Entertainment
CBS’ Forgotten Political Thriller Quietly Becomes a Streaming Hit 7 Years Later
There have been some truly fantastic political thrillers in the past two decades. Whether you want high-stakes international espionage found in Homeland or a salacious White House romance over on Scandal, this genre always offers plenty of intrigue and drama. Some of these shows have more charming idealism, like The West Wing, while others offer heart-racing plot points, like The Diplomat. If you’re looking for a political thriller that combines the vibes of all of these dramas, there’s one CBS show that’s currently finding a whole new audience over on Apple TV.
What Is ‘Madam Secretary’ About?
Madam Secretary first started airing in 2014, and with a total of six seasons and 120 episodes, it’s completely worthy of a binge-watch. Created by Barbara Hall (Judging Amy), the series follows Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni), a former CIA analyst who is appointed the next United States Secretary of State. Elizabeth has a loving family, including her husband, Henry (Tim Daly, who would end up marrying Leoni in real life in 2025), and their three children. After retiring from the CIA to work as a political science professor, Elizabeth at first seems like an unusual candidate for such an esteemed and high-profile position. But her former CIA boss, Conrad Dalton (Keith Carradine), is now the President of the United States, and deems her worthy of the position.
There’s just one catch: the previous Secretary of State has died in a mysterious plane crash, and part of Elizabeth’s new job responsibilities include trying to figure out who was behind his death. Elizabeth is quickly thrown into a high-pressure environment, including an icy chief of staff named Nadine Tolliver (Bebe Neuwirth), who is wary of Elizabeth’s lack of political experience. With all of these obstacles, it would be easy for someone to crumble, but Elizabeth rises to the occasion, leading the country (and her family) to peace.
‘Madam Secretary’ Is an Addictive Drama With an Incredible Cast
Madam Secretary would be fun to watch just to see each episode’s drama unfold. But it becomes even more binge-worthy because of the political intrigue that threads throughout the series. Whether Elizabeth is juggling international relations or just interpersonal conflicts within her office, there are always twists and turns to keep things interesting. In any given episode, Elizabeth might be addressing a vast global emergency or the challenges of being a working mom, but she’s still able to pull everything off like a pro. Madam Secretary operates at a breakneck speed and is an example of past network shows that featured seasons with more than 22 episodes each. Because of this pace, the series never fails to draw you in and keep your attention. Madam Secretary is also incredibly authentic, and this realism is apparent in several real-life secretaries of state making appearances in Season 5, including Hillary Clinton, Colin Powell, and Madeleine Albright (who actually plays herself giving advice to Elizabeth in Season 2 as well).
Madam Secretary could have fallen flat with a leading lady with less charisma. Luckily, Leoni is pure brilliance here as the tough-as-nails and intelligent Elizabeth. She inspires a quiet confidence that’s evident in subtle gestures and in pointed dialogue that work to make her a protagonist truly worth celebrating. But the show doesn’t just highlight Leoni’s talents. Daly is a great scene partner for Leoni as the supportive, steady force helping ground her during times of extreme stress. Neuwirth is also exceptional as the stern Nadine, whose taciturn nature actually belies a complex personal life. Zeljko Ivanek, Erich Bergen, Patina Miller, and Sebastian Arcelus all create a fascinating team that supports Elizabeth’s administration, and each actor portrays characters that feel both compelling and realistic. Some network shows run the risk of feeling predictable and schmaltzy, but because of Madam Secretary‘s stellar cast, the series never fails to be exceptional.
If you’d like a break from real-life politics, but still want to get sucked into a completely gripping Washington, DC-set drama, Madam Secretary should fit the bill. With an exciting twist in Season 6 (hint: technically, the title of the show should have been changed), the series never rests on its laurels, always evolving with riveting storylines and impressive performances. The series ended in 2019, but it concludes with a natural progression for the characters, ensuring that Madam Secretary is the perfect, relevant political thriller to add to your must-watch list.
Seasons 1–6 are available to stream on Apple TV or Prime Video in the U.S.
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