Political turmoil and humor can make for great television. From those based on real life, likeThe Crown, to those with a fictional premise likeAnatomy of a Scandal, telling the stories of political figures is a balancing act.These political shows on Netflix can re-contextualize lived realities, and shine new light on stories that were always thought to be true. Shows likeDesignated SurvivorandThe West Wingpaved the way for a genre of show that at best can inspire, and at worse, can repulse.
Netflix has an extensive catalog of political series that can inspire both hope and cynicism, ready to stream. Politics is not for those who are afraid of drama. Those who have reached the height of political power didn’t get there by making friends. This long game often translates well onto the small screen. Fiction or not, many political series that are featured on Netflix resonate with the real world.
18’The Whirlwind' (2024 - )
Created by Park Kyung-soo
For audiences looking for a fresh political thriller, look no further thanThe Whirlwind, a Korean limited series about two politicians vying for power. The 12-episode series starsSul Kyung-guas Prime Minister Park Dong-ho andKim Hee-aeas Deputy Prime Minister Jeong Soo-jin. When Dong-ho’s plans to assassinate the current president fail, Soo-jin embarks on her own agenda, a power struggle ensuing with the structure of South Korean politics hanging in the balance.
Viewers who thrive with strategic political games and the chess moves required to outwit the opposing side will findThe Whirlwinda satisfactory stream…
The average runtime of each episode is around 48 minutes,making it a binge-able breezeto get through.Viewers who thrive with strategic political games and the chess moves required to outwit the opposing side will findThe Whirlwinda satisfactorystream and a Korean drama series worth recommending.
Watch on Netflix
17’Treason' (2022)
Created by Matt Charman
Catering to fans of double-crossing spy thrillers,Treasonfits the bill to secure a spot as one of the best political series currently on Netflix.Charlie Coxstars as rising MI6 agent Adam Lawrence whose career and perception of his reality are about to be shattered when he is reunited with Kara (Olga Kurylenko), a Russian agent with whom he shares a complicated past. Adam now questions everything he thought he knew about his career and his life, wondering where to go from here.
A compelling and manageable five episodes,Treasonis the TV version of the Oscar-winning espionage thriller,Bridge of Spies. Where the series succeeds is inits full immersion in a fictional storyline, allowing audiences to willingly suspend belief to fully indulgein enjoying the suspense and genre double-crossing tropes.– Ali Teske
16’The Recruit' (2022 - )
Created by Alexi Hawley
With a second season on the way, audiences craving espionage thrillers have time to binge-watch this dramatic political thriller. Recruited right out of law school, attorney Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo) joins the CIA and quickly becomes entangled in the throes of international politics when a former CIA asset threatens to expose the agency’s long-term relationship with her.The Recruitwas halted after the first season, delayed by the industry strikes, but theNetflix original began filming its second seasonearlier this year.
Critics and audiences flocked to this series during its premiere for a number of reasons, including its breakout star, Noah Centineo, and its ability to exist without taking itself too seriously. Political dramas are frequently stone-cold, tackling serious subject matters while toeing the line of political opinions.TheRecruitcaters to a new generation of viewers who seek out relatable characters, like Owen, who fit a new moldin the genre formula.– Ali Teske
The Recruit
15’Mr. Sunshine' (2018)
Written by Kim Eun-sook
For political series audiences,Mr. Sunshinebrings a departure from the genre procedurals, infusing the single season with romance and drama. The Korean series starsSquid Game’sLee Byung-hunas Eugene Choi, an officer in the American military who fled Korea as a boy during the Shinmiyangyo Incident in 1871. When he returns as an adult, he falls for Ae-Sin (Kim Tae-ri), the daughter of a wealthy man; however, their relationship is complicated by the political landscape and efforts to colonize their homeland.
With only one season,Mr. Sunshineboasts a hefty 24 episodes, all over an hour long. A refreshing entry in Netflix’s political drama catalog,this Korean series requires dedication to binge but is worth every hour spent watchinga period romance unfold during a historic political moment.– Ali Teske
Mr. Sunshine
A young boy who ends up in the U.S. after the 1871 Shinmiyangyo incident returns to Korea at a historical turning point and falls for a noblewoman.
14’Your Honor' (2020 - 2023)
Created by Peter Moffat
For fans ofBreaking Bad, streamingYour Honorbrings yet another satisfyingBryan Cranstonperformance rooted in the good, the bad, and the corruption. The two-season Showtime original is currently on Netflix, detailing the blurring of ethical and judicial lines by Judge Michael Desiato after his son is involved in a fatal hit-and-run. Not just a courtroom drama,Your Honordives into political corruption and the politics of organized crime when Desiato’s son accidentally kills the son of a notorious mob boss.
In Cranston’s first major TV role since his iconic portrayal of Walter White, he dons another character with consistent morally gray choices before succumbing to committing full-fledged crimes to protect his family.Your Honortapered off with its surprising second season, but it isa political crime drama more than worth a marathon on its new streaming home.– Ali Teske
Your Honor
Your Honor is a legal drama series starring Bryan Cranston as a respected judge whose son becomes involved in a hit-and-run accident. The incident sets off a dangerous chain of events that forces the judge to confront his own principles and navigate the moral complexities of the law. The series explores themes of justice, loyalty, and ethics, offering a compelling narrative of a father’s desperate attempts to protect his son.
13’Ingobernable' (2017 - 2018)
Developed by Veronica Velasco, Epigmenio Ibarra, Natasha Ybarra-Klor
Ingobernableis a Mexican political drama, revolving around the fictional first lady of Mexico.Kate del Castillogives a stunning performance as a woman in the middle of the country’s biggest fictional political scandals. The show chronicles her loss of faith in institutions, as well as her husband, and the subsequent devastation.
While the actual political situations ofIngobernablemay err slightly on the fantastical side,this isa character-driven showthat’s fun to followfor its wild ride. The political show starts with a literal bang, and really never lets up. At the very least, this show keeps everyone guessing as the twists and turns get more severe, even if many of these shocking revelations aren’t quite rooted in reality.
12’Secret City' (2016 - 2019)
Directed by Emma Freeman, Tony Krawitz, and Daniel Nettheim
Based on the best-selling booksThe Marmalade Files,The Mandarin Code, andThe Shadow Game, the Australian political thriller series titledSecret Cityis a hidden gem for fans of the genre.Starring the underratedAnna Torvas political journalist Harriet Dunkley, the show takes place in the seemingly straightforward city of Canberra. As Harriet begins to unravel a conspiracy beneath the surface, her life comes under threat from forces beyond her control.
Secret Citysoars thanks to Torv’s compelling performance, which helps viewers navigate the sometimes tricky plot with ease. The story, though sometimes predictable, is well-structured enough to hold its own until the very end. Even fans who aren’t familiar with the books will likely find some entertainment value here.
Secret City
11’Anatomy of a Scandal' (2022)
Developed by David E. Kelley, Melissa James Gibson
Anatomy of a Scandalis a miniseries based onSarah Vaughan’s novel of the same name.Downton Abbey’sMichelle Dockeryis back on the small screen. Here, she’s a Crown prosecutor, tasked with prosecuting a British Tory MP accused of sexual assault. In six episodes, the court case unfolds, as well as the truth about the scandal.
AlthoughAnatomy of Scandalis a work of fiction, it feels all too real. Today’s politicians don’t have the ability to hide previous crimes as they used to be able to, with every move being documented on social media. The twists and turns may be predictable, but they are no less captivating, making this short Netflix series a must-watch for those with a bit of time on their hands.
Anatomy of a Scandal
10’The Politician' (2019 - 2020)
The Politicianis a comedic look at careers in public service gone awry. The first season follows Payton Hobart (Ben Platt), who has dreamed of being President of the United States since childhood. The second season follows Hobert as he runs for real politics, with chaos and dysfunction that makes for a hilarious train wreck.
What makesThe Politicianso engaging is the complete randomness of the storylines.The comedy may not land every time. When it does, thecomedic series is a meaningful biting commentaryon American politics. This is a message that resonates today, with some moments feeling jarringly familiar. The series is a frankly hilarious look at the unintended consequences of childhood wishes coming true.
The Politician
9’The Night Agent' (2023 - )
Created by Shawn Ryan
A combination of the spy, thriller, action, and political genres,The Night Agentis a refreshing and exciting Netflix series that thankfully already has a second season in the works. It follows FBI Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), who is given the supposedly boring role of a Night Agent in the White House’s basement, sitting by a phone that never rings – until it does. Before he understands what’s going on, Peter is thrust into a chaotic conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the government, and also touches on a painful part of his past.
Full of gripping action, heart-pounding drama, and genuinely lovable characters fans can root for,The Night Agenthas something to offer all types of viewers. Start watching for the political conspiracy and stay for the romance between Peter and the brilliant Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan) – whatever the reason, viewers will likely find themselves pleasantly surprised and eagerly waiting forThe Night AgentSeason 2’s events.
