CBS political drama Madam Secretary, which originally aired from 2014 for six seasons, has found a new wave of popularity on Apple TV seven years after it first premiered. The series, created by Barbara Hall, follows Téa Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst thrust into the role of US Secretary of State after her predecessor dies in a mysterious plane crash, blending international intrigue with family drama and workplace politics.

The show pairs high-stakes global storylines with Elizabeth's personal life, including her marriage to Henry (Tim Daly, whom Leoni later married in real life in 2025) and her tense working relationship with chief of staff Nadine Tolliver, played by Bebe Neuwirth. Its authenticity is bolstered by cameo appearances from real former secretaries of state, including Hillary Clinton, Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright, who appeared in Season 5 and also played herself in Season 2. With 120 episodes across six seasons, the series is being newly discovered by streaming audiences drawn to its blend of political thriller pacing and character-driven drama.