Can’t get enough of US politics? Here are 7 of the most compelling American political TV series streaming now

The US election might be all done and dusted, but if your lust for the blood sport that is American politics isn’t quite satiated, might we suggest dipping into these great political dramas?

Some will make you shudder (House of Cards!), some will make you laugh (Veep!) — ALL will make you glad you live in Australia.

Ready, set … binge!

The West Wing (Stan)

If you’re already a fan, chances are you’re on your 50th re-watch of this beloved political series from Aaron Sorkin. Yes, it’s THAT good. If you’re still yet to discover this — rejoice! There are seven seasons, 154 episodes, and two specials, so that should keep you going for a while. Enjoy basking in what could have been — and sigh at what we’re all lumped with now.

House of Cards (Netflix)

Next time you’re feeling cranky about the state of US politics, consider this: it could be worse. It could be Frank Underwood up there in the White House! Kevin Spacey is absolutely superb as the political supervillain; Robin Wright is equally chilling as his steely-eyed partner, Claire. Watch the first excellent four seasons — the less said about the last two the better.

The Diplomat (Netflix)

While this one is technically about US diplomats (Kate and Hal Wyler, played by Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell) living in the UK, this gripping series is just as concerned with the behind-the-scenes machinations of the US political system. If you’re up to date with the recently dropped second season, you’ll know what we’re on about — that final scene! Bring on season three.

Veep (Binge)

OK, so this one’s technically a comedy, but of all the series centred on US politics released in the past two decades, we have a sinking suspicion this one is the most accurate of them all. Worth a watch for Julia Louis Dreyfus’ incredible performance as Vice-President Selina Meyer, though the entire ensemble does a magnificent job of personifying the bonkers qualities of US political players.

Scandal (Disney Plus)

TV Uber producer Shonda Rhimes is behind this, so you know it’s a good one. It’s all about Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope, a character reportedly based on George W. Bush’s press aide, Judy Smith, who served as a co-executive producer on this. Something tells us Pope’s crisis management firm would have its work cut out for it in the current political climate — a delicious watch.

Mrs America (7Plus)

This series may have passed you by, which is a shame, as it’s actually great! It stars Cate Blanchett as conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, who was active in US politics back in the 1970s. This received 10 Emmy nominations, and was a critical hit, sitting pretty on an impressive 96 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score. A fascinating story told exceptionally well, and worth discovering through 7Plus.

Gaslit (Stan)

Another series starring a big-name Hollywood star — in this case, Julia Roberts — and set in the 1970s, this one is a modern take on the Watergate scandal (another series, White House Plumbers, starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux, also tackles this political hot potato). This places political wife Martha Mitchell (Roberts) at the centre as the unlikely whistleblower who dropped NIxon in it.