10 Shows and Movies Similar to Mad Men (2007)

Description: Boardwalk Empire shares with Mad Men a richly detailed depiction of a specific historical period (Prohibition-era Atlantic City for Boardwalk Empire, 1960s New York for Mad Men). Both shows explore themes of power, corruption, and identity, with protagonists who are charismatic but deeply flawed. The visual style of both shows is cinematic, with a focus on period-accurate sets and costumes.

Fact: The show was created by Terence Winter, a writer for The Sopranos. Steve Buscemi stars as Nucky Thompson, a fictionalized version of real-life gangster Enoch L. Johnson. The show won multiple Emmys for its art direction and costumes.

Description: Suits shares with Mad Men a focus on the high-stakes world of professional maneuvering, though in a modern law firm rather than a 1960s ad agency. Both shows feature charismatic, sharp-dressed protagonists (Harvey Specter and Don Draper) who are masters of their craft but have personal demons. The dialogue in both shows is fast-paced and witty, with a mix of drama and humor.

Fact: The show launched Meghan Markle to fame before she became the Duchess of Sussex. Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams star as the lead lawyers. The show was filmed in Toronto, standing in for New York City.

Description: The Hour is a British series that, like Mad Men, is set in the 1960s and explores the interplay between personal and professional lives in a media industry (news broadcasting vs. advertising). Both shows feature stylish period aesthetics and complex characters navigating societal changes. The Hour also shares Mad Men's focus on the tension between public personas and private struggles.

Fact: The show stars Ben Whishaw, Romola Garai, and Dominic West. It was compared to Mad Men for its period setting and themes. The show was canceled after two seasons despite critical acclaim.

Description: Pan Am, like Mad Men, is set in the 1960s and explores the glamour and challenges of a particular industry (airline travel vs. advertising). Both shows focus on the changing roles of women during this era, with female characters navigating professional ambitions and societal expectations. The visual style of both shows emphasizes the elegance and nostalgia of the period.

Fact: The show starred Christina Ricci as a Pan Am stewardess. It was one of several 1960s-set shows inspired by Mad Men's success. The show was canceled after one season due to declining ratings.

Description: The Newsroom, like Mad Men, is set in a high-pressure professional environment (a cable news network vs. an ad agency) and explores themes of idealism, ethics, and personal relationships. Both shows feature rapid-fire, intelligent dialogue and a mix of workplace drama and personal storylines. The Newsroom's protagonist, Will McAvoy, shares Don Draper's charisma and complexity, though McAvoy is more overtly idealistic.

Fact: The show was created by Aaron Sorkin, known for The West Wing. Jeff Daniels won an Emmy for his role as Will McAvoy. The show was criticized for its portrayal of female characters but praised for its dialogue.

Description: Masters of Sex shares with Mad Men a focus on the social and professional dynamics of the mid-20th century, particularly around changing attitudes toward sexuality and gender. Both shows feature flawed, ambitious protagonists (Don Draper and William Masters) who are experts in their fields but struggle with personal relationships. The shows also share a similar visual style, with a muted color palette and attention to period detail.

Fact: The show is based on the real-life research of William Masters and Virginia Johnson. Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan star as the lead researchers. The show was praised for its frank depiction of sexuality and its historical accuracy.

Description: The Americans, like Mad Men, is a period drama that explores identity and deception, set against the backdrop of the Cold War in the 1980s. Both shows feature protagonists leading double lives (Don Draper with his stolen identity, the Jennings as Soviet spies). The shows share a slow-burn storytelling style, with a focus on character development and moral ambiguity. The attention to period detail is similarly meticulous in both series.

Fact: The show was created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys star as the Soviet spy couple. The show was praised for its tense storytelling and complex characters.

Description: Halt and Catch Fire, like Mad Men, is a period drama that explores ambition, innovation, and personal demons in a professional setting. While Mad Men focuses on advertising in the 1960s, Halt and Catch Fire centers on the tech boom of the 1980s and 1990s. Both shows feature complex characters who are driven by their work but struggle with personal fulfillment. The storytelling is similarly character-driven, with a focus on interpersonal dynamics and professional rivalries.

Fact: The show's title refers to a computer command that causes the CPU to stop functioning. It was initially overlooked but gained a cult following after its cancellation. The show's final season jumps ahead to the early days of the World Wide Web.

Description: Good Girls Revolt shares with Mad Men a focus on gender dynamics in the workplace during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the struggles of women to gain equality in male-dominated industries (journalism for Good Girls Revolt, advertising for Mad Men). Both shows blend drama with social commentary, and feature strong female characters challenging the status quo. The period detail and costumes are similarly meticulous in both series.

Fact: The show is based on the real-life lawsuit by female researchers at Newsweek. It was canceled by Amazon after one season despite positive reviews. The show was praised for its feminist themes and historical accuracy.

Description: Like Mad Men, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is set in the mid-20th century and explores themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and personal reinvention. Both shows feature strong, complex female protagonists navigating male-dominated industries (advertising for Mad Men, stand-up comedy for Mrs. Maisel). The shows share a similar visual aesthetic, with meticulous attention to period detail and costume design. Both also blend drama with sharp, witty dialogue.

Fact: The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, known for Gilmore Girls. Rachel Brosnahan won an Emmy for her role as Midge Maisel. The show's pilot was shot on 35mm film to achieve a vintage look.