10 Best TV U.S. Presidents, Ranked

There are very few real-life figures that have been depicted on-screen as the various Presidents of the United States, but plenty of movies and TV shows have also created their own characters to adopt these titles. From long-running political dramas to more short-form comedies in the genre, the White House has always been a popular location for TV shows to take over. Some of the best political thrillers of all time have centered themselves around the US government, using the POTUS as a lens through which to explore wider society.

Netflix’s recent series Zero Day is another addition to this genre, following Robert De Niro’s former President George Mullen, as he investigates a devastating cyberattack that has drastic consequences for US national security. While Zero Day has opened to mixed reviews, it effectively proves one important thing: audiences will never grow tired of shows that bring them behind the curtain of the White House.

10 Matt Santos - Played By Jimmy Smits

The West Wing (1999-2006)

The West Wing is arguably the defining political drama of this century, so it’s no surprise that some of the show’s fictional presidents are still remembered fondly today. While Matt Santos isn’t the best president from the show, he was still a brilliant addition to the cast whose dynamic with the existing ensemble really brought those later seasons to life. He was undeniably fit for the role, exemplifying all the stoic leadership that citizens would expect from the President of the United States. Jimmy Smits gave an excellent performance that managed to keep The West Wing alive despite many seasons.

Jed Bartlett from The West Wing at the Oval Office

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9 Conrad Dalton - Played By Keith Carradine

Madam Secretary (2014-2019)

Madam Secretary doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves for its rich, layered exploration of American politics, but one aspect of the show that’s widely praised is Keith Carradine’s portrayal of President Conrad Dalton. While the series mostly focused on protagonist Elizabeth McCord and her work as Secretary of State, Carradine’s supporting role was still a huge highlight. Although Madam Secretary wasn’t renewed for a seventh season, it’s still remembered as one of the strongest and most realistic depictions of White House politics in recent memory.

8 Mackenzie Allen - Played By Geena Davis

Commander In Chief (2005-2006)

The cast of Commander in Chief in the Oval Office

There’s lots to be admired about Commander in Chief, from its progressive take on gender stereotypes in American politics to its sharp, precise writing that constantly kept audiences on the edge of their seats. The show followed the fictional administration and dysfunctional family life of Mackenzie Allen, the first female President of the United States. The show did a brilliant job of interweaving personal drama with more global, international politics that managed to whet the appetites of many different audiences. Davis’ fictional president was an extremely strong one who faced countless challenges in the show, but always survived.

7 Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III - Played By Tony Goldwyn

Scandal (2012-2018)

Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington as Fitzgerald Grant and Olivia Pope in Scandal

Scandal was another hugely successful drama that explored daily life in the White House through countless interesting characters and complex relationships, really bringing to life the stress involved with this line of work. While the show focused on the president’s former media consultant Olivia Pope, Grant still played a huge role in the story throughout its many seasons. While many audiences are calling for Olivia Pope to return in another show, Scandal wouldn’t have worked half as well without Goldwyn’s supporting role - and a new project would struggle to recapture that energy.

6 Charles Logan - Played By Gregory Itzin

24 (2001-2010)

While Charles Logan certainly isn’t a “good” president in an objective sense, he brought so much tension and intrigue to 24 that really elevated the show after a couple of seasons that struggled to find their purpose. He was the successor to Geoff Pierson’s President Keeler, who was sworn in after the former suffered a critical injury at the hands of a terrorist group. This subplot is easily one of 24’s most interesting overarching narratives, and Logan’s character development throughout the later seasons is captivating to watch.

5 Selina Meyer - Played By Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Veep (2012-2019)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Selina stands in a doorway in Veep

While several of TV’s most iconic presidents are either sworn in suddenly in the show’s later seasons or serve in the White House for the entire show, the great thing about Veep is that audiences get to watch Selina Meyer climb the political ladder in real-time. She doesn’t become President of the United States until the third season, by which point viewers have already come to love her as the Vice President. This makes the show so much more compelling, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ critically acclaimed performance makes this even more engaging.

4 Tom Kirkman - Played By Kiefer Sutherland

Designated Survivor (2016-2019)

It’s hard to discuss the greatest fictional presidents without at least mentioning Designated Survivor; the show introduced a whole new audience to political thrillers, cashing in on Kiefer Sutherland’s iconic status as Jack Bauer and bringing him to the other side of the Oval Office. The show follows his protagonist Tom Kirkman as he’s suddenly promoted to POTUS after a devastating attack on the White House that leaves every other candidate dead. Designated Survivor does an excellent job of navigating the difficult decisions that American politicians make on a daily basis, focusing on the effect this has on Kirkman’s family.

3 Claire Underwood - Played By Robin Wright

House Of Cards (2013-2018)

Robin Wright as Claire Underwood looking steely in House of Cards.

House of Cards was the biggest show on Netflix for a long time, and remains one of the most influential political thrillers in the history of the genre. The show followed Kevin Spacey’s protagonist Frank Underwood following his appointment as Secretary of State, where he works alongside his wife Claire to climb the political ladder and get revenge on those who tried to sabotage his career.

Robin Wright’s portrayal of Claire Underwood was a shining beacon that kept the show alive in its darkest moments.

While both Frank and Claire tried their hands at the presidency throughout House of Cards, the latter was undeniably the stronger candidate for the role. While Frank’s politics were often shrouded by ulterior motives and personal vendettas, Claire was a much more utilitarian leader who ultimately proved herself to be the winner of the entire show in its final season. Although fans criticized the show’s final seasons so heavily that House of Cards’ showrunners ultimately had to apologize, Robin Wright’s portrayal of Claire Underwood was a shining beacon that kept the show alive in its darkest moments.

2 David Palmer - Played By Dennis Haysbert

24 (2001-2010)

Dennis Haysbert as David Palmer is looking straight ahead.

The complete opposite of 24’s other president Charles Logan, the show’s first POTUS David Palmer was an excellent addition to the cast whose fiery dynamic with protagonist Jack Bauer created much of the intrigue and tension of the first few seasons. Not only was Palmer an integral part of the story, but Dennis Haysbert’s charismatic performance made him somebody that audiences cared about even when he wasn’t on-screen. He’s initially sworn into office after Jack Bauer prevents his assassination, leading to a sharp camaraderie between the two characters that lasts until the latter’s death in season 5.

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The most enticing thing about David Palmer throughout 24 is that he represents the objective good of American politics. Where many dramas would shy away from a character that represents democratic values so cleanly and openly, 24 realizes that you don’t need a morally ambiguous president to make tensions in the White House boil over. Even the most well-intentioned people can fall victim to political trouble, and that’s exactly what happens to Palmer.

1 Jed Bartlet- Played By Martin Sheen

The West Wing (1999-2006)

President Jed Bartlet in the Oval Office in The West Wing

The West Wing is a political drama at its core, but it’s surprising how long it took the writers to realize that Martin Sheen’s president was undeniably the most engaging part of the show’s early seasons. His portrayal of Jed Bartlet was everything audiences wanted from this kind of sharp thriller, with his witty stoicism and fierce integrity that once again displayed the purest part of American politics.

Many of The West Wing’s best episodes are those that focus on Bartlet’s struggles to keep his policies on the White House floor, fighting against the Republican majority in his congress. It’s a very simple character arc that doesn’t require too many complicated ideas or tangential subplots, but it works because of Aaron Sorkin’s excellent writing and the charisma exuded by Sheen’s fictional president.