What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Apprentice
Ali Abbasi · Film · 2024
If you loved The Apprentice, start with The Young Pope (Paolo Sorrentino, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Apprentice across media.
If The Apprentice hooked you, explore these stories that examine the toxic symbiosis between unchecked ambition and the pursuit of absolute power.
Books on the same thread
American Prometheus
Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin · Book
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Genius and hubris.
Like The Apprentice, this biography dissects the moral ambiguity of a man whose singular drive and intellect forever altered the course of history and his own legacy.
Trump: The Art of the Deal
Donald J. Trump with Tony Schwartz · Book
Shares a thread with The Apprentice: ambition.
Experience the source material firsthand as this memoir reveals the specific negotiation tactics and relentless ambition that formed the foundation of the persona depicted in The Apprentice.
The Power Broker
Robert A. Caro · Book · 1975
Shares a thread with The Apprentice: Power Dynamics.
This portrait of Robert Moses mirrors the study of Roy Cohn in The Apprentice, detailing how a single individual can manipulate urban power structures to reshape reality.
The Architect's Apprentice
Elif Shafak · Book · 2015
Explores: Apprenticeship, Ottoman Empire, Architects.
While set in a different era, this narrative captures the complex dynamic of an impressionable protégé learning the craft of power from a legendary, demanding master architect.
Series on the same thread
Succession
Jesse Armstrong · Series · 2018
Explores: Wealth and Power, Dysfunctional Family, Corporate Intrigue.
Fans of The Apprentice will recognize the same cutthroat corporate intrigue and high-stakes family power dynamics that define this satirical look at a wealthy media empire dynasty.
The Young Pope
Paolo Sorrentino · Series · 2016
Shares 2 threads with The Apprentice: power dynamics, Political Drama.
Much like the protagonist of The Apprentice, this young leader navigates a secretive, rigid institution by leveraging personal charisma and ruthless tactics to consolidate his absolute authority.
The Practice
David E. Kelley · Series · 1997
Shares a thread with The Apprentice: Legal Drama.
This series captures the same moral tightrope walk seen in The Apprentice, focusing on legal professionals who must compromise their ethics to achieve victory in the courtroom.
Billions
Andrew Ross Sorkin · Series · 2016
Shares 2 threads with The Apprentice: Power Dynamics, Legal Drama.
This high-stakes financial thriller echoes the cutthroat mentorship and power politics of The Apprentice, showcasing two titans clashing through their relentless pursuit of wealth and total dominance.
Podcasts on the same thread
Inside Trump's Head
Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with The Apprentice: power dynamics.
Deepen your understanding of the psychological forces explored in The Apprentice by listening to this investigative series, which dissects the character and leadership style of Donald Trump.
The Run-Up
Podcast
Explores: 2024 election, political decision-making, US politics.
Continue your examination of the political landscape featured in The Apprentice by following this guide to the decision-making processes and strategies defining the current American political climate.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Apprentice based on a true story?
The Apprentice is a 2024 film directed by Ali Abbasi that depicts the early career of Donald Trump in 1970s New York. It explores his relationship with attorney Roy Cohn, who mentored him in the tactics required to achieve success and influence in the business world.
What is the primary focus of The Apprentice?
The Apprentice focuses on the formative years of Donald Trump as he attempts to build his reputation in New York City. The film centers on his partnership with Roy Cohn, a cutthroat attorney who shapes Trump's approach to ambition and his ruthless drive to win at any cost.
Who is the central mentor figure in The Apprentice?
Roy Cohn is the central mentor figure in The Apprentice. A cutthroat attorney, Cohn identifies a young Donald Trump as a perfect protégé and teaches him the strategies and aggressive mindset that would eventually define the public persona of the future business mogul.
When is The Apprentice set?
The Apprentice is set in 1970s New York. This period serves as the backdrop for the young Donald Trump's initial efforts to establish his name and his development under the influence of Roy Cohn, who guides his transition into a powerful and ambitious public figure.