If you love the high-stakes pressure of Industry, but want to see where the “corporate shark” archetype truly began, you have to go back to Sterling Cooper.
Mad Men isn’t just a show about advertising; it’s a masterclass in the same power dynamics, identity crises, and “indulgent” lifestyles we see in modern finance dramas. It’s the ancestor of every “prestige” workplace show on TV today.
Where to Watch: You can currently binge the entire series and witness the rise of Don Draper here: Watch Mad Men on Amazon.
Pro Tip: The pacing of Mad Men is a slow burn. It’s the perfect show to have on in the background while you’re savoring a drink or winding down after a long day. It’s sophisticated, stylish, and—much like the world of Industry—it proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same.