Rich narratives about money often play out on the small screen with sharp corporate games, power plays, and the raw hunger for control. And when those stories unfold within families, they echo the fierce rivalries of the Roys from a hit show about power and inheritance.
Here is a curated list of ten series that center on internal power struggles and high-stakes clashes with the world watching. They reveal how wealth can both shield and corrode, and why the rich sometimes cry hardest when their empires start to crack.
heirs
We begin with affluent patriarchs and the drive to dominate at any cost. Carmen Orozco, a commanding figure in a Spanish TVE-1 soap, embodies a leader whose instinct for superiority leaves no room for empathy. Her kingdom—whether from a remote farmhouse in Madrid’s hills or a grand residence in Salamanca—leans on a hard-edged authority that trips up anyone who dares challenge it. The message is clear: to ascend, conscience must be shelved, and power must be held with an iron will. This portrayal underscores how ambition, when fused with money, can shape entire families and communities, leaving a wake of loyalties rearranged to fit the throne.
power nissaga
In Catalan fiction, lineage and wealth still command the stage. The show—often likened to a modern, operatic version of Falcon Crest—unfolds amid the vineyards of Penedès, tracing the Montsolís clan as they maneuver through deals, betrayals, and secrets. The saga is steeped in financial maneuvering, revenge, and a tidal wave of revelations that propel the plot across hundreds of chapters. It illustrates how a single family’s ambitions can ripple through an industry, drawing in lovers, rivals, and kin in a web of complicity and ambition. The resonance across audiences speaks to a universal fascination with the raw mechanics of wealth and power.
Law and order true crime: The Menendez murders
Reality sometimes foreshadows fiction, and this case demonstrates that. The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of murdering their parents in Beverly Hills in the mid-1990s. The trials became a national spectacle, exposing how privilege can blur moral lines and intensify scrutiny. The series re-creates the courtroom drama and media circus surrounding the family, offering a stark lens on how affluence, fame, and late-night secrets can collide with justice. It’s a reminder that wealth does not grant immunity from consequences, and it can amplify the drama around a family’s darkest hours.
valuable stones
Danny McBride leads a family of televangelists whose outward piety hides a lineage of greed, excess, and personal turmoil. The patriarch, played by John Goodman, must contend with three sons who clash as they vie for power and approval. The family’s flaws are on full display, yet the heart of the show lies in the relationships that form and fracture under pressure. Audiences witness how faith, money, and family loyalty intertwine, creating a landscape where affection can coexist with manipulation and ambition.
crematorium
A landmark Spanish series chronicles the vast fortunes of a Valencian clan and the power struggles that come with ruling a family empire. The show’s gritty realism, bold storytelling, and striking cinematography helped reshape domestic television in its era. The matriarchs and patriarchs wage battles over control of a sprawling business, with alliances shifting as new players enter the scene. It remains a touchstone for anyone who wants to understand how wealth reshapes identity and loyalties within a family.
Dallas
One of the best-known serialized dramas, Dallas introduced a world where oil, money, and politics collide. The Ewing family is defined by its charisma, ruthlessness, and relentless scheming. J.R. became emblematic of a certain archetype: charming on the surface, brutal when cornered. The show explores how wealth and power tested relationships, exposed vulnerabilities, and complicated the line between right and wrong. It’s a saga about control, corruption, and the costs of chasing fortune on a grand scale.
Falcon Crest
In its time, Falcon Crest became a cultural phenomenon across Europe, even as its American rivals drew more attention. The series follows a powerful wine-producing family as they maneuver through disputes over land, inheritance, and influence. The cast—led by formidable figures in conflict—delivers a tapestry of ambition, loyalty, and clashes that echo through generations. Its enduring appeal lies in the drama of control, the allure of legacy, and the price paid for keeping a dynasty intact.
Trust
Inspired by a famous true crime story, this series centers on the Getty family and a drama about ransom, power, and the consequences of immense wealth. The patriarch’s world—filled with luxury, danger, and a complex network of relationships—offers a sharp look at how money can magnify risk and moral ambiguity. The narrative invites viewers to consider the true cost of wealth when it becomes a public spectacle, and how families navigate the pressure of living under a global spotlight.
Schitt Creek
Not every tale of money ends in triumph. When a once-wealthy family loses everything, they’re forced to adapt to a downscaled life in a quirky town. The guardians of the estate must wrestle with new economics, social dynamics, and the shifting power balance that comes with diminished means. The series uses humor to mine themes of dignity, resilience, and the stubborn optimism that money cannot buy. Its recognition with top comedy awards underscores that wealth is only one lens through which family drama can unfold.
Arrested Development
A multi-award-winning look at the Bluth clan, whose fortunes vanish under the weight of a father’s fraud and ensuing legal troubles. Michael, the eldest sibling, steps into a leadership role with a mix of reluctance and savvy, trying to hold together a business tangled in self-interest and mishaps. The show’s mock-documentary style and single-camera approach lend a sense of immediacy to a family that mismanages wealth with a blend of wit and chaos. Its enduring humor rests on the tension between affection and accountability within a privileged but imperfect clan.