Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Season 1 – Political Animals

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Political Animals 2012 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
63% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
This drama series, which stars Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver in her first regular role in a TV series, explores the complex world of politics through a former first family that has experienced its highs and lows and is fighting political adversaries while struggling with the family members' own personal demons. Weaver stars as Elaine Barrish, who is appointed Secretary of State by President Paul Garcetti after losing to him in the presidential primary. While dealing with the usual crises of the State Department, Barrish also must try to keep her family together and fend off a hungry journalist who wants to destroy her political career.

Where to Watch

Political Animals — Season 1

Political Animals — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Political Animals often plays more like a high-level soap opera than a political drama, but it still offers some biting, sudsy fun thanks to its formidable cast.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (35) Critics Reviews
John Griffiths Us Weekly The political maneuvering is consistently well-drawn. If only the rest of Animals roared with such excitement. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 14, 2017 Full Review Brian Tallerico HollywoodChicago.com Sadly, the creators of Political Animals delivered a program more like Dallas than The West Wing. Rated: 2/5 Aug 30, 2013 Full Review James Poniewozik TIME Magazine Political Animals believes that a good TV show, like a good politician, can make you look past its flaws and believe in its contradictions if it inhabits them lustily enough. In its better moments the show does that. Jul 15, 2012 Full Review Proma Khosla Mashable There's a harshness to these characters and how they view each other that can be painful to watch, but offers a necessary understanding of this country's treatment of women over time. Mar 26, 2021 Full Review John Powers NPR's Fresh Air Basing a show so clearly on Hillary and Bill [Clinton] betrays a certain failure of imagination. But this, too, is the American way. May 17, 2018 Full Review Andy Greenwald Grantland Political Animals is seriously flawed, yes, but it's also fun, unafraid to get its hands -- and everything else -- seriously dirty. Sep 16, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Audience Member Simply a masterpiece Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazing show. Had lots of potential. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member A weaker, but more grounded House of Cards. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent show, such a shame they decided not to continue with it but alas; hopefully it will open the door to a lot more politically minded shows and movies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Political Animals — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

Sigourney Weaver

Actor

Carla Gugino

Actor

Ellen Burstyn

Actor

Ciarán Hinds

Actor

James Wolk

Actor

Sebastian Stan

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 15, 2012 Pilot Secretary of State Elaine Barries agrees to allow a journalist to follow her for a week; a hostage crisis prompts a momentous decision. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 22, 2012 Second Time Around Bud is sent to diffuse the hostage situation; Susan finds herself close to the action; Douglas learns that Elaine plans to run again; T.J. resorts to old habits. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 29, 2012 The Woman Problem Elaine announces her plan to run; Bud, Douglas and T.J. take a fishing trip; Garcetti hatches a plan; Susan lets Alex in on her story. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 5, 2012 Lost Boys Elaine finds the country in a diplomatic crisis; T.J. struggles to find support from his family; Anne accidentally reveals Elaine's political intentions. Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 12, 2012 16 Hours Elaine is torn; Bud learns the truth about TJ.'s suicide attempt; Susan gains unlimited access to the submarine rescue mission. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 19, 2012 Resignation Day Garcetti hinders Elaine's plan to resign; Douglas decides to come clean about his betrayal. Details

More Like This

View All Popular TV on Streaming
Fairly Legal 57% 64% Fairly Legal Watchlist Necessary Roughness % % Necessary Roughness Watchlist Rush 39% 85% Rush Watchlist Damnation 64% 92% Damnation Watchlist The Net 29% % The Net Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All Political Animals — Season 1 photos

Political Animals — Season 1

Political Animals Political Animals View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Greg Berlanti, Laurence Mark, Sarah Caplan
Network
USA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jul 15, 2012