22. Party Animals (2007– )
Drama
Follows the lives of several young adults whose lives intertwine with their jobs in the Parliment of the United Kingdom.
Stars: Andrew Buchan, Shelley Conn, Andrea Riseborough, Matt Smith
Votes: 463
United Kingdom / England
23. Not My Department (1987– )
30 min
Stars: Babs Hopkinson, Lynette Louise, Geraint Wyn Davies, Harry Ditson
Votes: 7
Canada (Yes minister-remake)
24. No Job for a Lady (1990–1992)
30 min | Comedy
Jean 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.
Stars: Penelope Keith, Mark Kingston, Garfield Morgan, Paul Young
Votes: 59
United Kingdom / England
25. Ekipa (2007– )
60 min | Drama
Stars: Katarzyna Herman, Rafal Mackowiak, Marcin Perchuc, Krzysztof Stroinski
Votes: 176
Poland
26. Kariera Nikodema Dyzmy (1980– )
50 min | Comedy
An unemployed man goes to Warsaw to look for a job. By accident he gets into the high society circles and starts a spectacular career.
Stars: Roman Wilhelmi, Grazyna Barszczewska, Bronislaw Pawlik, Mariusz Dmochowski
Votes: 243
Poland
27. Dan for Mayor (2010– )
30 min | Comedy
A man named Dan who doesn't know anything about politics decides to run for mayor of his city; Shenanigans ensue.
Stars: Fred Ewanuick, Mary Ashton, Paul Bates, Benjamin Ayres
Votes: 521
Canada (Local government)
28. Embassy (1990–1992)
50 min | Drama
A soap opera set in the Australian embassy to Ragaan, an imaginary South East Asian country.
Stars: Alan Fletcher, Nicki Wendt, Joseph Spano, Frankie J. Holden
Votes: 20
Australia (Embassy in Asia)
29. Grass Roots (2000–2003)
50 min | Comedy
The series is set around the fictional Arcadia Waters Council near Sydney, and was primarily a satirical look at the machinations of local government.
Stars: Geoff Morrell, Zoe Carides, John Clayton, Rhondda Findleton
Votes: 72
Australia (Local government)
30. Hail to the Chief (1985– )
30 min | Comedy
Julia 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 ... See full summary »
Stars: Patty Duke, Ted Bessell, Quinn Cummings, Ricky Paull Goldin
Votes: 42
United States
31. He's the Mayor (1986– )
30 min | Comedy
A new young mayor takes over when the previous office holder is ousted for being a criminal. Today it would be a fantasy show.
Stars: Kevin Hooks, Al Fann, David Graf, Wesley Thompson
Votes: 16
United States (Local government)
32. Spin City (1996–2002)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Mike 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.
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Charlie Sheen, Heather Locklear, Richard Kind
Votes: 23,493
United States: New York City
4/10 (I have only watched a few episodes)
33. The Hollowmen (2008)
27 min | Comedy, Drama
Mockumentary that follows the daily situations in which the staff from the Australian Prime Minister find themselves.
Stars: Lachy Hulme, David James, Neil Melville, Rob Sitch
Votes: 514
Australia
Canada
36. Tory! Tory! Tory! (2006– )
60 min | Documentary
The history of the people and ideas that formed Thatcherism, charting the events and the effects of 'Margaret Thatcher''s years in power.
Stars: Haydn Gwynne, Simon Jenkins, Shirley Williams, Michael Dobbs
Votes: 18
United Kingdom (Documentary series)
37. Mister Sterling (2003– )
60 min | Drama, Romance
The 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 Washington
Stars: Josh Brolin, Audra McDonald, William Russ, David Norona
Votes: 134
United States (Senate)
38. Miliband of Brothers (2010 TV Movie)
48 min | Documentary, Drama
Charting 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.
Director: Richard Curson Smith | Stars: Samantha Morton, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Katherine Kanter
Votes: 9
United Kingdom (Documentary series)
39. Commander in Chief (2005–2006)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama
MacKenzie Allen becomes the first woman American president after she ascends to the job following the death of president Teddy Bridges.
Stars: Geena Davis, Donald Sutherland, Harry Lennix, Kyle Secor
Votes: 3,113
United States: President
Japan
41. The Bold Ones: The Senator (1970–1971)
60 min | Drama
Hays 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 ... See full summary »
Stars: Hal Holbrook, Michael Tolan, Kate Hawley, Sharon Acker
Votes: 53
United States: Senate
42. The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006– )
60 min | Comedy, Drama
The 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 ... See full summary »
Stars: Jane Horrocks, Steven Mackintosh, Jodhi May, Jemma McKenzie-Brown
Votes: 437
United Kingdom
43. K Street (2003– )
30 min | Comedy, Drama
A semi-improvised lobbyist satire.
Stars: Mary McCormack, John Slattery, Roger Guenveur Smith, James Carville
Votes: 241
United States (Lobbyists)
44. Benson (1979–1986)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Jessica 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.
Stars: Robert Guillaume, James Noble, Inga Swenson, Missy Gold
Votes: 2,349
United States (Head of Household Affairs for a Governor)
45. Absolute Power (2003– )
29 min | Comedy
The inner workings of a successful PR firm - lying for a living.
Stars: Stephen Fry, John Bird, James Lance, Zoe Telford
Votes: 836
United Kingdom / England (Public relations company)
46. John Adams (2008)
TV-14 | 71 min | Biography, Drama, History
The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, John Dossett, Stephen Dillane
Votes: 23,527
United States (historical)
8/10
47. Kennedy (1983)
282 min | Biography, Drama, History
Biography of the 1961-1963 Presidency of John F. Kennedy.
Stars: John Shea, E.G. Marshall, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Andrew Rayden
Votes: 456
United States (historical)
48. Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy
The absurd antics of an Indiana town's public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place.
Stars: Amy Poehler, Jim O'Heir, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt
Votes: 158,796
United States: Indiana (Local government)
7/10 (After 5th season)
49. Kanzleramt (2005– )
45 min | Drama
Stars: Claudia Michelsen, Isabel Hindersin, Karoline Teska, Markus Boysen
Votes: 22
Germany (Chancellor/Bundeskanzler)
50. The Wire (2002–2008)
TV-MA | 59 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Baltimore drug scene, seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.
Stars: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Wendell Pierce
Votes: 228,279
United States: Baltimore (Season 3 focuses on politics)
7/10 (Season 3)
51. The Final Cut (1995)
206 min | Drama