I’m taking a break from preparing my 2019 movie rankings to present my personal Top 10 Political TV shows. (Note that I’m excluding documentaries… maybe I should do a top 10 list of those?)

Honourable mentions to Spin City (which is fun and different, but lacks the gravitas to really make the list), State of Play (which is very good with an amazing cast, but struggle as a series which can be re-watched, as it relies so heavily on NOT knowing the twist), and Penelope Keith’s No Job for a Lady.

 

#10 – House of Cards (US).
(US, 2013-2018)

This is on the list ONLY for the first two seasons, which are brilliant enough to be worthy of the top 10. Season three is deathly boring, and after that it gets stupid. But the first two… amazingly good.

 

#9 – A Very English Scandal
(UK, 2018)

Russell T Davis writes a drama starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, featuring the real life scandal surrounding one time UK Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe. RTD’s usual mix of wit and character.

 

#8 – The Alan Clark Diaries
(UK, 2004)

A small series that covers Clark’s time as a colourful Minister in the Thatcher and Major governments. John Hurt as the lead makes this series a delight to watch.

 

#7 – The Dismissal
(Australia, 1983)

The Australian dramatisation of the events leading up to the dismissal of the Whitlam Government in 1975. Rather than taking the cheap path and giving the audience “heroes” and “villains”, individuals as diverse as Rex Connor and Sir John Kerr are given real personalities, and their motivations explored. Even knowing the final outcome, the series builds the tension expertly, and Max Phipps & John Stanton are perfectly cast as Whitlam and Fraser, although Bill Hunter as Connor is the stand out, followed closely by John Hargreaves as Jim Cairns.

 

#6 – The New Statesman
(UK, 1987-1994)

Rik Mayell plays Tory MP Alan B’Stard… what more do you want?!

Its over the top and ridiculous, but hilarious.

Goes off the rails a little in season 3, but season 4 – where B’Stard becomes an MEP – is absolutely classic, puncturing the EU decisively.

 

#5 – The Thick of It
(UK, 2005-2012)

First and most importantly, this show is very, very funny. Peter Capaldi gives a career defining performance as Malcolm Tucker. But the way the show explores the relationship between Ministers, Advisors, and the Civil Service, adds an extra layer of delight to the show. The two special episodes “Rise of the Nutters” and “Spinners and Losers” are probably the peak of the show, although the final season dealing with the regulars in opposition and the new coalition Government also ends the show on a high. Capaldi’s performance in the final episode is as good as anything you’ll see on TV.

 

#4 – The West Wing
(US – 1999-2006)

Another show defined by quotable dialogue and wonderful characters, it’s not a shock that every one of the regular actors from The West Wing has gone on to considerable success. A little too idealistic to make the top 3, this is a show I can re-watch again and again, although it affords the preachiness of Sorkin’s The Newsroom. It hits the ground running with a brilliant first season, and the episodes around “Election Night” in season 4 are worthy of mention, although season 6 – as the show explores the primary process – remains my favourite. Toby remains my favourite character, and “The Supremes” my favourite episode.

 

#3 – Party Animals
(UK, 2007)

A very little known show, I maintain my view that this is the political show which most accurately reflects the realities of working in politics – the amazing highs mixed with the sheer drudgery. Made during the early period of the Brown Government, it reflects a Labour Party in decline, and the spasms of a Tory Party grabbling with a new generation of modernisers (complete with gay staffers) wrestling with the old guard for control. It also brings into the drama the role of lobbyists, and the personal costs of politics.

 

#2 – Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister
(UK, 1980-1988)

The show which first sparked my interest in politics, it remains as funny and relevant now as it was in the 1980s, when it was famously Mrs Thatcher’s favourite show. As the show progresses the relationship between Minister Jim Hacker and Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby grows and allows both wins and losses, helping the longevity of the series… not to mention amazing dialogue! Probably hits its peak with the run of episodes in the first season of Yes, Prime Minister which include “A Victory for Democracy”, “The Bishop’s Gambit” and “One of Us”, and the quality continues in season two with “Man Overboard” and Official Secrets”.

#1 – House of Cards (UK)
(UK – 1990-1995)

I’m including all three seasons of this trilogy – House of Cards, To Play the King, & The Final Cut.

A defining 1990s drama, with Ian Richardson as Tory frontbencher Francis “FU” Urquhart. The show picks up with the fall of Mrs Thatcher as Prime Minister, and mixes real drama with and understanding of politics, albeit far exaggerated for dramatic effect, as FU seeks the leadership of the party. The best of the series is certainly To Play the King, with Urquhart facing down the new King (a thinly veiled analogue of Prince Charles, complete with his own “Diana”, “Sarah Ferguson” and “Prince William”), played by Michael Kitchen.

Brilliant television set in the Palace of Westminster.