Last October 2023,Billionscame to an end after its seventh and final season that concluded the story. The Showtime drama follows Chuck Rhoades, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and his relentless pursuit to take down the wealthy businesspersons who manipulate the system. At first, he sets his sights on Bobby “Axe’” Axelrod, head of a hedge fund that he believes partakes in dirty deals. In later seasons, he moves on to Mike Prince, a billionaire who has taken over Axe’s business.
The series has themes dealing with politics, economic inequality, stock trading, dirty deals, and a constant pursuit of power.WhileBillionshad a good run, fans can rest easy knowing that there are other similar shows worth watchingthat tackle similar themes and showcase thrilling pursuits of power.
15’Super Pumped: The Battle For Uber' (2022-)
Created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien
Also created byBillionsco-creatorBrian Koppelman(withDavid Levien),Super Pumped: The Battle for Uberis an anthology drama series. Based on the eponymous nonfiction book byMike Isaac,The Battle for Uberis the first part of the series and followsa dramatic retelling of Uber’s foundationand growth and how the company’s CEO was ultimately ousted in a boardroom coup.Joseph Gordon-Levittplays a fictionalized version of real-life Uber CEO,Travis Kalanick, whileKyle ChandlerplaysBill Gurley, withUma ThurmanandElisabeth Shuein supporting roles.
Told from Kalanick’s perspective,Super Pumped: The Battle for Uberfollows a similar story of the rise and fall of enterprises and entrepreneurs likeBillions. While the events surrounding Uber might not be as theatrical and thrilling as those of Axe Capital,The Battle for Ubergives a dramatic look into the outrageous events of the ride-sharing company’s 15-year existence. The show’s upcoming second season is said to be based on Isaac’s next book about Facebook. –Maddie P
Watch on Netflix
14’Boss' (2011-2012)
Created byFarhad Safinia,Bossfollows the Mayor of Chicago, Tom Kane, who gets diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. Fearing he will lose his position and power, Kane decides to keep his disease a secret from his family, friends, and staff, except his own physician. Despite his best efforts in secrecy, Kane starts to show symptoms, becoming a target for the current Illinois governor.CheersandFrasierstarKelsey Grammerleads the cast as the titular protagonist, Tom Kane, for which he earned an Emmy, whileConnie Nielsenstars as Tom’s wife, Meredith.
Bossis more of a political drama than a business drama likeBillions,but the Starz series also explores a similar pursuit of endless power and influence. While Mayor Kane is as much of a gritty player as Bobby Axelrod, the narrative ofBossillustrates more gravitas and maturity, which you can attribute largely to Grammer’s characterization. –Maddie P
13’House of Cards' (2013-2018)
Created by Beau Willimon
Based onMichael Dobb’s eponymous 1989 novel and adapted from the 1990 British series of the same name,House of Cardsfollows the rise and fall of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), an unscrupulous politician from South Carolina’s 5th congressional district and his equally ambitious and cunning wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright). When Frank is passed over for his most-coveted position of Secretary of State, he uses his status as a political whip to devise an elaborate scheme to rise to power with the help of Claire. The massive ensemble cast also featuresMahershala Ali,Michael Kelly,Corey Stoll, andJayne Atkinsonin various roles.
Created byBeau Willimon, the six-season long, multi-award-wining series is one ofthe best political dramasthat also matches the length and breadth ofBillions. IfBillionsfeels ominous and tense,House of Cardsis several shades darker, exploring ruthless realism, manipulation, betrayal, exploitation of political positions, and toxic interpersonal relationships. –Maddie P
House of Cards
12’The Dropout' (2022)
Created by Elizabeth Meriwether
The biographical drama miniseries is a dramatized retelling of the controversies surrounding biotech company Theranos and its founder,Elizabeth Holmes,played byAmanda Seyfriedin an Emmy-winning performance. Based on the podcast of the same name,The Dropoutfollows Holmes’s foray into healthcare with a concept that quickly puts millions of patients at risk, resulting in her quick downfall. The Hulu series comes fromNew GirlcreatorElizabeth Meriwetherand features an ensemble cast withNaveen Andrews,Elizabeth Marvel,William H. Macy,Stephen Fry,Bill Irwin,Laurie Metcalf, andSam Waterstonportraying various real-life characters.
Based on real-life incidents that shook the healthcare industry,The Dropoutis also a story of fame, fortune, and ambition gone horribly wrong, much like Bobby Axelrod. While the rise and fall of Holmes is a hard-hitting depiction of relentless power and greed, Seyfried’s unsettling portrayal of a healthcare mogul remains the most impressive aspect of the show. –Maddie P
The Dropout
11’Suits' (2011-2019)
Created by Aaron Korsh
While it originally aired on USA Network years ago,Suitshas been experiencing a resurgence of interest on Netflix. The legal drama follows a fictional New York City law firm and its partners and employees. However, it focuses more on the relationships between everyone than it does the cases they work on.
At the center is Mike Ross, a brilliant young man with an eidetic memory who is hired as a new associate. However, he doesn’t technically have a law degree, a fact conveniently kept under wraps. As he raises his profile, this small but crucial detail haunts Mike, and the very reputation of the firm.With themes of love in the workplace, personal drama, and tight friendships along with wealthy characters who live lavish lifestyles,Suitsis the perfect next watch.
10’Succession' (2018-2023)
Created by Jesse Armstrong
When it comes to greedy and arrogant one-percenters and their constant pursuit of power and influence, no show fits the bill quite likeSuccession. The multi-Emmy-winning series also centers around a fictional company, but this time, it’s a family-owned business empire, a media conglomerate with its hands in everything from news stations to cruise lines.
The focus onSuccessionis company founder Logan Roy struggling with the decision of which of his incapable and troubled kids he should hand the company over to. But like onBillions, he, and the others, face constant scrutiny and meddling from outside forces. Whether it’s a wealthy tech billionaire who wants to buy the company or a scandal that could spell the end, the themes are similar in theseshows about the rich.
Succession
9’Damages' (2007-2012)
Created by Glenn Kessler, Todd A. Kessler, and Daniel Zelman
The multiple Emmy Award-winning legal drama from the late 2000s isknown for its superb storytelling and great plot twists and makes for a must-watch forBillionsfans.Damagesrevolves around the brilliant but ruthless lawyer, Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) of Hewes & Associates, and her new protegee Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). The series simultaneously explores Patty and Ellen’s professional and personal dynamics and Patty’s relentless pursuit of maintaining her winning status, whatever it takes.Ted Danson,Tate Donovan,William Hurt,Marcia Gay Harden, andNoah Beanalso star in recurring roles.
Damagesbears more resemblance toScandalandSuitsthanBillionsand makes for a compelling case for a toxic relationship between the mentor and the protégé. However, Patty and Ellen’s strategic war on integrity and righteousness is quite close to Bobby and Chuck’s power struggles. Glenn Close’s portrayal of a sharp and ruthless litigator and master manipulator remains iconic and one of her career best, while Rose Byrne’s Ellen is equally remarkable. –Maddie P
Watch on Hulu
Created by Matthew Weiner
Set in the ‘60s and ‘70s,Mad Menprovides a glimpse into the advertising world in New York City during the heyday of print advertising. It was a time when some of the most iconic advertising campaigns were launched: think Lucky Strike cigarettes and Kodak cameras. The men who head up the advertising firm are wealthy, entitled, and arrogant, just like the heads at Axe Capital.
Don Draper can be likened, in some ways, to Bobby Axelrod, both troubled men who came from tough upbringings but managed to make something of themselves. Both have chips on their shoulders and struggle to maintain power, influence, and their relationships. The setting and tone might be different with less political interference. But fans ofBillionswill appreciate whatMad Menhas to offer.
7’Scandal' (2012-2018)
Created by Shonda Rhimes
Focusing more on the political side,Kerry WashingtonplaysOlivia Pope inScandal, a talented political fixer who is often called in to help the White House with crisis management. She, however, falls for the married president and their torrid affair becomes intertwined with her work, his presidency, and a massive scandal they try to keep under wraps.
Both shows touch on politics and legal issues, and showcase clever ways that talented, knowledgeable peoplewithin the one percent get out of jams of all kinds. Olivia is like a mix of Axe and Wendy, able to fix any problem but also struggling to deal with her own.
6’Ray Donovan' (2013-2020)
Created by Ann Biderman
Another series centered around a political fixer, the title character inRay Donovandoesn’t have a legal background, but he does have iron fists and a menacing, intimidating aura about him that suggests he isn’t someone to mess with. He helps his clients, from famous actors to politicians, sweep dirty deeds under the rug, by any means necessary.
It’s his troubled past and family life, however, that prove the downfall of Ray. The Los Angeles and New York City-set crime drama is darker and more violent thanBillions, butfor something to level up from the dialogue-heavy series, focusing more on fists of fury,Ray Donovanis a good option. Don’t forget to also check outRay Donovan: The Movie, which concluded the story following the show’s cancellation.
