8 Enthralling Historical Drama Shows for History Lovers

Based on the 2007 book by Donald L. Miller, Masters of the Air follows the 100th Bomb Group, the Eighth Air Force unit nicknamed the “Bloody Hundredth”, during World War II. Developed by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks—a follow-up from the duo of another show on the list, Band of Brothers—the cast features Austin Butler as Major Gale Winston Cleven and Callum Turner as Cleven’s close friend Major John Egan, as well as Barry Keoghan and Ncuti Gatwa as other American airmen in the unit.

The Apple TV+ miniseries tells the story of the crew of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, as they track and destroy targets in German-occupied Europe. Rather bleak in its depiction of war and ensuing violence, the show highlights the sacrifices required of airmen and the bonds that form in the face of immense tragedy. 

The 2008 HBO miniseries, John Adams, follows the political and personal life of a Founding Father and the second president of the United States. In seven parts, the series explores the remarkable life of John Adams, a figure often overlooked in the establishment of America’s independence and government. 

Adapted from David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of the same name, the show begins with the Boston Massacre in 1770, then turns to Adams’s years in Europe as an ambassador, followed by his terms as vice president and president, until his death on July 4, 1826. Winning four Golden Globes and thirteen Emmy Awards, the show has become beloved by history buffs and equally by those looking for an introduction to America’s legacy.

Alongside Paul Giamatti playing John Adams, viewers will find Laura Linney as Abigail Adams, Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson, David Morse as George Washington, Tom Wilkinson as Benjamin Franklin, and more, totaling in a star-studded lineup. 

The first non-English-language show to win best drama at the Emmys, Shōgun, the FX samurai series, took the 76th Emmys by storm with 25 nominations and 18 wins. Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, the series tells the story of two men from different backgrounds who meet in 17th-century Japan.

John Blackthorne, an English sailor, winds up shipwrecked in Japan, and Lord Toranga, a wealthy daimyo, is in a ramping conflict with political rivals, competing for the title of Shōgun. The collision of the two main characters during a period of transition in Japan, along with Lady Mariko, an ambitious woman with a troubled family history, ultimately shapes the action and power struggle of the series. 

The show has been praised for its immersive historical setting, bringing feudal Japan to life through stunning set designs, robust dialogue, and authentic costumes. It offers a nuanced perspective on the period, as well as Japanese culture as a whole.

An adaptation of Hilary Mantel's beloved trilogy, this BBC series centers on Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer famous for securing a marriage annulment for King Henry VIII of England from Anne Boleyn. Oscar-winner Mark Rylance plays the role of Cromwell, while Claire Foy, best known for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the hit historical adaptation The Crown, plays Boleyn. 

The first series, covering the events of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies begins with Cromwell’s early career, rising from humble beginnings, and then ends with Cromwell’s successive climb in political ranks after the execution of Anne Boleyn. Series two, which adapts The Mirror & The Light, starts with the aftermath of Anne’s execution, and Henry’s subsequent marriage to his third and fourth queens, which ultimately led to Cromwell’s own execution.  Apart from the standout performances from a stellar cast, the show provides an excellent portrayal of Tudor England, with its emergence as a significant European power.

Return to America, but this time to the western frontier with HBO’s Deadwood,  charting the expansion of the area following its annexation by the Dakota Territory. The show features an extensive ensemble cast, with Timothy Olyphant and Ian McShane in leading roles as real-life residents of Deadwood.

David Milch, the creator and producer, drew inspiration for the show from actual diaries and newspapers from 1870s Deadwood, although many of the plot lines are blended with fictional elements. The series begins in 1876, with the founding of the lawless gold-mining camp, and charts the town’s growth, with clashes between characters, politics, and rampant capitalism. Historical figures such as frontiersman Seth Bullock, pimp Al Swearengen, and soldier Wild Bill Hickok all feature, providing both educational and chaotic entertainment. 

The beloved HBO war drama miniseries, created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, Band of Brothers follows the legacy of "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. Also known as the “Screaming Eagles,” the series chronicles the members’ experiences during World War II, particularly their involvement on the Western Front, from D-Day to the occupation of Berchtesgaden.

The central character, Richard Winters, played by Damian Lewis, works diligently to bring the men together and accomplish missions safely, despite many of the soldiers in the ensemble cast being based on those who died in the field or sustained wounds that would ultimately lead to their demise. Drawing on interviews with survivors, including journals and letters, this series strives for accurate representation, spotlighting the sacrifices made by the soldiers for their nation. 

This five-part HBO series chronicles the events of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the subsequent efforts to mitigate its consequences. Among the ensemble cast is Oscar nominee Emily Watson as a Soviet physicist and Stellan Skarsgård, who won a Golden Globe for his performance as the Soviet Deputy Prime Minister.

Chernobyl—although a dramatization of the tragedy in which the nuclear power plant exploded in the Soviet Union—prioritizes spotlighting the real-life stories of the people involved and those who helped, including firefighters and volunteers. It’s a must-watch account of a devastating event in recent history, drawing upon the recollections of Pripyat locals, as told in Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich’s book Voices from Chernobyl.

HBO's The Gilded Age is set in New York City during the boom years. The series centers around Marian Brook, a young woman entering the social scene, caught between the old money of her family and the emerging new money of the Russell family. In addition, the series includes the lives of African-American upper class through its character Peggy Scott, as well as the domestic workers who serve these groups. 

Among the cast are Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector, who play the heads of the Russell family, as well as Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski, sisters of the old-money Van Rhijn-Brook family. The second season received six nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, at the 76th Emmy Awards, with particular praise for the costumes and standout acting.