“Greatest TV show of the 21st century”: 10 best power-struggle dramas on BBC, ITV, Netflix and more

Stories about power struggles have always made for great television. Unlike movies, which have to tell a complete story quickly, TV shows can take their time. They can show how things change over years, with leaders gaining and losing control, and entire empires building up and collapsing.

If you love seeing elaborate plans fall apart because of a sudden betrayal, or unexpected underdogs unexpectedly win, you’ll really enjoy these shows.

1. Succession (NOW)

With a talented cast including Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Alan Ruck, and Kieran Culkin, the show is consistently captivating. They deliver truly remarkable performances as the damaged adult children of Brian Cox’s intimidating and powerful character, Logan Roy.

Logan Roy, the family’s cynical leader, constantly teases his children with the possibility of taking over his company, but always pulls back when he doubts their abilities. He doesn’t consider them truly committed or capable. Over four seasons, we see their ongoing conflicts and shifting loyalties play out as they compete for his approval and control.

2. Industry (BBC iPlayer)

Now in its fourth season, Industry focuses less on the world of finance itself and more on the damaging effects of its cutthroat culture. The show expertly portrays how people, after being mistreated, can become perpetrators themselves. It’s incredibly intense, but compellingly so, demonstrating step-by-step how unchecked ambition and greed ultimately lead to self-destruction.

3. House of Guinness (Netflix)

The story revisits a familiar family conflict – children fighting over their father’s legacy – but this time it’s set in 19th-century Ireland. The prize isn’t jewels, but a brewery, and the family is locked in a bitter struggle over its future. This drama is inspired by the true story of the Guinness family after the death of its founder, Sir Benjamin Guinness.

What to Read Next

Don’t think this will be a dry business story – it quickly involves armed groups and vigilantes from the very beginning.

4. Game of Thrones (NOW)

No other story of power and conflict compares to George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series. It follows the lives of many characters – from noble families to commoners – all vying for control of the Iron Throne in the land of Westeros.

With growing threats emerging from the North, the arguments about who should rule start to feel unimportant, and people begin to focus on true strength and control.

They didn’t quite stick the landing but what an incredible journey getting there…

5. The Wire (NOW)

David Simon’s Baltimore drama is often called the best TV show of the 21st century, and for good reason. Its five seasons set a new standard for realism, intricate storylines, well-developed characters, and a unique point of view – qualities rarely seen on television before.

This gripping thriller delves into the tangled connections between law enforcement, politics, and the media, revealing how they become complicit with drug trafficking and organized crime.

6. The Sopranos (NOW)

The saying ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown’—meaning those in power have a heavy burden—likely applies to the challenging world of New Jersey’s waste-management industry, including its illegal operations.

The six seasons of The Sopranos start with Tony Soprano seeking therapy for panic attacks brought on by the stress of leading a criminal organization. The show’s ending is best left unspoiled. Over the course of the series, many characters cross paths with Tony, and watching him navigate the people and situations he controls – and those he can’t – creates a consistently captivating experience.

7. The Templars (ITVX)

I’m really getting into this game – it’s called La Commanderie, and it’s set way back in 14th century France after the Black Death. It’s all about the Knights Templar, those warrior monks, and honestly, a big part of the story seems to be about how people in power can mess things up – which, let’s be real, isn’t exactly a new concept!

In medieval France, powerful groups like the monarchy, the Church, and the nobility were constantly vying for control, with the very heart and spirit of the nation hanging in the balance.

8. Peaky Blinders (BBC iPlayer)

I’m completely hooked on everything Steven Knight makes! He’s become the master of a really specific kind of British historical drama – think gritty WWII stories like SAS: Rogue Heroes, or the dark, atmospheric Taboo. But honestly, this latest show? It feels like his absolute best work yet.

Tommy Shelby, a veteran deeply affected by World War I, returns to Birmingham determined to build his family’s power, starting with the local criminal scene and eventually expanding to a national level. The show follows his ascent with striking visuals and a deliberate pace, portraying a compelling story of one man challenging the forces that try to limit everyone’s potential.

9. MobLand (Paramount+)

Okay, so I just started watching this new show with Tom Hardy, and it’s intense! It’s his first proper TV role since Taboo, and it’s created by the same guy who did Top Boy, which already tells you it’s gonna be good. Basically, it’s a huge crime family war. Hardy plays this kind of ‘fixer’ guy, and he works for the Harrigans. They’re battling another family, the Stevensons, and it’s all about who’s going to rule the city. It’s a total brawl!

Initially planned as a prequel to Ray Donovan, the story evolved into its own series, focusing on Da Souza, who works to maintain a delicate balance while keeping his actions secret.

10. Snowpiercer (Netflix)

This series is based on Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 film Parasite, which was originally inspired by a 1982 graphic novel. It’s a dystopian story that follows the last people on Earth as they endlessly travel around the frozen planet on a special train.

This story playfully imagines society as a line, with those in power at the front and everyone else struggling at the back. It’s a thrilling and satirical look at the idea of revolution.

This story follows a rebellion and explores how those in charge maintain their power, how those without it can fight back when traditional systems fail, and the incredible challenge of providing food for everyone on board a moving train. We’ll find out the answers as the rebels advance.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a vibrant 100-page tribute to Harry Styles, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online for only £8.99.

2026-04-03 11:20