The West Wing is one of the most popular and memorable political dramas to date, and there are a number of similar and recent shows viewers can indulge in if they find themselves missing the show. The West Wing premiered in 1999 and ran for 7 seasons, as it followed the lives of political figures who struggle to keep their professional responsibilities separate from their personal ones, as well as work through scandals, threats, and trying to accommodate the needs of the public. The award-winning show continues to be a popular one, as viewers revisit it time and time again to be thoroughly entertained.
With the show's continued popularity, it does not come as a surprise that many will want to seek out similar shows once they've completed all the seasons. Although a re-watch can always be on the agenda, there are a number of shows that feel similar enough to fill The West Wing's void. Here is a breakdown of 10 recent shows that closely resemble The West Wing in a multitude of ways.
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10 Gaslit (2022)
Part of what makes The West Wing so memorable is the way it tackles a number of political scandals within its episodes. Those who enjoyed that aspect of the show might want to check out the 2022 miniseries Gaslit. The show is completely centered around one of the biggest scandals in politics: Watergate. It is designed to serve as a modern take on the scandal, focusing on stories that have gone untold in the past and on interesting side characters. In addition to the focus on political scandal, both shows highlight characters, like Martha Mitchell, whose contributions often go unnoticed and unappreciated by the public.
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9 White House Plumbers (2023)
Similar to Gaslit, White House Plumbers provides another take on the infamous Watergate scandal. Although White House Plumbers is satirical and The West Wing is not, the shows still bare similarities. They both tackle the realities of politics in comedic ways and create 3-dimensional characters that represent the good, bad, and ugly of political figures. The 's shocking storylines is one aspect that draws viewers in, and White House Plumbers manages to deliver this as well.
8 The Diplomat (2023-)
For those looking to scratch that The West Wing itch, The Diplomat might just do the trick. Similar to The West Wing, it has very fast-paced dialogue and deals with the cutthroat nature of relationships in politics. In addition, both shows highlight how often the ing people in politics are overlooked, with a figurehead getting all the glory. What s for these similarities is the presence of Debora Cahn. Cahn worked as a writer on The West Wing and was the creator of The Diplomat. In fact, Cahn shared that she wanted to create something like The West Wing only international in an interview with Tudum.
7 Billions (2016-)
The West Wing is full of quick, smart, fast-paced dialogue. Billions, a show that explores money, corruption, and power, takes that frenetic and witty dialogue and somehow turns it up a notch. The characters are entertaining and fresh, with quick wits and tongues that make for a captivating watch, just like The West Wing.
6 Veep (2012-2019)
Those who watch both The West Wing and Veep will quickly pick up on the similarities. The premise alone makes them alike, both following White House istrations led by sharp individuals whose work is made possible by the people who them. The West Wing's dialogue made for humorous characters that can captivate audiences, qualities seen in Veep's main character, Selina Meyer, as well. In addition, both have deal with issues like incompetence and selfishness in the political realm. The creator of Veep confirmed he is a huge fan of The West Wing to The Hollywood Reporter, making it no surprise that there are comparable elements.
5 House Of Cards (2013-2018)
House of Cards provides a darker take on the political system, making it a great choice for The West Wing viewers who appreciated when the show veered into more deceitful storylines. Although different in how they approach the subject, both shows have very well-written storylines, engaging characters, and interesting commentary on the polarization that comes in to play with American politics.
4 The Blacklist (2013-2023)
Another show that deals with the realities of politics through a dark lense is The Blacklist. This American thriller focuses on an ex-government agent and fugitive, as he works to help the FBI take down other criminals. What makes this show and The West Wing similar is that they both deal with hidden agendas and unknown motives within their characters and highlight how there is more to the political systems in place than meets the eye. The episodes feel just as captivating as The West Wing, thanks to entertaining characters and unique storylines.
3 Succession (2018-2023)
What makes Succession and The West Wing alike is their sharp writing and memorable dialogue. Both contain biting humor and quick exchanges between characters that captive audiences. In addition, both create highly complex characters that go on journeys of betterment and growth as individuals. One of the things that The West Wing is best known for is its portrayal of power struggles and moral dilemmas. Although in a different setting, Succession presents these elements as well, making for an entertaining watch.
2 Madam Secretary (2014-2019)
Both Madam Secretary and The West Wing highlight the lives of important political figures, although the ones they choose to focus on differ. Madame Secretary explores the life and career of the Secretary of State, Elizabeth McCord. The two shows each have memorable characters and highlight the everyday challenges of being involved in politics. They both explore complicated political climates and a divided America through its storylines, as well as the struggle the main character has trying to faithfully serve many needs. Just like The West Wing, it can be heart-wrenching at times, but it also possesses the witty and sarcastic banter between characters that viewers enjoy.
1 The Politician (2019-)
The Politician and The West Wing are alike in that they both provide viewers with an interesting take on how the American political system runs. Although the shows differ in of the tone and style in which they do this, both are plagued with captivating drama and moral dilemmas that test the characters and entertain audiences. In addition, both shows highlight the internal battles that the political characters must face in of balancing their personal ambition and beliefs with the good of those they serve.
Sources: Tudum, The Hollywood Reporter