What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDrayton and Mackenzie
Alexander Starritt · Book · 2025
If you loved Drayton and Mackenzie, start with My Oxford Year (Iain Morris, 2025) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Drayton and Mackenzie across media.
If you loved Drayton and Mackenzie, you were drawn to the messy, complicated intersection of high-stakes ambition and the fragile human connections that define our modern lives.
Films on the same thread
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Olivia Newman · Film · 2026
Explores: Grief and healing, Intergenerational friendship, Hidden secrets.
Like the intricate emotional landscape of Drayton and Mackenzie, this story explores how unexpected, intergenerational friendships provide a necessary anchor when life feels overwhelming and full of hidden secrets.
My Oxford Year
Iain Morris · Film · 2025
Explores: Culture clash, Hidden illness, Life plan disruption.
This narrative mirrors the sharp, ambitious spirit of Drayton and Mackenzie by examining the friction between professional dreams and the personal vulnerabilities that threaten to disrupt a perfectly curated life.
Gary
Christopher Storer · Film · 2026
Shares a thread with Drayton and Mackenzie: male friendship.
Fans of the central bond in Drayton and Mackenzie will recognize the same authentic, humorous male friendship that emerges when two people are forced to navigate unfamiliar territory together.
The Life of Chuck
Mike Flanagan · Film · 2025
Explores: Interconnectedness, The Meaning of Life, Mortality.
Much like the existential depth found in Drayton and Mackenzie, this film captures the multitudes contained within an ordinary life, balancing heartbreak with a profound sense of human interconnectedness.
Series on the same thread
Heated Rivalry
Jacob Tierney · Series · 2025
Explores: Rivalry, Forbidden Love, Career Ambition.
This story echoes the intense career-driven rivalry and emotional complexity found in Drayton and Mackenzie, showing how deep personal bonds often form within the crucible of high-pressure professional ambition.
Detectorists
Mackenzie Crook · Series · 2014
Explores: Friendship, Obsession, Underdog.
If you appreciated the character-driven humor of Drayton and Mackenzie, you will find a similar comfort in this portrait of an enduring, eccentric friendship navigating the tedium of daily life.
Your Friends & Neighbors
Jonathan Tropper · Series · 2025
Explores: wealth inequality, midlife crisis, moral decay.
This satire captures the same cynical look at class dynamics and moral decay that defines Drayton and Mackenzie, focusing on how a sudden loss of status triggers a desperate spiral.
When Life Gives You Tangerines
Lim Sang-choon · Series · 2025
Explores: First Love, Childhood Sweethearts, Island Life.
While different in tone, this story shares the commitment to tracking a long-term connection through the setbacks of adulthood, mirroring the emotional weight found throughout Drayton and Mackenzie.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
This podcast explores the same shifting social and economic structures that serve as the backdrop for Drayton and Mackenzie, offering an analytical lens on the modern world's rapid transformation.
The New Statesman: politics and culture
Podcast
Explores: westminster politics, progressive perspective, uk news.
To better understand the cultural and political climate that informs the characters in Drayton and Mackenzie, look no further than this sharp, daily commentary on modern societal shifts.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Drayton and Mackenzie considered a notable book of 2025?
Yes, Drayton and Mackenzie was recognized as a best book of the year by The Times, The Sunday Times, GQ, the Financial Times, and Bloomberg. It is noted for its exploration of themes including love, friendship, money, and ambition within the 21st century.
What are the primary themes explored in Drayton and Mackenzie?
Drayton and Mackenzie focuses on the complexities of love, friendship, money, and ambition. The narrative is described as a big, bustling novel that examines these subjects through a humorous lens while providing intelligent observations about life in the 21st century.
Does Drayton and Mackenzie focus on the relationship between the two main characters?
Drayton and Mackenzie serves as an ode to the enduring power of male friendship. The novel is characterized by its focus on the bond between the protagonists, offering a narrative that has been described as both humorous and emotionally impactful for readers.
Who is the author of Drayton and Mackenzie?
Drayton and Mackenzie was written by Alexander Starritt and published in 2025. It has received critical acclaim from multiple major publications for its writing style and its insightful take on modern life and human relationships.