The Politician

Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) is explicitly described by the actor as sexually fluid or pansexual. He shares an emotional kiss with his rival, River Barkley, and is involved in a suggested threesome with River and Astrid, though the sexual act itself is not fully depicted as consummated by all three. Skye Leighton (Rahne Jones), an openly queer character, becomes Payton's running mate and later engages in a sexual relationship with McAfee Westbrook, Payton's campaign manager. James Sullivan, one of Payton's advisors, is played by trans actor Theo Germaine, with the role intentionally cast as a trans man, though his gender identity is not explicitly discussed within the show's dialogue. Payton's adoptive mother, Georgina Hobart (Gwyneth Paltrow), reveals she is in love with a woman and seeks a divorce, adding further LGBTQ+ representation within the main family unit.

In the pilot episode, River Barkley, Payton's political opponent and occasional lover, commits suicide by shooting himself in the head in front of Payton, a pivotal and disturbing scene. Payton's adoptive father, Keaton Hobart, attempts suicide by shooting himself after his wife, Georgina, announces her love for another woman and desire for divorce. He survives but is left in a medically induced coma. Payton's adopted twin brothers, Martin and Luther, conspire to commit patricide against their comatose father, Keaton, to secure their inheritance, which Payton ultimately foils.

A suggested threesome involves Payton, River, and Astrid. The scene shows them getting undressed and kissing, with the clear intention of sexual activity, although Astrid ultimately retreats before full consummation among all three. McAfee Westbrook and Skye Leighton engage in a sexual encounter at Skye's home, directly depicted as a sexual act. Astrid is revealed to have had sex with Ricardo, which is publicly disclosed during a heated political debate, impacting her campaign and reputation. Payton and River share a kiss during a flashback sequence, establishing a past romantic/sexual connection between the two male characters.

As a Netflix series rated TV-14 by the platform, 'The Politician' features a high frequency of strong language including the 'f-word' and other common expletives, woven into character dialogue and intense situations. The show's sharp, satirical dialogue, often lauded by critics, frequently employs profanity to emphasize the cynical and ruthless personalities of its ambitious characters across both high school and state senate campaigns.

The graphic depiction of River Barkley's suicide by gunshot, occurring in front of Payton, is a profoundly intense and potentially traumatic event that serves as a major catalyst for the first season's plot. Keaton Hobart's attempted suicide by gunshot, followed by his medically induced coma, introduces a disturbing and suspenseful element to the family drama. The underlying threat of patricide by Payton's brothers, even if ultimately foiled, adds a dark and intensely disturbing dimension to the family conflicts, showcasing violent intent.

Payton Hobart's entire political strategy is built on calculated manipulation, including exploiting a seemingly cancer-stricken running mate (Infinity Jackson) for sympathy votes, only to later expose her deception publicly. Alice and Payton stage a fake breakup, with Alice falsely confessing infidelity to generate public sympathy for Payton's campaign, demonstrating a cynical disregard for honesty and genuine relationships. Payton successfully schemes to remove his adopted brothers, Martin and Luther, from their family's will, showcasing extreme self-interest and a willingness to sever familial ties for personal gain.