Top 15 'Underdog-to-Icon' TV Show Biopics to read for Fueling Your Own Ambitious Comeback
We’ve all been there. Staring at a blank page, a daunting project, or a career crossroad, feeling like the world is miles ahead. It's that classic underdog feeling—the sense that the odds are stacked against you, and the summit you want to climb is shrouded in fog. In these moments, motivation can feel like a distant memory.
But what if I told you that inspiration is just a click away? Not in the form of fleeting motivational quotes, but through immersive, brilliantly told stories of real (and fictional) people who started in that very same spot. TV show biopics and inspired-by-true-events series have become a masterclass in resilience. They distill years of struggle, failure, and breakthrough into a binge-worthy narrative that can reignite your own fire.
These aren't just tales of overnight success; they are gritty, complex roadmaps of what it truly takes to stage a comeback. They show the messy middle, the painful sacrifices, and the unwavering self-belief required to turn an ambitious dream into an iconic reality. So, grab your remote and a notepad. We’re diving into 15 of the most powerful 'underdog-to-icon' series that will fuel your next big move.
1. Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
The Underdog: Sarah Breedlove, a daughter of formerly enslaved parents, who was orphaned at seven and widowed by twenty. Suffering from hair loss and living in poverty, she had every reason to accept her lot in life. Instead, she became Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first female self-made millionaire.
The Comeback Fuel: This series is a powerful lesson in identifying a need and creating your own market. Walker didn't just invent a hair care product; she built an empire by empowering her customers and sales agents. She saw a problem that society ignored—the specific hair care needs of Black women—and turned it into a cornerstone of community and commerce. Her story is a testament to the fact that your greatest business idea might be hiding in a problem that you personally face.
Actionable Tip: Look at the frustrations in your own life or community. What problem do you wish someone would solve? Like Walker, who started by mixing formulas in her own kitchen, your comeback can begin by creating a solution on a small scale. Don’t wait for permission or funding—start with what you have, where you are.
2. The Queen's Gambit
The Underdog: While fictional, Beth Harmon’s journey is the quintessential underdog story. She's an orphan in the 1950s, battling addiction and trauma, who enters the hyper-masculine, unforgiving world of competitive chess. Every opponent underestimates her, seeing only a troubled young girl, not the strategic genius within.
The Comeback Fuel: The Queen's Gambit is a stunning visualization of obsession and mastery. Beth’s comeback isn't just about winning; it's about channeling her demons into a singular focus. The show teaches us that true excellence requires dedication that borders on obsession. It’s about the thousands of hours spent alone, studying, practicing, and visualizing success long before you ever sit down at the board.
Actionable Tip: Identify the one core skill that your comeback depends on. Is it coding? Public speaking? Financial modeling? Dedicate a non-negotiable block of time each day to its mastery. Treat it like Beth treated chess: study the greats, practice relentlessly, and learn to visualize your success in vivid detail.
3. The Dropout
The Underdog: Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford dropout with a revolutionary vision to change healthcare. She was a young woman in the male-dominated world of Silicon Valley tech and venture capital, armed with a powerful idea and unshakeable charisma.
The Comeback Fuel: This is our first cautionary tale. The Dropout is essential viewing for any ambitious person because it brilliantly dissects the razor-thin line between vision and delusion. Holmes’ initial underdog story is compelling, but her refusal to admit failure or pivot when her technology didn't work is the ultimate lesson. It teaches that your "why" must be tethered to reality. A powerful narrative can get you in the door, but substance is what keeps you in the room.
Actionable Tip: Regularly "stress test" your big idea. Actively seek out dissenting opinions and critical feedback, not just validation from supporters. The goal isn't to let critics derail you, but to identify blind spots before they become catastrophic failures. True strength is adapting your plan, not blindly sticking to a failing one.
4. When They See Us
The Underdog: Five teenagers of color from Harlem—Korey, Antron, Yusef, Kevin, and Raymond—who were wrongfully convicted of a brutal crime they did not commit. They were underdogs against a flawed justice system, media sensationalism, and a society quick to judge.
The Comeback Fuel: This series redefines what a "comeback" means. It’s not about wealth or fame, but about the reclamation of truth, identity, and life itself after unimaginable injustice. The perseverance of the Exonerated Five, especially Korey Wise's journey, is a profound lesson in human resilience. It shows that sometimes, the greatest victory is simply surviving and having your truth finally be heard.
Actionable Tip: Connect with your core values. When you're facing a professional or personal battle that feels unjust, ground yourself in your "why." For the Five, it was their innocence. For you, it might be your integrity, your family, or your commitment to your craft. This internal compass provides the strength to endure when external validation is absent.
5. Fosse/Verdon
The Underdog: Bob Fosse, a groundbreaking choreographer and director, and Gwen Verdon, a legendary Broadway dancer. Despite their immense talent, they were constantly battling for creative control, financial backing, and relevance in a changing industry. They were also underdogs in their own tumultuous relationship, fighting against personal demons and insecurities.
The Comeback Fuel: This series is a raw look at the price of creative genius and the power of a complicated partnership. It reminds us that no icon is built in a vacuum. Fosse's dark, cynical vision was often balanced and brought to life by Verdon’s brilliance and emotional intelligence. Their story teaches that your comeback might not be a solo journey. Finding the right collaborator—someone who challenges you, understands your vision, and fills your skill gaps—can be the catalyst for your greatest work.
Actionable Tip: Evaluate your support system. Who is your Gwen Verdon? It could be a business partner, a mentor, a spouse, or a trusted colleague. Be intentional about nurturing that relationship. Acknowledge their contributions and understand that true collaboration is often the secret ingredient to a lasting legacy.
6. Chernobyl
The Underdog: A small group of scientists, engineers, and civil servants, led by Valery Legasov and Boris Shcherbina. They were the ultimate underdogs, pitted against the single greatest nuclear disaster in history, a secretive and obstructive government bureaucracy, and the invisible, deadly threat of radiation itself.
The Comeback Fuel: Chernobyl is a masterclass in leadership and problem-solving under extreme pressure. It highlights the courage it takes to speak truth to power, especially when the stakes are life and death. The "comeback" here wasn't for personal gain, but for the sake of millions. It's a stark reminder that sometimes, the most important work we do involves confronting inconvenient truths and making difficult, unpopular decisions for the greater good.
Actionable Tip: Practice "intellectual honesty." When working on a project, are you ignoring data that contradicts your desired outcome? Like Legasov, have the courage to raise the red flag, even if it creates conflict. In the long run, tackling a problem head-on is far more effective than clinging to a comfortable lie.
7. Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
The Underdog: Sarah Breedlove, a daughter of formerly enslaved parents, who was orphaned at seven and widowed by twenty. Suffering from hair loss and living in poverty, she had every reason to accept her lot in life. Instead, she became Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first female self-made millionaire.
The Comeback Fuel: This series is a powerful lesson in identifying a need and creating your own market. Walker didn't just invent a hair care product; she built an empire by empowering her customers and sales agents. She saw a problem that society ignored—the specific hair care needs of Black women—and turned it into a cornerstone of community and commerce. Her story is a testament to the fact that your greatest business idea might be hiding in a problem that you personally face.
Actionable Tip: Look at the frustrations in your own life or community. What problem do you wish someone would solve? Like Walker, who started by mixing formulas in her own kitchen, your comeback can begin by creating a solution on a small scale. Don’t wait for permission or funding—start with what you have, where you are.
8. The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
The Underdog: Prosecutor Marcia Clark. From the moment she took the case, she was an underdog. She was battling a legal "Dream Team" with unlimited resources, a defendant who was a beloved public figure, and a relentless, often sexist, media scrutiny that dissected her hair, her clothes, and her childcare arrangements.
The Comeback Fuel: The series is a brilliant study in maintaining professionalism and resilience under an avalanche of public pressure. Clark never wavered in her belief in her case, even as the world seemed to turn against her. It’s an essential watch for anyone whose comeback involves a public-facing role. It teaches you to focus on the work, not the noise, and to find strength in your convictions when external validation disappears.
Actionable Tip: Define your own metrics for success. The public and media will always have their own scorecards. If Marcia Clark had measured her success by headlines, she would have crumbled. Instead, focus on what you can control: the quality of your work, your integrity, and your commitment to your goal.
9. Halston
The Underdog: Roy Halston Frowick, a boy from Iowa who reinvented himself as the mononymous Halston, the king of 1970s American fashion. He was an underdog who clawed his way to the top of a ruthless industry with pure, unadulterated talent.
The Comeback Fuel: Halston's story is another cautionary tale, focusing on the danger of losing control of your own name and vision. After building an empire, he sold his brand for a massive sum, only to find himself a salaried employee with no creative freedom. It's a powerful reminder that in any comeback, ownership is key. This is a point Goh Ling Yong often emphasizes: building true, lasting value means retaining control over your core assets, whether that's an intellectual property or your personal brand.
Actionable Tip: Before you enter any partnership or deal, be crystal clear about your non-negotiables. What creative controls must you retain? What is the one thing you are not willing to sacrifice for money or scale? Define your "Halston line" and never cross it.
10. Pam & Tommy
The Underdog: Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, two of the biggest stars in the world, who instantly become underdogs when their most private and intimate moments are stolen and broadcast to the world without their consent. They were fighting for their privacy and dignity against a nascent, lawless internet and a public hungry for scandal.
The Comeback Fuel: The series is a fascinating look at how to navigate a narrative that has been stolen from you. It highlights the immense emotional toll of a public relations crisis and the difficulty of reclaiming your story. Pamela Anderson's journey, in particular, shows the slow, painful process of rebuilding a public identity on your own terms, years after the initial trauma.
Actionable Tip: Control your own platform. In the 90s, Pam and Tommy had few avenues to speak directly to the public. Today, you have social media, a blog, or a newsletter. If you're staging a professional comeback, start building your own channel now. It's your best defense and most powerful tool for shaping your own narrative.
11. Impeachment: American Crime Story
The Underdog: Monica Lewinsky. A 22-year-old White House intern who became the most humiliated woman in America. She was an underdog against the most powerful political office in the world, a partisan media machine, and late-night comedians who turned her into a punchline.
The Comeback Fuel: The true comeback story here isn't in the show itself, but what it represents: Lewinsky’s re-emergence years later as a producer on the series and a powerful anti-bullying advocate. The show, through her lens, is an act of reclaiming a story that was used to destroy her. It teaches the incredible power of patience and perspective. Sometimes a comeback isn't immediate; it’s a long game of survival, healing, and waiting for the right moment to re-enter the conversation with wisdom and strength.
Actionable Tip: Your past failures don't have to define your future. Think about a past mistake you've learned from. How can you reframe that experience not as a source of shame, but as a source of expertise and empathy? Lewinsky turned her trauma into a platform to help others. You can do the same.
12. Feud: Bette and Joan
The Underdog: Two aging Hollywood legends, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, who were deemed "past their prime" by a sexist, ageist studio system. Their joint comeback attempt was the psychological horror film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, a project no one wanted to make.
The Comeback Fuel: Feud is a masterclass in manufacturing your own opportunities when the world has written you off. Davis and Crawford knew the traditional system would no longer create starring roles for them, so they found a property and willed it into existence themselves. It's a lesson in proactivity. Don't wait for the phone to ring; find your own "Baby Jane."
Actionable Tip: If you're feeling stuck in your career, create a "passion project." It could be a small side business, a blog, a portfolio piece, or a community initiative. This project, free from the constraints of your day job, can be the vehicle that showcases your skills, reignites your passion, and leads to your next big opportunity.
13. Genius (Season 1: Einstein)
The Underdog: A young Albert Einstein, working as a patent clerk, whose revolutionary ideas about space and time were dismissed by the established scientific community. He was a daydreaming outsider challenging the very foundations of physics.
The Comeback Fuel: This series beautifully illustrates the importance of curiosity and unconventional thinking. Einstein’s breakthroughs didn't come from following the rules, but from asking profound, almost childlike questions that others overlooked. It’s a powerful reminder that your unique perspective, the very thing that might make you feel like an outsider, is often your greatest competitive advantage.
Actionable Tip: Schedule time for "unstructured thinking." Block out an hour in your calendar to simply read, wonder, and follow your curiosity without a specific goal. Go for a walk, visit a museum, or read a book on a topic completely unrelated to your field. This is where Einstein-level insights are born.
14. WeCrashed
The Underdog: Adam Neumann, an immigrant entrepreneur with a string of failed businesses, who co-founds WeWork with a vision to change not just office space, but the very nature of work itself. He was an outsider who sold a messianic vision to the world's biggest investors.
The Comeback Fuel: Like The Dropout, this is a vital cautionary tale about the difference between a visionary and a grifter. Neumann’s ability to sell his story is undeniable and, frankly, inspiring. He teaches us the power of branding and creating a movement around an idea. However, the company's spectacular collapse teaches an even more important lesson: a great story is worthless without sound business fundamentals to back it up.
Actionable Tip: Do a "story vs. substance" audit of your project or business. Are you so in love with your vision that you're ignoring red flags in your finances, product, or team? Make sure your spreadsheets are as compelling as your slide deck.
15. The Crown
The Underdog: A young Elizabeth Windsor, who was never expected to be Queen. She is thrust into the world's most scrutinized role with little preparation, forced to become an icon of stability while navigating immense personal and political challenges.
The Comeback Fuel: While she isn't a traditional "rags-to-riches" underdog, Queen Elizabeth II's story is one of adapting to a role you feel unprepared for. Her entire reign is a masterclass in consistency, duty, and playing the long game. The series shows how she repeatedly puts the needs of the institution (the Crown) above her own personal feelings. It’s a powerful, if extreme, lesson in separating your personal identity from your professional role to achieve long-term objectives.
Actionable Tip: When facing a major professional challenge, ask yourself: "What does my role require of me right now?" Step back from your personal anxieties and focus on the core duties and responsibilities. This shift in perspective can provide clarity and purpose, helping you navigate difficult situations with grace and authority.
Your Story is Waiting to be Written
From the boardrooms of WeWork to the chess halls of the 1960s, these stories offer more than just entertainment. They are rich, detailed case studies in ambition, resilience, strategy, and even failure. They show us that the path from underdog to icon is never a straight line. It's a messy, challenging, and deeply human journey.
The most important takeaway is this: every one of these icons started with a choice. A choice to try, to fight, to build, to speak up, or to simply endure. Your comeback starts with that same choice.
Now it's your turn. Which of these stories resonates most with where you are right now? What other series has fueled your ambition? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below—let's build on this library of inspiration together!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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