10 political dramas to watch amid the UK's own Number 10 drama
From House of Cards to The Thick of It and Borgen, there are plenty of options for those looking for even more political turmoil…
BBC, Netflix, Michael O'Neil/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
- James Hibbs
10 items
It might not exactly be out of the ordinary these days, but anyone who looks at the news will see the UK is once again in a period of political instability.
While you might turn to TV to get away from it all, if you're a political junkie and you can't get enough of all the wrangling and the back and forth, there are plenty of dramas out there that will give you just what you're looking for.
Whether it's British series like Yes Minister or The Thick of It, or looking at political systems elsewhere like in Borgen or The West Wing, there are options for all tastes.
Of course, there are also exciting new political dramas on the way, like Steven Moffat's Channel 4 show Number 10 and The Lords' Day, a Netflix thriller adapted from the 2007 novel by House of Cards writer Michael Dobbs.
However, for now, read on for our full list of 10 political dramas you can watch right now.
Showing 1 to 10 of 10 results
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1990
Drama
15
Political drama adapted from Michael Dobbs's novel, with Ian Richardson. Chief whip Frances Urquhart plots revenge against his colleagues as he tries to rise up the ladders of power.
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2003
Crime/detective
Drama
15
Drama with David Morrissey and John Simm telling the story of a newspaper's investigation into the seemingly unrelated deaths of a research assistant and a teenage pickpocket.
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Screen Two | The Absence of War
John Thaw stars in David Hare's political drama based on his stage play about a Labour MP who finds himself campaigning against his own party. First broadcast 18 May 1995
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2025
Drama
A drama probing the enduring, complex and often tense relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown
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2019
Documentary
Drama
15
Drama by James Graham providing a behind-the-scenes exploration of the 2016 referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union, which has had far-reaching consequences. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dominic Cummings, the leading strategist and campaign director of Vote Leave, while Rory Kinnear is Craig Oliver, who oversaw Remain's communications strategy, as the programme examines the anatomy of a modern data-driven election campaign, and each side's controversial backers
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2010
Drama
15
This political drama focuses on Birgitte Nyborg, whose bold electioneering moves give her the chance to form a new coalition government and become Denmark's first female prime minister.
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1999
Drama
15
Award-winning American drama created by Aaron Sorkin and set in the West Wing of the White House during the administration of fictional Democratic president Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen).
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1980
Comedy
Sitcom
PG
Sitcom following the ministerial career of Jim Hacker MP (Paul Eddington) at the fictional Department for Administrative Affairs in Whitehall. Co-starring Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds.
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2005
Comedy
18
Political comedy set in the British government. It features Malcolm Tucker, a director of communications who resorts to smear tactics to ensure cabinet ministers follow the party line.
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Jody displays exceptional scheming prowess as she fights to achieve her political ambition and tame her philandering husband-turned-gubernatorial candidate while at it.
See more 10 political dramas to watch amid the UK's own Number 10 drama
Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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