Checkmate
| Checkmate | |
 The Florian Capitol building where most of the show takes place" | |
| Genre | Political drama · Political thriller |
|---|---|
| Created by | FBC |
| Presented by | FBC |
| Country of origin |
 Floria |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | FBC |
| Original release | 1.X.1739 AN until present |
Checkmate is a Florian political thriller television series created by FBC. It is based on the same title as the novel. The first 13-episode season was released on 1.X.1739 AN. Checkmate is the first political show produced by the broadcasting network and was released to critical acclaim.
The show is set in Northcliff and follows the story of Fred Overton, an ambitious SDP politician from Victoria. Left-leaning, the SDP have power in Floria in an alternate universe. The show has themes of manipulation, betrayal, and power.
1st season
Fred Overton is a ruthless, strategic Congressman from the Social Democratic Party, well-known for his political maneuvering and deal-making within the House of Representatives. Ambitious and determined, Fred has long dreamed of ascending to a leadership role that would provide him with the platform to make a run for the presidency one day. At the start of the season, Fred is in the running to become Speaker of the House after his party regains control of Congress. He sees the position as an essential stepping stone for his ultimate goal. However, despite his years of experience and a network of loyal allies, Fred is denied the position by his party. His rival, the more moderate and charismatic Representative Jessica Monroe, wins the vote after a fierce power struggle. This failure to secure the Speaker's role marks a critical turning point for Fred. Humiliated but undeterred, Fred’s ambition only grows, and he begins to plot his next moves, leveraging his connections and creating backdoor alliances to eventually move into the Oval Office. Fred now understands that, in politics, it’s not just about winning—it’s about playing the long game. As the season unfolds, Fred begins to secretly position himself as a potential 1750 Presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Senator Thomas Burke, a progressive upstart, challenges Fred’s more centrist positions within the party, igniting tensions and forcing Fred to confront the growing influence of a new generation of leaders. Fred sees Thomas as a potential threat to his plans, but also an opportunity to exploit the divide in the party. Despite his strategic brilliance, Fred faces personal and professional obstacles. A scandal from his past—an illegal campaign finance deal—comes to light, and Fred must quickly contain the fallout by manipulating the media and using his allies to discredit the sources. As Fred focuses on salvaging his reputation, his growing rivalry with Jessica Monroe intensifies, culminating in a series of political games that lead to a tense showdown.
The season ends with Fred forced to reconsider his position after his attempt to undermine Jessica Monroe backfires. He is publicly humiliated and pushed into a corner. In an act of desperation, Fred leaks information about his party’s internal struggles to the media, positioning himself as the only one who can unite the Social Democrats. Despite being denied the Speaker’s position, Fred wins the public’s favor, setting the stage for his next move: a presidential run.
