Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) is obsessed with politics. And in Ryan Murphy’s “The Politician,” which debuts season two today, he’s jockeying for a New York State Senate seat.
The Netflix black comedy, first set during Payton’s elite high school years, is now playing in the big leagues.
The hopeful’s original campaign team is still here, but now he’s matching wits with the incumbent (Judith Light) and her sassy chief of staff (Bette Midler). And since it’s Murphy (“Hollywood,” “Feud”), expect scandal and betrayals at various turns.
Of course, Payton’s overarching obsession was established in the first season — he wants to be President of the United States. And he’s not picky about how he gets there.
The supporting case is solid, including Gwyneth Paltrow as his flaky mother, Zoey Deutch, Lucy Boynton, Bob Balaban, David Corenswet, Julia Schlaepfer, Laura Dreyfuss, Theo Germaine, Rahne Jones, Jessica Lange, and Benjamin Barrett.
Murphy is writer, showrunner and executive producer for the show.
“There are certain dynamics you’re going to see that are familiar and recognizable that we know happen to female politicians,” Light teased in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “But [the creators] didn’t grab from the headlines. They allowed things to evolve. There are moments of great consternation and compassion.”