“Veep” (Max)
Maybe the terrible missteps and schmoozing of the political elite lands too close to home, but that is why “Veep” works incredibly well and still resonates with viewers. The 2012 satirical comedy cruelly bites into the Beltway bubble, remaining staunchly cynical towards the dysfunction that dominates politics. Television powerhouse Julia Louis-Dreyfus shines as the fictional charming, ambitious and crude Selina Meyers, the fictional vice president and later president of the United States.
Despite being a D.C.-centric show, “Veep” manages a bipartisan approach and excludes party affiliation from Meyers’ identity, attracting positive attention from liberals and conservatives alike. Unlike other politically-themed serials with strong political slants, “Veep” is too above — or far below — it all, focusing squarely on the universal flaws and absurdities in seeking and retaining power. In an interview with the Pacific Standard, showrunner David Mendel explained, “We’re equal-opportunity attacking. What we’re going after is the hypocrisy of saying, ‘I’m in government to do good’ . . . The point we’re looking to make is about hypocrisy. It’s a point about power and abuses of power, which I think are very relevant and ripe for attacking.”
“The West Wing” (Max)
When you think of quintessential political drama, “The West Wing” likely comes to mind. The most decorated show on this list, Aaron Sorkin’s darling has garnered 26 Emmys for its writing, cinematography and performances. The legendary screenwriter lets the audience in on a fictional glimpse into the everyday lives of the nation’s powerful players with a powerful ensemble cast.
Fictional U.S. President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) leads his cabinet — among them are chief of staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer), deputy communications director Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) and press secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) through personal and political crises. The signature visual hallmark of “The West Wing” is the walk-and-talk, where the camera continuously follows zingy, overlapping dialogue of the main characters as they walk around and through the White House.
Viewers have repeatedly returned to watch or analyze “The West Wing,” as the 25-year-old series strikes familiar contemporary chords, remaining relevant in cultural discourse. The moral of the story is goodness, and good men and women who are loyally devoted to serving the nation — clear evidence of the show’s distance from today’s perception of public servants.
“Scandal” (Hulu)
Scandal is a Shonda Rhimes classic: thrilling intrigue, sexy subplots and varying shades of morality. The seven-season show follows former White House communications director Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), who leads her Washington D.C. crisis management firm with an instinct that is “never wrong.” The pilot, the microcosmic glimpse of the season, dishes out expectations for the audience: the incomparably fearless Pope has the ability to say the right words to negotiate with kidnappers and resolve a case with the powerful words: “it’s handled.”
Political analysis and critique take a backseat to the intricate and tense dynamics between the main characters and their decisions. Right from the start, we’re introduced to the first major emotional scandal: Pope’s ambiguous, mysterious romance with the president (Tony Goldwyn). Politics is highly dramatized, intensified and deadly.
“The Diplomat” (Netflix)
Known for “Felicity” and “The Americans,” Keri Russell once again delivers a stellar performance. “The Diplomat,” which first aired in 2023, follows Kate Wyler (Russell) as the titular character on the global stage of politics. A U.S. diplomat, Wyler is made the newest ambassador to the United Kingdom after a British aircraft carrier is bombed, a far ways away from her previous nitty-gritty assignments. The rest of the first season spotlights international mystery, intense espionage and personal complications. Wyler is dealing with an international entanglement as well as a crisis within her marriage: her collapsing relationship with her husband and former diplomat Hal Wyler makes for interesting character dynamics, power plays and plot twists.
Created by “Homeland” and “The West Wing” writer Debora Cahn, “The Diplomat” just debuted its highly-anticipated sophomore season on October 31, and fans can expect a third season on the horizon.
“Red, White, & Royal Blue” (Amazon Prime)
If you’re looking to escape the intense political polarization for a little while, don’t look any further than “Red, White, & Royal Blue.” This Amazon Prime romantic-comedy, based on Casey McQuinston’s 2019 New York Times bestselling novel, follows the first son of the United States Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and the British Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine).
Queer representation, which normally materializes in sidelined characters and comic supporting roles, takes a giant step forward in this film. The two male leads perfectly embody the beloved grumpy-sunshine trope, from their meet-cute involving the fall of a giant wedding cake to their fairytale ending. Perez and Galitzine evidently take delight in their respective roles — heightening the witty banter and romanticizing the intimate moments. It’s fun, it’s refreshing and it’s a must-watch. Despite the election panic, you might feel right now, the cheesy quotes from this heartwarming movie are designed to make you feel just a little bit better.
“Designated Survivor” (Netflix)
One day, he is the U.S. secretary of housing and urban development; the next day, he is the president of the United States. Catapulting low-level academic Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) into the leader of a nation after an explosion at the State of the Union Address, “Designated Survivor” enthralls viewers with its high-stakes premise, delving deeply into the complexities of governance amid chaos.
Sutherland portrays Kirkman with resilience and vulnerability, highlighting the pressure and ethical dilemmas that come with such a leadership role. Unlike other shows that glamorize the power and privilege of the White House, “Designated Survivor” emphasizes the burdens, compromises and difficulties that leaders make, offering audiences a nuanced perspective on what it means to be a leader with immense power. As the 2024 presidential election draws near, the series encourages viewers to reflect on the qualities they most value in leaders in times of disaster. “Designated Survivor” is compelling, profound and rich.
“The Newsroom” (Max, Hulu)
A Sorkin double feature? Absolutely.
If you’re yearning for some more quick-witted dialogue and a journalistic perspective on the world of politics, add “The Newsroom” to your watch list. Dramedy master Jeff Daniels is Will McAvoy, anchor and managing editor of the fictional Atlantis Cable News. Surrounding McAvoy are executive producer MacKenzie Morgan McHale (Emily Mortimer), senior producer Jim Harper (John Gallagher Jr.) and economy analyst Sloan Sabbith (Olivia Munn).
Laced with intellectual banter, these characters strive to balance accuracy and approval, ratings and realism. “The Newsroom” feels more relevant than ever in a digital era rife with misinformation and sensationalism. Beyond entertainment, Sorkin’s show is a reminder of the power of journalism to inform and inspire change.
“Wag the Dog” (Hulu)
Seeking a dark comedy about the manipulation of news for political optics? If so, “Wag the Dog” is a must-see. Directed by Barry Levinson and starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro, the 1997 film has a lot in common with the current media landscape of spectacle.
The lines between entertainment and propaganda are adequately blurred — sounding familiar? The themes of misinformation and “fake news,” as well as the exploration of the government’s influence on the media industry are insightful and introspective. If you’re in the mood for a satirical classic, “Wag the Dog” deserves to be your next watch. It’s a cinematic experience that will entertain you and leave you thinking about the narratives shaping the world today.
“Homeland” (Hulu, Disney+)
In “Homeland,” captivating protagonist and CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) sees a potential threat in the U.S. Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), who she suspects has been convinced to spy for al-Qaeda after being a prisoner of war for eight years. The show largely revolves around cat-and-mouse games these two principal characters play with each other. The first two seasons received universal critical acclaim, thanks to the exhilarating performances by Danes and Lewis. Mathison is flawed yet thoroughly compelling, and Brody is both suspicious and sympathetic.
With global politics and morally gray decisions made, “Homeland” is both timely and timeless.