Top 10 Historical TV Series
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Sitting down and binge watching is great. However, sitting down and binge watching while learning a little bit of something is even better. History TV shows offer the best opportunities to combine these two activities. They show realistic historical settings with people who actually existed in an exciting and informative manner. At they same time, they add some theatrical details to make the story a little bit more exciting. Next time you sit down in front of the TV and are looking for something to watch, make sure to check out below for a list of the top 10 historical TV series.
#10: Vikings
Vikings is historical drama on the History Channel. In fact, it was the History Channel’s first foray into its own original series. This was a move away from documentaries and reality television shows that had previously dominated the channel. The series successfully premiered in 2013 to 8.3 million viewers.[1]VIKINGS Tops The Ratings With 8.3 Million Viewers It is currently one of the top TV shows to watch on TV. Five seasons with 59 episodes are currently available with a 6th season of 20 episodes coming. The show Vikings follows the Norse legendary Viking Ragnar Lothbro. It shows Ragnar’s rise to power from simple farmer to Scandinavian king and his raids from England to France. As the show progresses, it also follows his son’s adventures as they continue in their father’s traditions.
#9: Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empire is a period crime drama on HBO. The show successfully premiered in 2010 to 4.81 million viewers in the US and the last episode was aired in 2014. It has 5 seasons and 56 episodes. The series follows the life of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson a political figure in Atlantic City, New Jersey during the 1920s and 30s. Through his politically wheeling and dealing with all walks of life (from the common people to mob bosses) he makes and lives quite a lavish lifestyle. Interestingly, while many scenes in the show take place in Atlantic City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the filming is primarily done in New York City as the city is the only place that could really evoke the feel of the time period.
#8: Rome
One of the best TV shows is the historical TV series Rome that aired on HBO in the United States.[2]The New York Times – Rendering Unto Caesar’s Subjects; For a New HBO Series, a Colorful Ancient City Springs to Life in Rome
It premiered in 2005 to 3.81 million viewers in the US. The series ran for 2 seasons and 22 episodes between 2005 and 2007. The historical drama follows the lives of two fictional characters, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, in ancient Rome during the period of Julius Caesar, Octavian, and Mark Antony. It gives viewers an insight into the actions and personalities of the rich and powerful of Rome. It also allows viewers to see how the everyday common man lived and was affected by these actions. However, there are some creative licenses given as both Vorenus and Pullo are able to help shape the historical events in the TV series.
#7: Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers is an American war drama historical miniseries. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks produced the series which aired on HBO in the US. The miniseries includes 10 episodes that originally aired between September 9 and November 4, 2001. The series follows the historical “Easy Company” in the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division during World War II. It follows them through the war from famous battles such as the allied landings in Normandy, Operation Market Garden, the Siege of Bastogne, and the taking of the Kehlsteinhaus (Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest).
While the show features an ensemble cast, generally each episode focus on the brave actions of one character. Before the show even came out, there was already controversy. Many British World War II veterans condemned the series as “an absolute disgrace and an insult to the millions of brave Britons who helped with the war”.[3]The Guardian – We’re in this together They claimed, without actually having seen the series at the time, that the show made it seem like only the Americans won WWII. However, when looking back, the historical events that are depicted in the show are for the most part true, with obvious dramatically effects added for TV purposes.
#6: Mad Men
Mad Men is an American period drama that aired on AMC in the US. It premiered in 2007 to 1.65 million viewers in the US. The series’ 7 seasons and 92 episodes aired between 2007 and 2015. The series takes place in 1960s New York City at a top advertising firm. Through this lens, this popular TV show the changing attitudes and social conventions I the United States in the 1960s. The show has deep insight in the themes and motifs that it deals with, such as personal identity, gender, sexuality, alcoholism, counterculture, racism, and smoking. As such, critics regularly include Mad Men on lists of the best TV series ever produced.[4]Entertainment – TV: 10 All-Time Greatest
#5: Marco Polo
Viewers can find the historical TV series Marco Polo on Netflix. It premiered in 2014 and ended in 2016 after 2 seasons 20 episodes. This historical TV show follows the titular character, Marco Polo. Viewers see his early adventures in China and the court of Kublai Khan of the Mongol Empire. Filming for this movie was originally scheduled to be in China, but approval was never reached. Therefore, the director filmed in other places around the world such as Italy, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Hungary, and Slovakia. The filming heavily features the beautiful landscapes of these varying regions.[5]The Slovak Spectator – Marco Polo TV series finishes shooting in Slovakia
This historical TV series gives the viewer great insight into the culture of the Mongols at the time. However, it was not a financial success for Netflix. With $200 million in losses for Netflix, producers had to unfortunately decide to cancel the show after only 2 seasons. However, don’t worry too much as you can still go on Netflix and binge watch it right now.
#4: Hatfields & McCoys
If you are looking for some good TV shows to watch but don’t have a lot of time to invest, check out the miniseries the Hatfields & McCoys. It is a three part historical TV miniseries that was first aired on the History Channel. It was first shown on TV on May 28, 29, and 30, 2012. This historical TV series shows the infamous Hatfield and McCoy feud. The feud took place in 19th century West Virginia and Kentucky right after the Civil War. The convulsion of the feud makes it had to tell who the true villain is, which is accurately depicted in the show.
The series can best be described by Mary McNamara in her Los Angeles Times piece where she stated, “Although deftly nailed into its time and place with sets and costumes so vivid you can smell the blue wood smoke and the stink of moonshine sweat, Hatfields & McCoys transcends the confines of its age by revealing the feud’s posturing, resentments and callous violence that mirror the dynamics of modern urban gangs”.[6]LA Times – Review: ‘Hatfields & McCoys’ has vivid detail, fine acting
#3: The Tudors
The Tudors is a historical TV series that aired on Showtime. It first premiered in 2007 and ran for 4 seasons and 38 episodes before its final airing in 2010. The name suggests that the show is about the whole Tudor dynasty. However, it in fact only takes place in 16th century England during the reign of King Henry VIII.[7]The New York Times – Nasty, but Not So Brutish and Short Henry VIII famously did several things. First, he married six times. Second, he attempted to get an annulment from his first marriage with Catherine of Aragon. Lastly, due to his failure at annulling his marriage, he initiated the English Reformation and separation from the Catholic Church.
#2: Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey is a historical period drama that aired on PBS in the United States. It premiered in 2010 and ran for 6 seasons and 52 episodes before its final airing in 2015. It was one of the most popular TV shows of its time. In fact, when Michelle Obama was the First Lady, she loved the TV show so much. She “begged” the producers of the show for the 3rd season’s DVDs before they officially came out in the USA.
The historical TV series takes place at the fictional country estate of Downton Abbey (however, filming of the series takes place at the very real Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England)[8]Architectural Digest – Historic Houses: The Splendors of Highclere Castle between 1912 and 1926. It follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants as they experience life during this period. The events in the show are affected by many famous historical events such as the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, the Spanish influenza, the Irish War of Independence, as well as the rise of the working class and the fall of the British aristocracy.
#1: Deadwood
Deadwood is a historical TV series focusing on the American west. Originally, it aired on HBO in the US. It first came out in 2004 and ran for 3 season and 36 episodes before its final airing in 2006. The show takes place is the 1870s, in Deadwood, South Dakota. It shows the town’s growth from a small camp along the trails of the Gold Rush to a full town. it shows the industrialization of America. It features an ensemble cast and many famous historical figures such as Wyatt Earp, E.B. Farnum, Wild Bill Hickok, and Calamity Jane.
The series hits on many themes such as prostitution, race, prejudice against women, violence, immigration, and politics. However, the greatest theme, and the one that the show’s creator David Milch wanted to focus on the most was how to bring order from chaos. In fact, Milch, believed that this theme was so universal that even though he had originally wanted the show to have a Roman theme (but the TV show Rome was already on at the time) he was willing to change it to a Wild West theme instead. [9]Esquire – David Milch Does Not Believe in Genres
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