TV Shows Like Scandal That Will Keep You Hooked
- 01. These TV Shows Like Scandal Are Must-Watch Now
- 02. Why These Shows Capture the Scandal Formula
- 03. Top 10 TV Shows Like Scandal: Ranked by Similarity
- 04. Deep Dive: The Top 5 Shows Like Scandal
- 05. 1. House of Cards (2013-2018)
- 06. 2. The Good Wife (2009-2016)
- 07. 3. How to Get Away with Murder (2014-2020)
- 08. 4. The West Wing (1999-2006)
- 09. 5. Suits (2011-2019)
- 10. Other Notable Mentions for Scandal Fans
- 11. How to Choose Your Next Show Based on What You Loved About Scandal
These TV Shows Like Scandal Are Must-Watch Now
If you loved political thriller drama in Scandal, the top shows to watch next are House of Cards, The Good Wife, How to Get Away with Murder, The West Wing, and Suits-all featuring high-stakes power plays, strong female leads, and gripping twists that mirror Olivia Pope's crisis-management world.
Why These Shows Capture the Scandal Formula
Scandal, created by Shonda Rhimes and premiering April 5, 2012, ran for seven seasons until April 19, 2018, starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope-a crisis manager fixing Washington D.C.'s biggest political disasters. The show's high-stakes intrigue combines White House politics, secret affairs, moral dilemmas, and "gladiators in suits" who wield power with ruthless precision.
Viewers seeking similar shows want three core elements: complex protagonists navigating power structures, fast-paced plot twists, and exploration of ethics in leadership. These qualities appear across legal dramas, espionage thrillers, and political series that follow Scandal's blueprint.
Top 10 TV Shows Like Scandal: Ranked by Similarity
| Rank | Show Title | Years Aired | Key Similarity to Scandal | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | House of Cards | 2013-2018 | Ruthless political power plays & manipulation | Netflix |
| 2 | The Good Wife | 2009-2016 | Strong female lead recovered from public scandal | Netflix, Paramount+ |
| 3 | How to Get Away with Murder | 2014-2020 | Shonda Rhimes production; legal thriller with twists | Netflix, Hulu |
| 4 | The West Wing | 1999-2006 | Accurate White House operations & political drama | Max, Peacock |
| 5 | Suits | 2011-2019 | Cutthroat legal world & stylish crisis management | Netflix, Peacock |
| 6 | Madam Secretary | 2014-2019 | Female Secretary of State navigating diplomacy | Paramount+, Netflix |
| 7 | Revenge | 2011-2015 | Secrets, revenge plots & wealthy elite drama | Netflix, Hulu |
| 8 | Designated Survivor | 2016-2019 | Cabinet member becomes President after catastrophe | Netflix, Disney+ |
| 9 | Homeland | 2011-2020 | Intense CIA espionage & national security stakes | Showtime, Starz |
| 10 | Being Mary Jane | 2013-2019 | Black female lead balancing career & family | BET+, Netflix |
This data reflects critical consensus and viewer ratings across multiple entertainment databases as of 2024, with House of Cards receiving 7 Emmy nominations in its first season alone.
Deep Dive: The Top 5 Shows Like Scandal
1. House of Cards (2013-2018)
House of Cards follows ruthless politician Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his ambitious wife Claire (Robin Wright) as they manipulate their way to the presidency through cold-blooded strategy. The show delivers even darker political machinations than Scandal, with Underwood breaking the fourth wall to share his sinister plans directly with viewers.
"House of Cards is an exceptional political drama that lives up to its acclaim and numerous awards. Spacey and Wright deliver outstanding performances." - CinemaJump analysis
While the series declined after Spacey's 2017 departure, the first four seasons remain peak political thriller television with 63 Emmy nominations total.
2. The Good Wife (2009-2016)
Julianna Margulies stars as Alicia Florrick, a stay-at-home wife who returns to litigation after her husband's public sex scandal destroys their reputation. Like Olivia Pope, Alicia rebuilds her life through professional excellence while navigating betrayals within powerful institutions.
The show ran for 156 episodes across seven seasons, earning 63 Emmy nominations and 2 wins, with Margulies winning a Golden Globe in 2011. Its ensemble cast includes Christine Baranski, Matt Czuchry, and Josh Charles, all delivering consistent high-quality performances.
3. How to Get Away with Murder (2014-2020)
Also created by Shonda Rhimes, this legal thriller stars Viola Davis as Annalise Keating-a brilliant, seductive law professor entangled in a murder plot with five students. Davis's characterization mirrors Olivia Pope's fiercely independent nature, making Annalise a potential mentor figure to Olivia.
The series features flash-forward storytelling showing murders before revealing how they happened, creating addictive mystery loops that keep viewers guessing. Viola Davis made history as the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015.
4. The West Wing (1999-2006)
Created by Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing offers an idealistic portrayal of White House operations under President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen), focusing on staffers navigating political challenges. Political science professors praise its accurate political description, making it both entertaining and educational.
The show won 26 Emmy Awards including Outstanding Drama Series four consecutive years (2000-2003), establishing the gold standard for political drama that Scandal later subverted with darker themes.
5. Suits (2011-2019)
Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams star as Harvey Specter and Mike Ross in this stylish legal drama set in New York City's cutthroat corporate law world. Jessica Pearson runs a law firm that controls damages and represents clients using crisis-management tactics similar to Olivia Pope's firm.
The series ran for 134 episodes, became one of Netflix's most-watched shows globally in 2020 with 1.5 billion viewing hours, and features sharp dialogue that rivals Scandal's witty exchanges.
Other Notable Mentions for Scandal Fans
- Madam Secretary (2014-2019): Téa Leoni plays Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord handling international diplomacy while battling office politics
- Revenge (2011-2015): Emily VanCamp seeks vengeance against the Grayson family for her father's wrongful accusation, featuring layered secrets
- Designated Survivor: Kiefer Sutherland becomes President after a Capitol attack, leading through national crisis
- Homeland: Claire Danes stars as a CIA officer preventing terrorist attacks while battling personal demons
- Being Mary Jane: Gabrielle Union plays a Black news anchor balancing career ambition with family devotion, similar to Olivia's dual life
These shows explore the dark underbelly of power and complexities of human nature through captivating storylines with suspenseful plot twists.
How to Choose Your Next Show Based on What You Loved About Scandal
- If you loved Olivia's crisis management skills: Watch Suits or The Good Wife for legal crisis tactics and damage control strategies
- If you loved White House political intrigue: Watch House of Cards, The West Wing, or Designated Survivor for behind-the-scenes power plays
- If you loved Shonda Rhimes' writing style: Watch How to Get Away with Murder for the same creator's signature twists and strong female leads
- If you loved espionage and CIA operations: Watch Homeland or State of Affairs for national security suspense
- If you loved revenge plots and secrets: Watch Revenge or Big Little Lies for layered mystery narratives
This framework helps viewers match their specific Scandal preferences to the most satisfying alternative shows.
Everything you need to know about Tv Shows Like Scandal That Will Keep You Hooked
What shows are most similar to Scandal?
House of Cards, The Good Wife, and How to Get Away with Murder are the three most similar shows to Scandal, sharing political intrigue, strong female leads, and twist-filled storylines.
Is How to Get Away with Murder by the same creator as Scandal?
Yes, Shonda Rhimes created both Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder, which explains their similar tone, strong female protagonists, and signature plot twists.
Where can I watch shows like Scandal?
Most shows like Scandal stream on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, with House of Cards exclusive to Netflix, The Good Wife on Netflix and Paramount+, and The West Wing on Max and Peacock.
How many seasons did Scandal run for?
Scandal ran for seven seasons from April 5, 2012 to April 19, 2018, producing 124 episodes starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope.
What makes a show similar to Scandal?
Shows similar to Scandal feature political thriller elements, complex protagonists navigating power structures, crisis management plotlines, moral ambiguity, and fast-paced twists that keep viewers engaged.
