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There are very few real - life history pattern that have been depicted on - screen as the various Presidents of the United States , but plenty of movies and television receiver shows have also created their own fictional character to adopt these title . From long - run political drama to more short - pattern comedies in the genre , the White House has always been a pop localization for boob tube shows to take over . Some of thebest political thriller of all timehave concentrate on themselves around the US government , using the POTUS as a lens through which to research broad society .
Netflix ’s late seriesZero Dayis another addition to this genre , following Robert De Niro ’s former President George Mullen , as he investigates a devastating cyberattack that has drastic consequences for US national security . WhileZero Dayhas opened to mixed revue , it effectively proves one of import matter : audiences will never grow hackneyed of display that bring them behind the drape of the White House .
10Matt Santos - Played By Jimmy Smits
The West Wing (1999-2006)
The West Wingis arguably the defining political drama of this century , so it ’s no surprise that some of the show ’s fabricated United States President are still remembered fondly today . WhileMatt Santos is n’t the best president from the show , he was still a brilliant gain to the cast whose dynamic with the existing tout ensemble really brought those later seasons to life story . He was undeniably primed for the character , exemplifying all the stoical leading that citizen would expect from the President of the United States . Jimmy Smits gave an excellent public presentation that managed to keepThe West Wingalive despite many season .
Aaron Sorkin ’s hit political dramatic event , The West Wing , had a spiritual successor 13 years later , but here ’s why it was never as well - received .
9Conrad Dalton - Played By Keith Carradine
Madam Secretary (2014-2019)
Madam Secretarydoesn’t always get the realization it deserves for its rich , layered exploration of American politics , but one aspect of the show that ’s wide praise is Keith Carradine ’s portrayal of President Conrad Dalton . While the serial mostly focalize on friend Elizabeth McCord and her work as Secretary of State , Carradine ’s defend role was still a vast highlight . AlthoughMadam Secretarywasn’t renew for a seventh season , it ’s still remembered as one of the strongest and most realistic depictions of White House politics in recent retentiveness .
8Mackenzie Allen - Played By Geena Davis
Commander In Chief (2005-2006)
There ’s lots to be admire aboutCommander in Chief , from its progressive take on gender stereotypes in American political relation to its tart , accurate writing that constantly keep hearing on the edge of their seats . The show watch the fictional organization and nonadaptive kinsperson animation of Mackenzie Allen , the first distaff President of the United States . The show did a brilliant caper ofinterweaving personal drama with more spheric , international politicsthat managed to quicken the appetites of many different audiences . Davis ’ fancied prexy was an passing strong one who faced innumerable challenges in the show , but always survived .
7Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III - Played By Tony Goldwyn
Scandal (2012-2018)
Scandalwas another hugely successful dramatic play that explored daily life in the White House through countless interesting characters and complex relationships , really bring to life the tension involve with this line of reasoning of work . While the show focused on the President of the United States ’s former medium advisor Olivia Pope , Grant still take on a huge function in the storythroughout its many seasons . While many audiences are calling forOlivia Pope to return in another show , Scandalwouldn’t have worked half as well without Goldwyn ’s supporting purpose - and a fresh project would struggle to retake that energy .
6Charles Logan - Played By Gregory Itzin
24 (2001-2010)
While Charles Logan certainly is n’t a “ good ” president in an objective good sense , he bring so much tension and intrigue to24that really raise the show after a couple of seasons that shinny to find their function . He was the successor to Geoff Pierson ’s President Keeler , who was sworn in after the former suffered a critical hurt at the hands of a terrorist group . This subplot is well one of24 ’s most interesting overarching narratives , and Logan ’s graphic symbol developing throughout the late seasons is captivating to watch .
5Selina Meyer - Played By Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Veep (2012-2019)
While several of TV ’s most iconic president are either sworn in suddenly in the show ’s later season or serve in the White House for the full show , the great thing aboutVeepis thataudiences get to watch Selina Meyer go up the political ladder in real - sentence . She does n’t become President of the United States until the third time of year , by which point viewers have already come to love her as the Vice President . This makes the show so much more compelling , and Julia Louis - Dreyfus ’ critically acclaim performance makes this even more piquant .
4Tom Kirkman - Played By Kiefer Sutherland
Designated Survivor (2016-2019)
It ’s hard to discuss thegreatest fictional presidentswithout at least mentioningDesignated Survivor ; the show introduced a whole new audience to political thrillers , cashing in on Kiefer Sutherland ’s iconic position as Jack Bauer and bringing him to the other side of the Oval Office . The show follow his protagonist Tom Kirkman ashe ’s suddenly encourage to POTUS after a devastating attack on the White Housethat get out every other nominee deadened . Designated Survivordoes an splendid job of voyage the difficult decisions that American politicians make on a daily groundwork , focusing on the effect this has on Kirkman ’s family .
3Claire Underwood - Played By Robin Wright
House Of Cards (2013-2018)
House of Cardswas the biggest show on Netflix for a long time , and remains one of the most influential political thriller in the account of the genre . The show follow Kevin Spacey ’s champion Frank Underwood following his appointment as Secretary of State , where he turn alongside his wife Claire to climb the political run and get retaliation on those who tried to weaken his career .
Robin Wright ’s depiction of Claire Underwood was a shining beacon that kept the show alive in its darkest moment .
Whileboth Frank and Claire try out their hands at the presidencythroughoutHouse of Cards , the latter was undeniably the stronger prospect for the function . While Frank ’s politics were often shrouded by subterranean motives and personal blood feud , Claire was a much more useful leader who in the end proved herself to be the winner of the total show in its final season . Although fans criticise the show ’s final seasons so to a great extent thatHouse of Cards ’ showrunners at last had to excuse , Robin Wright ’s portraiture of Claire Underwood was a shining lighthouse that kept the show alive in its dark import .
2David Palmer - Played By Dennis Haysbert
The complete opposite of24 ’s other United States President Charles Logan , the show ’s first POTUS David Palmer was an first-class add-on to the cast whose fiery moral force with protagonist Jack Bauer create much of the intrigue and latent hostility of the first few season . Not only was Palmer an constitutional part of the story , but Dennis Haysbert ’s magnetic performance made him somebody that audience cared about even when he was n’t on - sieve . He ’s ab initio sworn into office afterJack Bauer prevents his assassination , go to a sharp camaraderie between the two characters that lasts until the latter ’s dying in season 5 .
Zero Day lead Lizzy Caplan and show Lord Eric Newman take out the series ’ finish and the motive of those who orchestrated the mortal cyberattack .
The most enticing thing about David Palmer throughout24is that he represents the objective good of American politics . Where many dramas would shy away from a character that represents democratic values so cleanly and openly,24realizes that you do n’t demand a morally equivocal chairperson to make tensions in the White House moil over . Even the most well - intentioned citizenry can fall victim to political worry , and that ’s on the button what happens to Palmer .
1Jed Bartlet- Played By Martin Sheen
The West Wingis a political play at its core , but it ’s surprising how long it took the writer to take in that Martin Sheen ’s president was undeniably the most engaging part of the show ’s early season . His portraying of Jed Bartlet was everything audiences want from this variety of sharp thriller , with his witty stolidity and fierce integrity that once again exhibit the complete part of American political relation .
Many ofThe West Wing ’s best episodesare those that focalize on Bartlet ’s struggles to keep his policies on the White House floor , campaign against the Republican absolute majority in his congress . It ’s a very simple character arc that does n’t demand too many complicated idea or tangential subplots , but it works because of Aaron Sorkin ’s fantabulous authorship and the personal appeal exuded by Sheen ’s fictional Chief Executive .
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Cast
In Aaron Sorkin ’s classic political procedural , the older staff of President Josiah Bartlet ( Martin Sheen ) face the daily challenge of help to escape the country from the West Wing of the White House . The series features an ensemble dramatis personae that also admit Rob Lowe , Dulé Hill , Bradley Whitford , Allison Janney , Richard Schiff , and John Spencer .
In Aaron Sorkin’s classic political procedural, the senior staff of President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) face the daily challenge of helping to run the country from the West Wing of the White House. The series features an ensemble cast that also includes Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, and John Spencer.
In Aaron Sorkin’s classic political procedural, the senior staff of President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) face the daily challenge of helping to run the country from the West Wing of the White House. The series features an ensemble cast that also includes Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, and John Spencer.
