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15 Must-Watch Shows like Succession About Wealth, Power and Politics

April 27, 2023
Shows like Succession

Since its premiere in 2018, fans all over were introduced to the Roy family. 4 years on and 9 Emmys later, Succession has established itself as one of the best shows on TV, and that is why we have created a list of shows like Succession. The dark comedy-drama was created by Jesse Armstrong, and it revolves around aging patriarch Logan Roy, the conservative billionaire owner of international media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo and his 3 of his 4 children, Kendall, Roman, and Shiv.

A modern-day family drama of Shakespearean proportions, the show deals with the internal conflicts, business deals, and last-minute twists amongst other things. Succession presents an alarming yet witty look at the privileged 1%. And while Succession‘s mix of sharp comedy and ruthless drama is unique, there are a lot of great shows about white-collar corruption, covered-up crimes, rickety relationship dynamics, questionable morals and intense power struggles. We’ve rounded up a list of 15 shows like Succession which all share the same spirit.

List of TV Shows Like Succession

  1. Billions 
  2. Yellowstone 
  3. The Righteous Gemstones 
  4. The White Lotus 
  5. House of the Dragon 
  6. House of Cards 
  7. Mad Men 
  8. House of Lies 
  9. Dynasty 
  10. Empire 
  11. Bloodline 
  12. Arrested Development 
  13. The Crown 
  14. The Morning Show 
  15. The Great

1. Billions (2016)

This show is set in New York, and similar to shows like Succession, it revolves around highly successful people who are fueled by the need to accumulate more wealth. Billions features Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades, a US attorney who’s determined to bring down an ambitious hedge fund manager. Bobby Axelrod played by Damian Lewis, who to the extent of breaking the law often secures high returns through some very aggressive methods.

Billions’ characters undergo turbulent trials which mirror the increasingly turbulent financial market which the story of the show is set against. There is a lot of melodrama and third-act maneuvers to keep viewers hooked while also giving you a look into real-life prosecutions, and how federal agencies prepare and execute them through their realistic reenactments in this show.

2. Yellowstone (2018)

Think about TV shows like Succession… but this time set on a massive cattle ranch. Taylor Sheridan and Josh Linson’s Yellowstone focuses on Kevin Costner as John Dutton, a wealthy and very powerful patriarch. Dutton pulls plenty of strings, putting into place shady deals, murders, and land grabs, all to ensure that his empire remains intact. Basically, in this literal wild west of the business world, anything goes.

The Paramount network show is a colossal ratings hit that consistently sets records, and beats them. The finale of season 4, which wrapped up earlier this month, drew in more than 11 million viewers, a new series high. This show has garnered a large viewerbase and I suggest that you join them, if you are a fan of shows like Succession.

Also Read: Shows like Yellowstone

3. The Righteous Gemstones (2019)

The Righteous Gemstones takes place in the South just like the previous show on this list  and has an even extra helping of absurd humor similar to series like Succession. This show revolves around Eli Gemstone, the patriarch of a famous family of televangelists who all live a luxurious lifestyle bankrolled by their church.

With Eli broken over the death of his wife, his kids have to figure out who’s next in line to take over their megachurch. Rife with scandals, hypocrisy, and petty power struggles, suffice to say that the Gemstones are nothing like their public image. Despite its more eccentric plotline, The Righteous Gemstones is definitely one of the best shows like Succession around.

4. The White Lotus (2021)

If you enjoy the humor and spot-on commentary in series like Succession, you will love The White Lotus. The series centers on a group of wealthy guests and staff members of the gorgeous White Lotus spa and resort in Hawaii. But after a week, the guests soon realize that there’s more to paradise than meets the eye.

The White Lotus is not short of the same dark humor similar to shows like Succession. The viewer is treated to a critical view of the lives of wealthy folks, who awkwardly stumble their way through attempting to learn about Hawaiian culture.

Also Read: Shows like The White Lotus

5. House of the Dragon (2022)

When we talk of the ultimate aspiration to power and the many struggles involved in series like Succession, House of the Dragon, a spinoff series set in the Game of Thrones universe delivers just that. The long-awaited prequel follows the Targaryen dynasty around two hundred years before Queen Daenerys set out to reclaim the Iron Throne.

In Game of Thrones, most of the Targaryens were dead as well as all of their dragons. This show tells us how that came to be and how the Targaryen line ultimately lost the throne. This show’s grand scale, huge battles, and intricate political tussles will have you hoping you could step into this world, and experience it all for yourself.

6. House of Cards (2013)

Similar to shows like Succession, House of Cards offers a look behind the scenes at the greed and corruption present in American politics. House of Cards follows U.S congressman Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey. Underwood is a ruthless man out for revenge after the promise by the President to appoint him Secretary of State was reneged upon.

Reeling from the betrayal, Frank with help from his equally calculating wife Claire Underwood, attempts to gain power by other means and get back at those who wronged him. This intense political drama impressed a host of critics and fans alike, even President Obama, who called it his favorite show on TV at the time.

7. Mad Men (2007)

Mad Men offers some insight into the media world quite similar to shows like Succession. Only in this case, we follow the trials and tribulations a star advertising executive faces in 1960s New York. Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm, is a bit of a mysterious character, who has to juggle the pressure from work while keeping the home life balanced.

Mad Men has ended its run but the show is still highly recommended to date, having led a new era of television shows. The period drama earned countless accolades and despite its title, has also been lauded by some for its non-tokenistic feminism.

Also Read: Shows like Mad Men

8. House of Lies (2012-2016)

Although a dynasty family might not be the center of it compared to shows like Succession, House of Lies has characters almost completely devoid of any morality or ethics. The show follows a close-knit group of corporate consultants who pride themselves on tricking their clients into giving them hefty paychecks.

We are taken on a ride as the team of consultants resort to dirty tricks and maneuvers. This group themselves are somewhat of a close family unit, one in which everyone wants to impress their calculating boss and father figure, Marty Kaan played by Don Cheadle. It’s a quick-witted show filled with a lot of profanity, snide remarks, and characters that would fit right into the world of shows like Succession.

9. Dynasty (2017)

Dynasty, similar to shows like Succession, leaves no stone unturned in displaying the glitz and the glam of the wealthy families, while also exposing the corruption that goes into building these riches. This reboot of the ’80s classic is about the Carringtons and the Colbys, two super-rich families who get caught up in a major feud over their fortune and children.

Told from the perspectives of two women from the opposite sides, this riveting drama has its fair share of surprise twists, love triangles, family betrayals and, naturally, opulent looks. If you’re looking for shows like Succession, then this is the one for you.

10. Empire (2015)

Similar to series like Succession, Empire centers on Empire Entertainment, a hip-hop record label and entertainment company helmed by Lucius Lyon (Terrence Howard). After hip-hop mogul Lucius Lyon learns that he is dying from ALS, he must choose which of his three sons will be his successor. All angling for control of his massive empire, we watch the three sons battle it out, as well as his ex-wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) who was just released from prison.

This intense, soapy drama is packed with great performances, suspenseful twists and there’s definitely no shortage of glamorous costumes. The show received six Emmy Award nominations, including two nominations for Henson’s performance.

11. Bloodline (2015)

Bloodline centers on the Rayburn family who, on the surface, appear like a typical modern and close-knit family, but we find quickly that there are a lot of skeletons in their closets. Similar to Succession, the family tends to take sides and make alliances, and as the lies build up the seemingly good characters are forced to do terrible things.

With the arrival of the black sheep of the family from Miami, terrible secrets, lies, and crimes buried deep beneath the Rayburns’ sunny veneer finally get exposed. The Rayburns might not be well-known everywhere, but they’re a pillar in their Floridian community and have to keep up appearances as their family is slowly destroyed by the ghosts from the past.

12. Arrested Development (2003)

Arrested Development follows a widower and father named Michael Bluth (Bateman), who’s after his father, a corrupt real estate developer, gets arrested. Arrested Development is similar to shows like Succession, well,  if you made Succession a sitcom. Jason Bateman stars as Michael Bluth, the loyal, warm-hearted son of a wealthy family who reluctantly agrees to run the family business after his father is arrested for stealing company funds.

Keeping his dysfunctional family together  proves to be a major challenge, however, since the family is manipulative and materialistic. Arrested Development was widely praised for its use of satire, physical comedy, its brilliant use of voice-overs and is said to be by far one of the best sitcoms to ever grace the small screen, earning six Emmy Awards.

Also Read: Shows like Arrested Development

13. The Crown (2016)

In the league of family drama series similar to shows like Succession, The Crown will find its place. The show chronicles the  rise and life struggles of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. This series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who at just 25 years, ascended the throne upon the death of her father, King George VI.

Created by Peter Morgan, the show tries to be as accurate as possible giving an inside look into the Queen’s life as a human rather than a head of the United Kingdom, while also adding some sprinklings of fiction for dramatic effect. The Crown is prime entertainment chock full with diplomatic tussles, royal drama, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries.

14. The Morning Show (2019)

The Morning Show offers us a look at the world of modern television media, similar to series like Succession. Jennifer Aniston gives a brilliant performance as top anchor Alex Levy who finds herself, after her co-host of 15 years is fired for sexual misconduct. On the verge of being fired herself amid falling ratings, she fights to retain control of her job in the cutthroat world of morning TV.

Under the impression that she was gunning for her job, She finds herself in a fierce competition with new reporter Bradley Johnson, played by Reese Witherspoon. The show shines on the scandals, intrigues and feuds behind the influential titular program. The series has gained great reviews receiving 11 Emmy Award nominations so far.

15. The Great (2020)

Power struggles are a common theme in period dramas, similar to shows like Succession, and maybe more appropriately, The Crown. The Great, tracks the rise of Empress Catherine the Great played by Elle Fanning, the outsider who maneuvered her way to become Russia’s longest-reigning female ruler.

The show, created by Tony McNamara, treats its viewers to a modern sense of humor, vividly absurd characters and displays of utter lavishness. The series has earned six Emmy nominations to date, including nominations for Fanning’s and Hoult’s performances; its one win being for Outstanding Costume Design.

Honorable Mentions:

Here are a few TV shows like Succession that didn’t make the list which you can also check out:

  1. Enlightened
  2. Big Little Liars
  3. The Undoing
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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