For this list, we're sticking with fictional narrative shows, rather than political satire like The Daily Show or Saturday Night Live. And this list is not limited to politics in the United States, it can be other countries or other universes.
U.S. Rep. Francis Underwood of South Carolina starts out as a ruthless politician seeking revenge in this Netflix original production. Promised the post of Secretary of State in exchange for his support, his efforts help to ensure the election of Garrett Walker to the presidency. But Walker changes his mind before the inauguration, telling Underwood he's too valuable in Congress. Outwardly, Underwood accepts his marching orders, but secretly he and his wife Claire, an environmental activist, make a pact to destroy Walker and his allies. As the series progresses, Underwood ascends through the ranks of the government -- until his death, at which point Claire gains power. Based on the U.K. miniseries of the same name, the U.S. version offers a look behind the scenes at the greed and corruption in American politics. A number of real-life media figures make cameo appearances.
Firefly is a western on space that mirrors the US civil war and the aftermath of it. It has a massive cult following and was created into a movie due to popular demand, called "Serenity". If you liked Serenity, you'll love Friefly
3
John Adams (2008)
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Net: 4 Score: 100%
Adapted from David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, this lavish seven-part miniseries chronicles the life of Founding Father John Adams, starting with the Boston Massacre of 1770 through his years as an ambassador in Europe, then his terms as vice president and president of the United States, up to his death on July 4, 1826.
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The Wire (2002)
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Net: 4 Score: 100%
This series looks at the narcotics scene in Baltimore through the eyes of law enforcers as well as the drug dealers and users. Other facets of the city that are explored in the series are the government and bureaucracy, schools and the news media. The show was created by former police reporter David Simon, who also wrote many of the episodes.
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Battlestar Galactica (2004)
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Net: 3 Score: 100%
This update of the late-1970s programme takes a decidedly darker tone as what's left of humankind struggles for survival against the robot Cylons, who have killed millions. The Galactica, led by William Adama, protects a patched-together fleet of civilians - led by de facto president Laura Roslin - in search of a mythical planet called Earth.
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Parks and Recreation (2019)
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Net: 3 Score: 100%
Leslie Knope, a midlevel bureaucrat in an Indiana Parks and Recreation Department, hopes to beautify her town (and boost her own career) by helping local nurse Ann Perkins turn an abandoned construction site into a community park, but what should be a fairly simple project is stymied at every turn by oafish bureaucrats, selfish neighbours, governmental red tape and a myriad of other challenges. Leslie's colleague Tom Haverford, who delights in exploiting his position for personal gain, is as likely to undermine her efforts as to help her, while her boss, Ron Swanson, is adamantly opposed to government in any form, even though he's a bureaucrat himself.
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The Expanse (2015)
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Net: 3 Score: 100%
Hundreds of years in the future, things are different than what humanity is used to after humans have colonized the solar system and Mars has become an independent military power. Rising tensions between Earth and Mars have put them on the brink of war. Against this backdrop, a hardened detective and a rogue ship's captain come together to investigate the case of a missing young woman. The investigation leads them on a race across the solar system that could expose the greatest conspiracy in human history.
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The West Wing (1999)
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Net: 3 Score: 100%
Cutthroat presidential advisers get their personal lives hopelessly tangled up with professional duties as they try to conduct the business of running a country. Fictional Democratic President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet suffers no fools, and that policy alienates many. He and his dedicated staffers struggle to balance the needs of the country with the political realities of Washington, D.C., working through two presidential terms that include countless scandals, threats and political scuffles, as well as the race to succeed Bartlet as the leader of the free world.
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Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister (1980)
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Net: 2 Score: 100%
When MP James Hacker's party takes control of the government, the clueless politician finds himself serving as Minister of Administrative Affairs. His staff is of two minds about the new head - Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley is sympathetic to his new boss, but Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby tartly reminds Woolley that ministers never stay long. For the most part, Appleby opposes changes suggested by the new minister, though they occasionally work together to promote a common goal such as retaining their department. Most episodes end with one of the characters saying "Yes, Minister."
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Borgen (2010)
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Net: 1 Score: 100%
Prime minister Birgitte Nyborg wins a shocking victory and ushers in a wave of political struggles.
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Deadwood (2004)
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Net: 1 Score: 100%
"Deadwood" is set in a mining town that was not part of any U.S. state or territory in the post-Civil War years, and thus was literally lawless. Deadwood attracts people looking to get rich after a huge gold strike, as well as those looking to capitalize on the lack of organized law in the town, built on land stolen from the Sioux.
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Murphy Brown (1988)
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Net: 1 Score: 100%
Murphy Brown is the star reporter of "FYI," a newsmagazine series. Murphy is sarcastic, ambitious, often self-involved and bossy -- but she is also dedicated and ethical. She and her co-workers -- including Jim, Frank and Corky -- are often at one another's throats, even though they care about one another. Eldin, Murphy's house painter and confidant, never seems to finish his painting contract at Murphy's house (before leaving the show). The comedy series tackles some serious topics, including Murphy being a single mother and being treated for breast cancer.
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Spin City (1996)
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Net: 1 Score: 100%
New York Mayor Randall Winston needs help running the city. So, for much of the series, he counts on Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty to help him. Flaherty, usually a man who is calm and organized, can "spin" out of control when it comes to his personal life, the ditzy mayor, and his abnormal co-workers. For the show's final two seasons, Flaherty is replaced as deputy mayor by Charlie Crawford after Michael J. Fox, who played Flaherty, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and left the show.
14
The Americans (2013)
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Net: 1 Score: 100%
Philip and Elizabeth Jennings are two KGB spies in an arranged marriage who are posing as Americans in suburban Washington, D.C., shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected president. The couple have two children, teenager Paige and preteen Henry, who are unaware of their parents' true identities. The complex marriage becomes more passionate and genuine each day but is continually tested as the Cold War escalates. As Philip begins to warm up to America's values and way of life, his relationship with Elizabeth becomes more complicated. Further complicating things is the arrival of the Jennings' new neighbour, FBI agent Stan Beeman, who is part of a new division of the agency tasked with fighting foreign agents on U.S. soil. The drama series was created by former CIA agent-turned-author Joe Weisberg.
15
Designated Survivor (2016)
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Net: 0 Score: 0%
As a lower-level cabinet member, Tom Kirkman never imagined something would happen that would catapult him to the oval office. When a devastating attack on the night of the State of the Union address claims the lives of the president and most of the Cabinet, the Housing and Urban Development secretary -- who was named the designated survivor in case of such an event -- finds himself promoted to leader of the free world. Suddenly thrust into his new position of power, Kirkman struggles to keep the country from dissolving into chaos and must adjust to his new normal, unaware of what fresh horrors may await the United States.
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BrainDead (2016)
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Laurel knows the U.S. governmental system has its issues, but when she starts her first job on Capitol Hill, she quickly learns things are much further gone than she realized. Washington, D.C., has been invaded by aliens that have come to Earth and are dining on the the brains of a growing number of Congressmen and staffers, bringing operations to a standstill, and it's up to her to figure out what exactly is going on and stop it. Among those helping Laurel are Rochelle, a medical resident who lost her father to a mysterious infection, and Gareth, a Republican senator's smart and hard-working Legislative Director.
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House of Cards (UK) (1990)
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With his term as Prime Minister ending along with his political career, Francis Urquhart wants to secure his retirement and his place in history.
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Madam Secretary (2014)
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Having left her job as a CIA analyst for ethical reasons, newly appointed Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord returns to public life at the request of the president, after the suspicious death of her predecessor. Valued by her boss for her apolitical leanings, knowledge of the Middle East, language skills and creative thinking, Elizabeth drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol, while negotiating national and international issues. At home, politics and compromise take on new meaning with her supportive husband and three bright kids.
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Mrs. America (2020)
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"Mrs. America" tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly, aka "the sweetheart of the silent majority." Through the eyes of the women of the era -- both Schlafly and second-wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus -- the series explores how one of the toughest battlegrounds in the culture wars of the '70s helped give rise to the Moral Majority and forever shifted the political landscape.
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Scandal (2012)
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"Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes is the creative mind behind this ABC drama. Olivia Pope, a former media consultant to the president, is ready to move on with her life and opens her own crisis-management firm, but she can't seem to shake ties with her past. Olivia's staff includes Quinn Perkins, who has a complicated history, and hacker extraordinaire Huck. As she moves forward it becomes clear that, while her staffers may specialize in cleaning up the lives of other people, they can't seem to do the same for themselves.
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Show Me a Hero (2015)
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Based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Lisa Belkin, the miniseries "Show Me a Hero" tells the story of how civil rights violations tear apart Yonkers, N.Y., paralyze the municipal government, and forever change the lives of a rising politician and his constituents. Faced with a federal court order that remedies decades-long housing segregation in the city, newly elected Mayor Nick Wasicsko -- at 28, the youngest-ever mayor of Yonkers -- goes against his campaign position that advocated legal appeals, paving the way for low-income housing to be built in white neighborhoods of Yonkers. Residents rage about protecting property values, while those chosen to cross the color line will soon have neighbors who fiercely oppose them. "Show Me a Hero" is co-created by David Simon ("The Wire") and directed by Paul Haggis ("Crash").
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Tanner ’88 (1988)
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"Tanner" satirizes political campaigning in the media age. Jack Tanner is a former congressman and dark-horse candidate in a crowded field for the Democratic nomination. Traveling with his daughter and tough campaign manager, Tanner rubs elbows with the likes of Bob Dole, Chris Matthews and Gary Hart. Each episode features new material with Tanner looking back on his star-crossed run for the White House.
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The Good Fight (2017)
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The series picks up one year after the events in the final episode of `The Good Wife'. After a financial scam destroys the reputation of young lawyer Maia Rindell and wipes out her mentor and godmother Diane Lockhart's savings, the two are forced out of Lockhart & Lee and join forces with Lucca Quinn at one of Chicago's pre-eminent law firms. At Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad, Diane finds familiar faces, including Colin Morrello, who is a rising star in the state's attorney's office, and Marissa Gold. Though starting at the bottom, Diane and Maia are determined to rebuild their careers and lives at the new firm.
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The Good Wife (2009)
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When a very public sex and political-corruption scandal lands her husband, Peter, in prison, Alicia Florrick (Emmy-winner Julianna Margulies) must get past the humiliation and betrayal and assume responsibility for her family. She resumes her career as a defense attorney, shedding her persona as the embarrassed wife of a politician, and takes charge of her destiny. Years later, after Peter wins the gubernatorial election, Alicia must balance her evolving career and family responsibilities with her new position as first lady of Illinois.
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The Newsroom (2012)
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Google users
Aaron Sorkin once chronicled the daily work of the federal government in "The West Wing." In "The Newsroom," the Emmy-winning executive producer uses the operation of a fictional cable news network as the heart of the story, with Jeff Daniels portraying the network's lead anchor and leading an ensemble cast. Episodes are written around actual recent news events, reported by a staff that takes its collective responsibilities seriously, but corporate and commercial obstacles -- plus entangled personal relationships -- fly in the face of their public mission.
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The Thick of It (2005)
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`The Thick of It' satirizes the inner workings of modern British government, with the focus on the fictitious Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship, a rather broad title that allows many political themes and viewpoints to be introduced. The department is run by an appointed minister, one who of course is depicted as bumbling, overmatched and out of touch with the public.
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Veep (2019)
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"Politics is about people," former Sen. Selina Meyer is fond of saying. Unfortunately, the people Meyer, a charismatic leader and rising star in her party, meets after becoming vice president are nothing like she expected, but everything she was warned about. "Veep" follows the VP as she puts out political fires, juggles her public schedule and private life, and does everything within her limited powers to improve her dysfunctional relationship with the chief executive. Meyer's trusted -- and some not-so-trusted -- sidekicks include chief of staff Amy, one-time spokesperson Mike, and right-hand man Gary.
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Wolf Hall (2015)
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Starring Damian Lewis, Mark Rylance and Claire Foy, this series is a six-part adaptation of Hilary Mantel's novels `Wolf Hall' and `Bring Up the Bodies'. The historical drama follows the story of Thomas Cromwell through his rise in social hierarchy. From his humble beginnings as a blacksmith's son, Cromwell becomes King Henry VIII's chief minister. The episodes chronicle his life as he deals with the power struggles of the Tudor Court and a king who has difficulty producing a male heir.
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Game of Thrones (2011)
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George R.R. Martin's best-selling book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" is brought to the screen as HBO sinks its considerable storytelling teeth into the medieval fantasy epic. It's the depiction of two powerful families -- kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and honest men -- playing a deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and to sit atop the Iron Throne. Martin is credited as a co-executive producer and one of the writers for the series, whose shooting locations include Northern Ireland, Malta, Croatia and Spain.
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Homeland (2011)
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When Marine Sgt. Nicholas Brody returns home following eight years in captivity, CIA agent Carrie Mathison thinks he has turned and is connected to a terror plot to be carried out on American soil, so she engages him in a dangerous game of cat and mouse that puts America's national security at risk. Later on, Carrie gets a promotion and returns to the front lines overseas. She is assigned to one of the CIA's most volatile and dangerous stations in the Middle East, where she is in the heart of battle in the war on terror. Years later, after being disillusioned and placing herself in a self-imposed exile in Berlin, Carrie becomes estranged from the CIA, eventually returning stateside where she works for a foundation providing aid to Muslims living in America.
