5 shows you should watch while you wait for season 3 of 'House of Cards'
Just like everyone else, we are ecstatic that House of Cards is coming back. We aren't as ecstatic that we have to wait a whole three months to see it.
So to bide the cold winter months before Frank Underwood returns to his cutthroat, Machiavellian ways, we have a couple of ruthless political shows that will hold you over until Feb. 27.
House of Cards (BBC version)
You can never go wrong with the original. The UK version of House of Cards was as cutthroat as the U.S. version -- though maybe not as stylish. A three-part miniseries that started in 1990 and ended in 1995, it shows the political schemings of Francis Urquhart (played by Ian Richardson), a chief whip who manipulates, backstabs and even murders people to be prime minister. Richardson's Francis is a bit more intimidating than Kevin Spacey's Southern gentleman, but he's just as fun to watch. But be careful -- you're probably spoiling the third season of House of Cards if you binge through this series.
Scandal
You knew this was going to be on the list. Olivia Pope and her team of gladiators are as effective as Frank Underwood (albeit, not as murderous). And the show is ten times more juicy. Illicit affairs, antiheroes and political coverups are all there -- but with a soap opera flair. The show follows former White House communications director and current crisis manager Olivia Pope as she navigates political crises and her own destructive affair with the president of the United States. It's just as intense and ridiculous as House of Cards so this may be just the show to fill your void until February.
Veep
Are the barrage of murders and political schemes getting you down, but the political junkie in you just can't quit? Pick up Veep, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the foul-mouthed, power-hungry Vice President Selina Meyer. She's hilariously inept and goofy, and even if you don't like the incessant swearing, the dialogue is golden. Set in the same universe as the BBC political satire show The Thick of It (another great show you should watch), Veep has all the political clawing but with way more fun.
Game of Thrones
You might be asking, what does a medieval fantasy show have to do with a modern-day political show set in Washington D.C.? Answer: everything. Game of Thrones is the most political non-politics show you'll see on TV, and its political storylines often take precedent over any dragons or ice zombies. The show highlights the corruption and decadence in the capital of King's Landing, and many of the show's most devastating scenes come about thanks to political maneuverings. There's something to be said when one of the show's most powerful characters is a dwarf with a sharp mind and penchant for bribing people.
Alpha House
The newest and most untried of these political shows, Alpha House is about four Republican congressmen who bunk in one Capitol Hill house together. Hilarity ensues. Starring John Goodman, the show is based off real-life senators who actually do live together, and goes down much easier than the intense politicking of House of Cards. The Amazon satire series just released a second season and is ripe for binge-watching if you have a Prime account.
Or you could just watch the House of Cards teaser video over and over again.