Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit came in with all of the right moves, featuring absorbing psychological drama with a stellar wardrobe and even more stellar cast. And, of course, its riveting – perhaps even downright sexy – portrayal of chess made us all want to get our very own chess sets. The miniseries is indeed captivating, but it goes by pretty quickly. So, what do you put on after those seven fleeting episodes? Admittedly, there aren’t too many shows out there solely focused on chess, but there are plenty that share themes and settings with The Queen’s Gambit, whether you’re itching for a psychological or period piece with strong central performances by women. From Mad Men to Euphoria, here are the best shows to add to your queue after you’ve binged Beth Harmon’s saga.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Crown
This lavish Netflix drama is all about the royals, but its luxe wardrobe isn’t the only thing that it has in common with The Queen’s Gambit. The first couple of seasons span across the same time frame in the ’50s and ’60s. More importantly, The Crown also depicts the interior lives of women in power, just as the chess miniseries captures Beth’s inner world.
Watch The Crown on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Ursula Coyote/Netflix
Godless
The Queen’s Gambit cocreator Scott Frank previously worked on Godless with none other than Thomas Brodie-Sangster, aka chess cowboy Benny Watts. The series, a true-blue Western drama, follows a criminal outlaw as he seeks out a student-turned-traitor who now lives in a quiet town with only women.
Watch Godless on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Everett Collection / FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection
Mrs. America
Set in the ’70s, Mrs. America takes place a little later than The Queen’s Gambit, but it nonetheless shares a similar vintage aesthetic and wardrobe with the chess series. It follows the tense campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment as feminists fought to assert their presence, something Beth can probably relate to.
Watch Mrs. America on Hulu.
Everett Collection / BBC AMERICA
Killing Eve
On Killing Eve, Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) is an MI5 agent who plays a game of cat and mouse with the ruthless assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). Eve and Villanelle are probably as obsessed with their work (and each other) as Beth is with chess. Plus, there’s plenty of gritty ambience and beautiful outfits (hello, Villanelle’s pink dress!) to enjoy, too.
Watch Killing Eve on Hulu.
Everett Collection / AMC/courtesy Everett Collection
Mad Men
Looking for those understated, moody period-drama vibes? Mad Men is the classic just for you. It follows a team of morally ambiguous executives at an ad agency in the ’60s. Like Beth, Peggy Olson and Joan Holloway can probably attest to what it’s like to be women in a world dominated by men.
Watch Mad Men on Amazon.
Everett Collection / Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Just as there weren’t many women in chess in the ’50s, there weren’t many women in standup comedy, either. A splash more colorful than The Queen’s Gambit, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel depicts a familiar struggle through Rachel Brosnahan’s character, Midge Maisel, a ’50s housewife and mother who persistently pursues her knack for comedy.
Watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon.
