The Lure of Power: 13 Political Drama & Thriller Series
The political animal is often a fascinating character to follow—these series offer compelling viewing
It’s election year in the United States, and here in the Philippines, local politics and politicians have perennially been followed as great ‘spectator sports.’ So from all over the world, it’s not surprising to find several highly regarded and awarded political series on our streaming services. Here’s my current Top 13.
Political drama & thriller series
Political drama & thriller series
The Crown, Netflix
When you’re talking British politics, you can’t ignore this series, given the intimate and intricate relationship between Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street. Chronicling the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940’s to modern times; while some fans follow the series more as a glimpse into the lives of the royals, the storytelling has always used the political realities of the times since her ascendancy to the Crown at the tender age of 25, to add texture and perspective to the narrative. From Claire Foy to Olivia Colman as Elizabeth, it’s been some ride.
The Plot Against America, HBO Go
Adapted from a 2004 Philip Roth alternate history novel, this one works on the premise that in 1940, xenophobe/isolationist and pro-Fascist Charles Lindbergh ran for the US Presidency against FDR, and won! Roth uses a Newark Jewish family as the fulcrum for exploring what societal upheavals would have ensued in this political terrain. Winona Ryder, John Turturro, and Zoe Kazan are among the more familiar names of the show’s impressive ensemble cast. The parallels of Lindbergh to Trump are unmistakable.
Designated Survivor, Netflix
A low level Washington DC Cabinet member played by Keifer Sutherland ends up as Designated Survivor, and assumes the US Presidency when everyone above him in the succession table is wiped out. It’s a chilling premise, and beyond the setting of the grim scenario, what’s interesting is the aftermath. Sutherland basically rekindled his acting career when he shifted to Television with 24; and he’s fantastic here. The gripping conflicts and the edge of your seat moments make this political series a very popular one.
The Man in the High Castle (Amazon Prime)
This is another Alternate History concept; but as it comes from the pen of the late Philip Dick, it’s far more twisted. It’s 1962, and the Axis Powers won World War II, and the USA is divided between Germany which rules the East, and Japan ruling the West, with a neutral buffer zone where the Rocky Mountains lie. Complications arise when old newsreel films that show the Alllied Powers winning surface - and we’re introduced to the notion of parallel universes. Four seasons, and Ridley Scott is one of the producers.
Secret City, Netflix
This is a surprise, home-run series produced in Australia, that showcases a ‘secret City’ of lies, betrayals, and opportunism lying beneath the peaceful facade of Canberra. Political investigative journalist Harriet Dunkley (Anna Torv) is our guide to this web of deceit. Jacki Weaver is great as Catriona Bailey, the Minister for Justice. The first season revolves around ‘moles’ controlled by the Chinese operating at the highest levels of Government, while the second has to do with the Defense Ministry and unlawful weapons testing.
The Politician, Netflix
Created by Ryan Murphy, this a comedy-drama series that imaginatively makes a High School student body election become a vicious metaphor for understanding what kind of narcissistic individual would enter politics in this day and age. A truly wonderful cast led by the likes of Ben Platt, Jessica Lange, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Corenswet, and Zoey Deutch, bring this cynical, but hilarious, concept to life. It’s an engaging satire over the first season, and in the last episode, Bette Midler makes an appearance to herald the forthcoming second season.
Designated Survivor: 60 Days, Netflix
The Original US series of this was so popular, that South Korea decided to create their own version. In this one it’s the official with little ambition, the Minister of the Environment, who assumes the Presidency when the National Assembly blows up. Becoming the President for 60 days, Park Mu-jin (Ji Jin-hee) goes after the parties responsible for the deadly explosion, and we watch him grow into being a national leader. It’s the arc of reluctant President to galvanizing national force that drives this series.
The Report, Amazon Prime
This one is a ‘true story’ Amazon original film and stars the always excellent Adam Driver as FBI agent/Senate staffer Daniel Jones, who painstakingly led the exhaustive investigation into the CIA’s illegal use of torture on suspected terrorists. This all happens during the aftermath of 9/11, when the War on Terror, saw the urgency to yield results, and the CIA took a number of liberties in order to produce results. Annette Bening plays Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Occupied, Netflix
Here is a unheralded series that I discovered, and found quite compelling and well executed. It imagines the scenario where Norway, an oil-producing country that’s part of the NATO and the EU is ‘peacefully’ invaded by it’s neighbor Russia, to control oil and gas production. This is predicated by Norway’s Green Party being in power on a program of alternative energy and protecting the environment. There are several narratives at play, showcasing how, beyond the politicians on top, regular citizens would be affected by this takeover.
Chernobyl, HBO Go
This Limited Series won 10 Emmys; and it’s easy to see why. It’s April 1986, and in the small city of Chernobyl in the Soviet Union, one of the worst nuclear disasters in the history of mankind occurs. The masterful storytelling of this drama series emanates from not just relying on the events that truly happened, but turning it also into a study of people under pressure, of an incompetent Government trying to hide from responsibility, and how heroes and villains can come from the most unexpected places - especially scientists risking their reputations and lives.
Marseille, Netflix
Here is a hard-hitting series about big-city politics and even bigger egos. Gérard Depardieu is Marseille Mayor Robert Taro, and Bênoit Magimel is Lucas Barre, his protégée; or so Taro had thought, as Lucas has plans of his own. Taro has been in power for 25 years, and he’s made the City his personal Kingdom. This is a luscious tale of power, of corruption, and surprisingly, of redemption. An especially interesting character in the series is daughter Julia Taro (Stephane Caillard), who works as a journalist, while hiding her connection to City Hall.
House of Cards, Netflix
Hard to compile this list and ignore this Washington DC series that is now on its 6th season, with more lives than the proverbial cat given the controversies it has had to face. Some people may not even know it’s actually an adaptation of a 1990 BBC miniseries of the same name, and based on a Michael Nobbs novel. Admired and critically acclaimed since it came out in the USA with Kevin Spacey playing the central Congressman character, the series has actually survived his removal, and placing Robin Wright’s wife character as the series’ primary focus.
Bodyguard, Netflix
War veteran David Budd (Richard Madden) is assigned to the security detail of Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes); and imaginatively, instead of just being a police & crime fiction limited series, Bodyguard evolves to something more complicated and conspiracy-driven. Suffering from PTSD and a strained relationship with his wife, Budd gets enmeshed in government scandals, cover-ups, betrayals, and vicious oneupmanship. Madden is a Golden Globe winner for his work here, and its hoped a second season comes soon.
Photos from IMdB
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