What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Favourite
Yorgos Lanthimos · Film · 2018
If you loved The Favourite, start with The Great (Tony McNamara, 2020) — a series on the same thread. Below: 2 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Favourite across media.
If The Favourite hooked you, you crave the sharp, ruthless power struggles where intimate betrayals define the course of history.
Books on the same thread
The Queen's Fool
Philippa Gregory · Book · 2004
Shares a thread with The Favourite: Political Intrigue.
Just as in The Favourite, this narrative places a young woman at the center of dangerous royal court rivalries where proximity to the throne dictates survival and status.
The Secret History
Donna Tartt · Book · 1993
Explores: Secrets, Guilt, Moral Ambiguity.
The dark, insular obsession and moral ambiguity found among the characters here mirror the toxic social climbing and manipulation that drove the plot of The Favourite.
Series on the same thread
The Great
Tony McNamara · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with The Favourite: Political Intrigue.
This series captures the same satirical, anti-historical spirit as The Favourite, focusing on the volatile power dynamics and gender politics within an unforgiving 18th-century royal court.
Killing Eve
Phoebe Waller-Bridge · Series · 2018
Explores: Female obsession, Cat and mouse game, Gender roles subversion.
The intense, obsessive cat-and-mouse dynamic between the leads echoes the vicious competition for affection and control that defined the central relationship in The Favourite.
The Crown
Peter Morgan · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with The Favourite: Political Intrigue.
Those fascinated by the claustrophobic political intrigue inside Buckingham Palace in The Favourite will appreciate this deep dive into the internal power struggles of the British monarchy.
The Queen's Gambit
Scott Frank · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with The Favourite: Period Drama.
Like the protagonist of The Favourite, this brilliant lead must navigate a restrictive social landscape, using her singular talent to climb the ranks through sheer force of will.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
The blend of dark humor and intense female connection mirrors the underlying chemistry of The Favourite, offering a conversational take on the morbid fascination with human behavior.
Here Comes The Guillotine
Podcast
Explores: social commentary, political satire, current events.
If you appreciated the biting, subversive wit and dark commentary of The Favourite, these comedians provide a similar brand of sharp dissent regarding the chaos of modern politics.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the central conflict in The Favourite?
The central conflict in The Favourite revolves around the bitter rivalry between Sarah Churchill and her cousin, Abigail Hill. Both women compete to become the primary favourite of Queen Anne, threatening the established close relationship between the Queen and Sarah Churchill in early 18th century England.
When does The Favourite take place?
The Favourite is set in England during the early 18th century. The narrative focuses on the power dynamics within the royal court as Queen Anne navigates the competing interests of Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill during this historical period.
Who are the main characters competing for influence in The Favourite?
The main characters competing for influence in The Favourite are Sarah Churchill and her cousin, Abigail Hill. Their struggle for the Queen's favour drives the plot as they navigate their relationship with Queen Anne in early 18th century England.
Is The Favourite based on a historical power struggle?
The Favourite portrays a fictionalized rivalry between Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill as they compete for the attention of Queen Anne. The film explores how the arrival of Abigail Hill threatens the existing bond between the Queen and Sarah Churchill in early 18th century England.