The Politician (2019)
A darkly comic Netflix satire following one young man's ruthlessly calculated journey from high school politics to the halls of real power.
The Politician - Series Information
- Original Title: The Politician
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Ian Brennan, Ryan Murphy et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 15
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 27, 2019 (United States - TV-14), September 27, 2019 (Germany - 12), September 27, 2019 (Australia - MA15+), September 27, 2019 (Brazil - 14), September 27, 2019 (Mexico - B-15), September 27, 2019 (Spain - 12), September 27, 2019 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Netflix
- Production Companies: Fox 21 Television Studios, Ryan Murphy Television, Brad Falchuk Teley-vision, Prospect Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Politician - Plot
Payton has known since childhood that he's going to be president. First he'll have to navigate the most treacherous political landscape: high school.
The Politician - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get your first look at Payton Hobart's ruthless campaign:
We promise you bi partisanship.
Where to Watch The Politician
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The Politician - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ian Brennan
- Ryan Murphy
- Brad Falchuk
Main Cast
- Ben Platt
- Lucy Boynton
- Zoey Deutch
- Julia Schlaepfer
- Laura Dreyfuss
- Theo Germaine
- Rahne Jones
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- David Corenswet
- Benjamin Barrett
Executive Producers
- Brad Falchuk
- Ben Platt
- Ian Brennan
- Ryan Murphy
- Gwyneth Paltrow
The Politician - FAQs
Where can you stream The Politician online?
The Politician is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. If you prefer to own it, the series can be purchased through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Who plays Payton Hobart in The Politician?
Ben Platt leads the cast as Payton Hobart, the fiercely ambitious student determined to become president of the United States. Platt is joined by Lucy Boynton, Zoey Deutch, Julia Schlaepfer, Gwyneth Paltrow, and a stellar ensemble that grows even more star-studded in Season 2.
Is The Politician worth watching?
If sharp satire, outrageous characters, and a wickedly stylish aesthetic appeal to you, absolutely. Ryan Murphy's signature maximalism is on full display, and Ben Platt's committed performance anchors the chaos beautifully. Season 2 raises the stakes with Judith Light, Bette Midler, and Jessica Lange joining the fray.
What is The Politician about?
The series follows Payton Hobart, a wealthy Santa Barbara teenager who has mapped out his entire life toward the presidency. Season 1 centers on his ruthless campaign for student body president, while Season 2 escalates to a New York State Senate race, skewering political ambition at every turn.
Why did The Politician end after two seasons?
Netflix never officially renewed The Politician for a third season, and the show quietly concluded after Season 2 in 2020. Ryan Murphy had spoken about a planned multi-season arc following Payton's political rise, but the series ended without the storyline reaching its intended presidential destination.
How many seasons and episodes does The Politician have?
The Politician ran for two seasons and a total of 15 episodes. Season 1 comprised 8 episodes set in high school, while Season 2 delivered 7 episodes centered on a New York State Senate campaign. Both seasons are available in full on Netflix.
Who created The Politician on Netflix?
The series was created by the prolific trio of Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk — the same creative team behind Glee, American Horror Story, and Scream Queens. The Politician marked their first project developed exclusively for Netflix under Murphy's landmark deal with the streaming giant.
What shows are similar to The Politician?
Fans of The Politician's satirical edge and darkly comic tone may enjoy Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Brass Eye, or Spin for their sharp social commentary. For lighter comedy with ensemble casts, Clarissa Explains It All and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis offer entertaining comparisons across different eras.
More About The Politician
Explore further details, cast information, and community discussions about the series.