On election night there are two choices: refresh the results for six hours, or watch people pretend to run the country instead. These three shows cover the whole range, from politics as you wish it were, to politics as you fear it is, to politics as it probably is.
Number 1
The West Wing
The White House staff of President Bartlet, walking very fast down corridors and talking even faster. Aaron Sorkin's show is the hopeful one: smart people trying to do the right thing and mostly managing it. Still the standard every political drama is measured against.
Streams on Netflix
Number 2
House of Cards
A congressman passed over for a promotion decides to take everything instead, and tells you his plans straight to camera. The opposite of The West Wing in every way. The first two seasons are the ones to watch.
Streams on Netflix
Number 3
Veep
A vice president with no power, a staff with no shame, and nothing ever going right. Julia Louis-Dreyfus won six Emmys in a row for it. The insults alone are worth the half hour.
Streams on HBO Max
Streaming services are for the United States, checked 13 November 2026. Titles move between services, so check before you start.
Keep track of the one you start
ReelStack is an iPhone app that remembers which episode you are on, shows which service has every show and film, and tells you the day a new episode arrives. No account. Free for your first eight titles, then $4.99 once.
