While compliance may not be the first thing on your mind when switching off for the holidays, it's at the hub of several compelling and award-winning TV programmes.
No doubt about it, compliance topics provide some entertaining viewing. Whether it's money laundering or whistleblowing, these form the foundation of an interesting plot line. And there's no better time to binge-watch box sets than while sitting by the pool, waiting at the airport or travelling on a long journey.
In no particular order, here are our top 10 small screen smashes where compliance plays a part. If we've missed your favourite (and we did have to cut out some gems), let us know.
We've also compiled a list of our favourite compliance movies, which all feature a valuable lesson in compliance.
For those preferring the written form, we've also put together a list of the best governance, risk and compliance books and compliance true stories.
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn
This critically acclaimed American series follows the transformation of Walter White, a mild-mannered, law-abiding high school chemistry teacher, into a ruthless methamphetamine manufacturer and morally compromised criminal.
Money laundering plays a significant role as Walter and his business partner, Jesse Pinkman, grapple with how to 'clean' the large amounts of money earned from their illicit activities. As they become more deeply involved and their profits grow, Walter devises a scheme to launder the drug money through a car wash that he and his wife, Skyler, buy as a legitimate front.
Starring: Salvatore Esposito, Marco D’Amore, Ivana Lotito
Based on Roberto Saviano's book, this gripping Italian 'programme TV' digs into the dark and violent world of organised crime in Naples and the underbelly of one of Italy's most powerful crime syndicates – the Camorra.
The show depicts the pervasive corruption and bribery that infiltrates all levels of society in Naples – from government officials to law enforcement agencies and businesses – and their role in gaining and maintaining control, expanding criminal enterprises, and protecting illegal activities.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz
This crime drama revolves around financial planner Marty Byrde, who is forced to relocate his family to America's Ozark mountains after a money-laundering scheme goes wrong. Marty must navigate a dangerous criminal underworld while laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel.
As he becomes more deeply involved, the stakes rise, and Marty must employ increasingly sophisticated methods to protect his operation and avoid detection.
Starring: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin
This highly praised US TV programme centres on Elliot Alderson, a brilliant but mentally unstable computer programmer who becomes a cyber-vigilante. Elliot aims to erase all debt by taking down powerful, corrupt corporations and challenging the flawed systems that govern our world.
Mr Robot emphasises the significance of data protection and cybersecurity, exposing the vulnerabilities of interconnected systems and raising awareness about the need to safeguard personal information.
Through its portrayal of hacking and cyber attacks, Mr Robot sheds light on the potential risks and consequences of a world inadequately prepared to protect our digital infrastructure.
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Ann Dowd
The Handmaid's Tale is a thought-provoking series based on Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel. Set in a totalitarian society called Gilead, the series follows the story of Offred, a Handmaid in Gilead, who is assigned to a high-ranking family to bear children for them due to a widespread fertility crisis.
The Handmaids are victims of a form of modern slavery, where their bodies and reproductive capacities are commodified and controlled by the state and ruling elite. Their agency, freedom, and personal autonomy are stripped away, leaving them trapped in a system that dehumanises and exploits them.
Starring: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn
Widely regarded as one of the greatest TV series of all time, The Wire offers a realistic and gritty portrayal of Baltimore's intricate web of institutions, crime, and social structures.
With money laundering, bribery, and corruption prominent throughout, The Wire highlights how criminal organisations generate, conceal, and use illegal funds and their impact on legitimate businesses. It also explores the blurred lines between law enforcement, politicians, and criminals – and the ultimate consequences for people, communities and society.
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook
Offering a twist on the crime dramas we recommend above, Narcos is based on the true rise and fall of infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Medellín and Carli cartels in Colombia.
Narcos portrays a society where corruption penetrates all levels of power, making it challenging for authorities to combat the drug trade. The show exposes the intricate web of relationships and alliances formed through bribery and corruption, enabling Escobar and the cartels to operate largely unchecked.
It also highlights the destructive impact on society as communities suffer from violence, social decay, and the erosion of trust in public institutions.
Starring: Julianna Marguiles, Chris Noth, Josh Charles
As a legal drama combining politics and personal relationships in the digital age, The Good Wife is a captivating TV programme that follows Alicia Florrick's return to her legal career after her politician husband's public scandal.
Including cases involving data breaches, hacking, and cybercrime, the show highlights the vulnerability of personal information, the ethical dilemmas surrounding privacy invasion and data manipulation, and its ultimate consequences.
With its interplay between technology, data protection, and cybersecurity, The Good Wife highlights the ever-present challenges individuals and institutions face in a digitally connected world.
Starring: Yoalah Brinson, James Norton, Merab Ninidze
This gripping one-off British crime drama explores the intricate world of organised crime and global money laundering. Inspired by the book of the same name, it tells the story of Alex Godman, who's determined to escape his family's criminal past and build a legitimate business empire in London.
McMafia highlights how even legitimate businesses, banks, and professionals can unknowingly – or knowingly – get involved in money laundering activities.
It also showcases how compliance regulations and anti-money laundering measures are essential tools in the fight to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows while navigating the complexities of international jurisdictions.
Starring: Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel
The Whistleblowers is a compelling 2007 UK TV programme that delves into the inner workings of a team at the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) as they tackle complex cases and expose corporate corruption and financial misconduct.
While unveiling instances where companies flout compliance rules, engage in fraudulent activities, and manipulate financial information for personal gain, it also explores the risks, retaliation and dilemmas faced by people who dare to speak out.
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