Ranking: See the best historical series of all time.

From ancient history to headline-grabbing crimes, historical series help us understand how the past has contributed to the present. Based on this, check out a list of productions that portray everything from Antiquity and World War II to significant crimes and recent geopolitical tensions, such as drug trafficking and terrorism. The list is organized in a ranking, from lowest to highest score, according to [the source]. R.

The White Princess (2017) 

75% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

Set at the end of the War of the Roses, The White Princess dramatizes the strategic marriage between Elizabeth of York (Jodie Comer) e Henry VII (Jacob Collins-Levy), connecting the houses of Y e Lancaster. While the Queen Mother Elizabeth Woodville (Essie Davis) and the devoted and calculating mother of Henry, Margaret Beaufort (Michelle Fairley)While conspiring behind the scenes, the new king faces threats to his legitimacy.

The GetDown (2016-2017) 

81% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

Set in the South Bronx in 1977, the series blends fiction and reality to depict the rise of hip hop and the decline of disco music. The young poet Ezekiel Figuero (Justice Smith) and the aspiring DJ Shaolin Fantastic (Shameik Moore) They join forces under the mentorship of the legendary Grandmaster Flash (Mamoudou Athie)Meanwhile, the ambitious Mylene Cruz (Herizen Guardiola) He challenges the religious conservatism of his father, the pastor. Ramon Cruz (Giancarlo Esposito), to pursue success in nightclubs.

The Crown (2016-2023)  

81% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

In one of the best historical series of all time, we follow the reign of... Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy), who assumes the throne at age 25 after the death of his father, the King George VI (Jared Harris)Amidst political intrigues and forbidden romances, the narrative explores the layers of power and the conflicts within the royal family, highlighting figures such as... Prince Philip (Matt Smith), Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby), Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor), Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson).

John Adams (2008)  

82% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

This acclaimed historical series chronicles the founding of the United States from the perspective of... John Adams (Paul Giamatti), an indispensable figure in the break with the British crown. The narrative weaves together major political milestones, such as the collaboration with Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane) In the Declaration of Independence, the deep emotional bond between the protagonist and his wife is highlighted. Abigail Adams (Laura Linney)Based on the actual letters exchanged by the couple, the series reveals how the intellect and support of Abigail were the foundation for Adams overcoming democratic crises and clashes with allies.

The Empress (2022–present)  

Original title: The Empress

83% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

the empress, one of the best historical series, dramatizes the rebellious rise of Elizabeth von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau) to the Austrian throne after her unexpected marriage to the Emperor Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant)True romance blossoms when French choose the young woman instead of her sister, Helene (Elisa Schlott)causing a scandal in the Viennese court.

Lakers: Time to Win (2022-2023)   

Original title: Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

83% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

Lakers: Time to Win revives the golden age of basketball in the 1980s, which began when the businessman Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) He acquired the Los Angeles Lakers with the vision of transforming sports into a spectacle. The series focuses on the rise of the "Showtime" style, driven by the charisma of the rookie. Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) and his complex alliance with the veteran Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes)Under the strategic command of characters such as Pat Riley (Adrien Brody) e Jerry West (Jason Clarke)The narrative details the true behind-the-scenes story of a dynasty that overcame egos and excesses to revolutionize the NBA.

The Investigation (2020)   

Original title: Efterforskningen

Popular title: The Investigation

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

Based on the true story of the "Submarine Crime," the series details the exhaustive search for justice following the disappearance of the Swedish journalist. Kim WallUnder the leadership of the investigator Jens Møller (Søren Malling)The Copenhagen Homicide Unit needs to find concrete evidence in a case with no witnesses or body. With the support of the prosecutor. Jakob Buch-Jepsen (Pilou Asbæk) With the cooperation of the victim's parents, the production focuses on the meticulous forensic work and the persistence of the authorities in solving one of the most complex and distressing criminal mysteries in modern Scandinavia.

American Crime Story (2016-present) 

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

The award-winning anthology recreates real crimes that shook the foundations of American society. The first season focuses on the highly publicized trial of... O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding Jr.) for the murder of nicole brown simpson (Kelly Dowdle) e Ron Goldman (Jake Koeppl), exposing racial tensions and judicial complexities. The second addresses the trail of violence of Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss) until the murder of the designer Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramírez), revealing the prejudice of the time. The third details the political scandal involving the president Bill Clinton (Clive Owen) e Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein).

Masters of Sex (2013-2016)  

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Play Market

Set in the 1950s, one of the best series based on true events dramatizes the research that revolutionized the understanding of human sexuality. The gynecologist William Masters (Michael Sheen) and the psychologist Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) They conduct pioneering studies at the University of Washington, challenging scientific and social taboos from the pre-sexual revolution era through polygraphs and clinical observations. 

Masters of the Air (2024)  

Original title: Masters of the air

85% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: AppleTV

This series about World War II recounts the true story of the 100th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Air Force, led by Majors... Gale Cleven (Austin Butler) e John Egan (Callum Turner) on missions against Nazi Germany. Known as the "Bloody Hundredth," the unit faced losses at 25 feet, accurately portraying the courage to survive the aerial chaos that defined the fate of this historical landmark.

The Borgias (2011-2013)  

Original title: The Borgias

85% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Play Market

This historical series focuses on the Spanish noble Borgia family, one of the most controversial and, at the same time, powerful dynasties of the Renaissance period. Led by the patriarch Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons), which eventually becomes the Pope Alexander VI, the Borgias use manipulation, bribery and violence to gain control over Italy. From there, the narrative explores the complex family dynamics, with Rodrigo trying to balance his personal desires and his ambition for power, while his children, Cesare (Francois Arnaud) e Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger), are manipulated through arranged marriages with rival families. 

Five Days at Memorial Hospital (2022)  

Original title: Five Days at Memorial

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: AppleTV

Five Days at Memorial Hospital It portrays the tense moments faced by doctors and nurses during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. As water levels rise, power is cut off and temperatures soar, forcing hospital healthcare professionals to devise alternative ways to save lives amidst the chaos. The cast includes... Vera Farmiga, Cornelius Smith Jr. e Cherry jones.

Dr. Death (2021-2023)   

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

In one of the best series based on real events, Dr. Death is about Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson), A sociopathic neurosurgeon who caused the death and mutilation of numerous patients during his surgeries. The series follows two other doctors, the Dr. Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin) and Dr. Randall Kirby (Christian Slater), who are trying to prevent Duntsch when they notice the pattern of fatal medical errors.

The Spy (2019) 

Original title: The Spy

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The Spy It tells the true story of Eli Cohen (Sacha Baron Cohen), a humble store clerk who becomes one of the most notable spies in Israeli history. Recruited by the Mossad, Israel Institute of Intelligence and Special OperationsIn the 1960s, the young man is sent to Syria, where he infiltrates the political and military elite, gaining the trust of key figures and gathering essential information about military plans against Israel. 

Rome (2005-2007) 

Original title: Rome

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

In this series about ancient history, Roman soldiers Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) e Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson) They witness the fall of the Republic and the rise of an Empire amidst wars and intrigues. While the duo faces family tragedies, the political landscape is shaped by the ambitions of... Julius Caesar (Ciarán Hinds), the conspiracies of Atia (Polly Walker) and the power struggles involving Marco Antônio (James Purefoy) e Otávio/César Augusto (Max Pirkis/Simon Woods).

Victoria: The Life of a Queen (2016-2019)  

Original title: Victoria

87% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

Inspired by the monarch's actual diaries, the series narrates the beginning of her reign. Victoria (Jenna Coleman)The story follows Jane Austen, who ascends the British throne at age 18 amidst political uncertainty. The narrative focuses on her transformation from an isolated young woman into a great sovereign, highlighting her complex relationship with her mentor. Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell) and the romance with the Prince Albert (Tom Hughes).

The Looming Tower (2018)  

88% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

Based on the book of Lawrence Wright, The Looming Tower It reconstructs the real events that preceded the September 11 attacks, focusing on the institutional negligence generated by the rivalry between the FBI and the CIA. The narrative highlights how the lack of cooperation between the agent John O'Neill (Jeff Daniels) And the intelligence agency allowed Al-Qaeda to advance undetected on American soil. Names like Tahar Rahim, Wrenn Schmidt e Bill camp They are also in the cast.

The Golden Age (2022–present) 

Original title: The Gilded Age

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

Created by Julian Fellowes, the same person responsible for Downton AbbeyThe series portrays the economic boom of New York in 1882, marked by intense conflict between the traditional aristocracy and the new millionaires of the industrial age. The story focuses on the ambitious... Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) who, along with her railroad magnate husband, defies social norms to infiltrate the conservative elite led by Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski).

Dopesick (2021)   

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

dopesick It is inspired by the true story of the opioid crisis in the United States, focusing on the rise and dissemination of the painkiller OxyContin. The plot follows the lives of several characters, including... Dr Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton), a doctor who finds himself involved in prescribing the drug, and the DEA agent, Bridget Meyer (Rosario Dawson), which fights to expose the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, it is detailed how the Purdue pharma, leadered by Richard Sackler (Michael Stuhlbarg) aggressively promoted OxyContin, which led to an epidemic of addiction and deaths.

Escape at Dannemora (2018) 

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Paramount +

Produced and directed by Ben Stiller"The Prisoner of the Dead," one of the series based on true events, follows the small, quiet town of Dannemora and its maximum-security prison. Two inmates, Richard Matt (Benicio del Toro) e David Sweat (Paul Dano), become romantically involved with Tilly Mitchell (Patricia Arquette), a prison officer who helps them escape.

Gaslit (2022) 

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

gaslit It explores the behind-the-scenes events and unfolding of the Watergate scandal through the true story of... Martha Mitchell (Julia Roberts), the first person to publicly denounce the corruption of the Nixon administration. In the cast, Sean Penn, Dan Stevens e Betty Gilpin.

Narcos (2015-2017)  

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

One of the best historical series addresses the history of drug trafficking in Colombia and focuses primarily on the rise of the infamous Medellín cartel, led by Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura)In the narrative, we follow the relentless pursuit by DEA agents, Steve MurphyBoyd Holbrook e Javier Pena (Pedro Pascal), to capture Escobar and to dismantle their criminal network. Narcos It is a production about the violence, corruption, and devastating impact that cartels had on Colombian society and the United States during the 1980s and 1990s. 

The Pacific (2010)  

Original title: The Pacific

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

produced by Steven Spielberg e tom hankThe series is based on true accounts to portray operations in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. The story focuses on the real experiences of the Marines. Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello) e John Basilone (Jon Seda)From the baptism of fire at Guadalcanal to the bloody battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Tokyo Vice (2022-2024) 

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

Inspired by the reporter's real-life memoirs Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort)The series follows a young American journalist as he becomes the first foreigner to join the staff of a major Japanese newspaper in the 1990s. Under the mentorship of detective... Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe)He delves into the dangerous underworld of the Yakuza to investigate crimes that the police and the press prefer to ignore.

The Dropout (2022) 

90% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDbA

Where to watch: Disney +

The Dropout presents the story of Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried)A young, ambitious woman drops out of Stanford to found Theranos, a revolutionary startup promising to improve blood tests with innovative technology. As she wins over investors and builds her company, the pressure to deliver results leads her to make risky and questionable decisions that threaten her business. 

The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) 

Original title: The Last Kingdom

91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The Last Kingdom accompanies Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon nobleman captured and raised by Vikings who, as an adult, seeks to reclaim his ancestral heritage. His journey intersects with Alfred the Great (David Dawson) who has a project to unify the kingdoms of England against the Nordic invasions. Torn between his pagan upbringing and his Christian origins, Uhtred He becomes an essential warrior in the Saxon resistance, facing betrayals and epic battles that defined the birth of a nation in the 9th century.

Boardwalk Empire: The Smuggling Empire (2010-2014) 

Original title: Boardwalk Empire

92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

Em One of the best historical series, we follow the life of the gangster. Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), during the “Prohibition” era in the United States, when the sale of alcoholic beverages was illegal. Set in Atlantic City, the production shows nucky Becoming involved in the lucrative and dangerous bootlegging trade, while also dealing with political intrigue and violent rivalries. The cast includes... Kelly Macdonald e michael shannon.

Dickinson (2019-2021)  

92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: AppleTV

The series portrays the poet's youth. Emily DickinsonHailee Steinfeld The story takes place in the 19th century and follows the resistance against social norms and family restrictions that prevent women from pursuing writing professionally. Focusing on the author's creative process and her personal relationships, Dickinson It uses a modern aesthetic to show how Emily He defied the conventions of his time to protect his artistic identity and his unique worldview.

The Knick (2014-2015)  

92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

Set in New York at the turn of the 20th century, The Knick accompanies the Dr John Thackery (Clive Owen) at the helm of Knickerbocker Hospital. In an era of experimental medicine and high mortality, Thackery He challenges the limits of science with pioneering surgical techniques, while battling a severe addiction to cocaine and opium. Simultaneously, he addresses issues of racial segregation with the arrival of the Black surgeon. Algernon Edwards (André Holland)The story offers a realistic portrayal of the birth of modern medicine and the ethical dilemmas that shaped public hospitals.

Vikings (2013-2020)  

93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The series follows Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a Nordic farmer who becomes a legendary king and terror of European nations. Alongside his wife and warrior Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), Ragnar It challenges local traditions to lead the first Viking raids westward, exploring the coasts of England and France. Amidst bloody battles and cultural clashes with Christianity, the plot blends historical accounts with mythology to portray the golden age of Scandinavian expansion and the brutal fate of its heroes and gods. The cast includes... Gustaf Skarsgård e alexander ludwig.

War Brothers (2001)  

Original title: Band of Brothers

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 9,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

War brothers  portrays the true story of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the United States Army during the Second World WarThe narrative follows the soldiers from their intensive training to the decisive battles in Europe, showcasing their determination, the bonds of brotherhood, and the emotional challenges they faced during the conflict. The cast includes... Scott Grimes, Matthew Leitch e Damian Lewis.

Mary & George (2024)  

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: balloon play

Set in the English court of the 17th century, the story follows Mary Villiers (Julianne Moore) and his son, George (Nicholas Galitzine) in the pursuit of power. In a bold political maneuver, mary shapes the charismatic George so that he becomes the favorite lover of King James I (Tony Curran), securing influence and titles for his family.

Our Boys (2019)   

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

Our Boys It recreates the real events of 2014 that paralyzed Israel after the kidnapping of three Jewish teenagers and the brutal retaliatory murder of a young Palestinian man. Mohammed Abu Khdeir (Ram Masarweh)The story focuses on the investigation conducted by the Shin Bet agent, Simon (Shlomi Elkabetz)...which needs to identify those responsible amidst a society inflamed by grief and hatred.

Chernobyl (2019)  

95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 9,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

Chernobyl This is the best historical series about the nuclear disaster that occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The production shows the heroic efforts of men and women, such as the physicist... Valery Legasov (Jared Harris), the engineer Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) and the security officer Anatoly Dyatlov (Paul Ritter)...to contain the disaster and minimize the catastrophic damage caused by the reactor explosion, as well as to expose the governmental failures and lies surrounding the accident. The cast also includes... Jessie Buckley e Stellan Skarsgard.

Manhunt (2017-2020)  

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

Manhunt It's an anthology that focuses on the FBI's hunt for the terrorist. Ted Kaczynski (Paul Bettany), The Unabomber, who terrorized the US for decades with package bombs. The story highlights the agent's role. Jim Fitzgerald (Sam Worthington), a pioneering profiler who used forensic linguistics to decipher the criminal's manifesto and identify its authorship.

Mrs America (2020)  

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

One of the best historical series explores the battle for women's rights in the United States in the 1970s, focusing on the fight for ratification of the Constitution. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The story follows important figures in the feminist movement, such as Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne) e Betty Friedan (Tracy Ullman), as they face unexpected opposition from Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett), a conservative who is leading a movement against the amendment.

The Queen's Gambit (2020) 

Original title: The Queen's Gambit

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

Based on the work of Walter Tevis Inspired by the competitive atmosphere of the Cold War, the series follows... Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan who reveals herself to be a chess prodigy in the 1950s. With the support of her mentor, Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp) and her adoptive mother Alma Wheatley (Marielle Heller)She rises in a male-dominated sport while battling drug addiction.

Show Me a Hero (2015)  

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

The series depicts the crisis in Yonkers in 1987, when the young mayor... Nick Wasicsko (Oscar Isaac) He is legally obligated to build affordable housing in white, middle-class neighborhoods. Facing conservative resistance from politicians such as Henry Spallone (Alfred Molina), Wasicsko He sees his career and the city consumed by violent racial tension.

Transatlantic (2023)   

Original title: Transatlantic

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

In this series about World War II, based on the true story of the Emergency Rescue Committee, the plot follows the journalist. Varian Fry (Cory Michael Smith) and the heiress Mary Jayne Gold (Gillian Jacobs) In a race against time in occupied France, they are based in Marseille and lead a clandestine operation to save Jewish artists and intellectuals from the Nazi regime.

A Very English Scandal (2018) 

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

One of the best historical series recreates the real scandal that shook British politics in the 70s, when the prestigious Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant) saw his career threatened by the existence of Norman Scott (Ben Whishaw)To protect his rise in Parliament and conceal his past same-sex relationship, Thorpe resorts to extreme and dangerous maneuvers to ensure silence. Scott.

Small Axe (2020) 

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

The anthological Small Ax It focuses on the real-life experiences of the Caribbean community in London between 1969 and 1982, highlighting their resistance against systemic racism. Through characters such as Altheia Jones-LeCointe (Letitia Wright), one of the main leaders of the Black Panther movement, and the police officer Leroy Logan (John Boyega)The production dramatizes historical events such as the trial of the "Mangrove Nine." Considered one of the best historical series on the list, the plot reinforces the cultural heritage of the West Indies and the fight for justice that transformed the social and political landscape of Great Britain.

Black Bird (2022)   

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: AppleTV

Inspired by real events, the plot follows Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton)A convict who receives the chance of full freedom if he manages to obtain a confession from the alleged serial killer. Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser)Transferred to a maximum security prison, keene He needs to manipulate the inmate to discover the whereabouts of the bodies of several missing young women before the appeal process runs out. Hall be accepted.

Posing (2018-2021)   

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

Set in New York in the late 1980s, the best LGBTQIAPN+ historical series tells the story of Blanca Rodriguez (MJ Rodriguez), a trans woman who takes in young LGBT people who have been kicked out of their homes and forms her own family, creating an environment of support and belonging. Amidst the rise of luxury culture and the emergence of balls queer, Blanca And their children deal with personal, social, and economic situations amidst a time marked by the fight against HIV. The cast includes... Billy Porter, Indya Moore e Dominique Jackson.

Alias ​​Grace (2017)  

99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

One of the series based on true events explores the case of Grace Marks (Sarah Gordon), a Canadian maid accused and convicted of murdering her employer, Thomas Kinnear (Paul Gross), and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery (Anna Paquin), in 1843. However, the young woman has no clear memories of the crime, which ends up raising doubts about the accusation. Years later, the psychiatrist Dr. Simon Jordan (Edward Holcroft) is summoned to evaluate her mental health and decide whether she can plead insanity. 

Wolf Hall (2015-2025) 

99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

One of the best historical series portrays the political rise of Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), who of humble origins becomes the chief advisor of King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis)Set in 16th-century England, the plot focuses on the shrewdness of Cromwell to orchestrate the annulment of the monarch's marriage with Catherine of Aragon (Joanne Whalley) and to make the union with possible Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy). Wolf Hall It details the English Reformation and the power struggles, showing how Cromwell It shaped modern history through manipulation and loyalty.

The Serpent Queen (2022-2024)  

Original title: The Serpent Queen

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

The Serpent Queen accompanies the rise of Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton), an Italian orphan sent to the French court of the 16th century, forced to marry the future king. Henry (Alex Heath / Lee Ingleby)She faces the humiliation of seeing her husband in love with his mistress. Diane de Poitiers (Ludivine Sagnier) and the political pressure of not producing heirs. With great shrewdness and pragmatism, Catarina She survived religious and dynastic conspiracies, ruling France as regent for decades and cementing her legacy as a determined, yet misunderstood, strategist.

A Small Light (2023) 

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

One of the best series based on true stories tells the story of the courage of Miep Gies (Bel Powley), the secretary who, with the support of her husband Jan Gies (Joe Cole), hid the family from Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber) During the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, for two years the couple risked their lives to protect eight people in the "Secret Annex," including the young woman. Anne Frank (Billie Boullet).

The Narrow Road to the Ends of the North (2025) 

Original title: The Narrow Road to the Deep North

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

It series The film, set during World War II, portrays the trauma of Australian prisoners of war forced by the Japanese Empire to build the Death Railway between Thailand and Burma in 1943. In this context, the surgeon... Dorrigo Evans (Jacob Elordi) He tries to lead his men under inhumane conditions, while being tormented by the memory of a forbidden romance with... Amy Mulvaney (Odessa Young), your uncle's wife Keith Mulvaney (Simon Baker).

Sound on the Track (2022)  

Original title: The playlist

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

Based on the real-life rise of Spotify, the best historical music series dramatizes how the visionary... Daniel Ek (Edvin Endre) and the businessman Martin Lorentzon (Christian Hillborg) They challenged piracy and giant record labels to save the music industry. Through multiple perspectives, the production details the creation of the algorithm...r Andreas Ehn (Joel Lützow) and the legal battles fought by the lawyer Petra Hansson (Gizem Erdogan). 

Toxic City (2025) 

https://youtu.be/ie6WSX0py58?si=sZh8igVh4p3GY4Dk

Original title: Toxic Town

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

Inspired by the real-life environmental scandal in Corby, England, this best historical series portrays the epic fight of three mothers for justice. After the improper disposal of toxic waste from a former steel mill in the 90s, the town faced an alarming outbreak of birth defects in newborns. The plot follows... Susan McIntyre (Jodie Whittaker), Tracey Taylor (Aimee Lou Wood) e Maggie Mahon (Claudia Jessie) in a legal battle lasting almost two decades against the local council.

Which of these historical moments received the best television adaptation? Leave your opinion in the comments!

See also other features:

See which series were renewed and which were canceled in 2026.

Ranking: best drama series

Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 16 / 01 / 2025.

Sources: R, Metacritic e Netflix