Much like film, television has proven to transport viewers to another time and place through its rich world-building and characterization, offering a glimpse into history through the magic of storytelling. Although it is nearly impossible to find a show that has not taken creative liberties in one way or another for entertainment purposes, some period pieces are actually quite precise, receiving acclaim for their meticulous attention to detail and arduous research.
Although all historical shows have some inevitable inaccuracies, some are quite true to the real-life events they depict, entertaining audiences while transporting viewers to the past and educating them in the meantime. Without further ado, fromThe TerrortoBand of Brothers,these are the most historically accurate shows of all time, ranked by overall greatness.
10’The Terror' (2018 - 2025)
Created by David Kajganich, Max Borenstein, and Alexander Woo
Despite its supernatural elements,The Terroris one of the most historically accurate shows available to stream at the moment, making for a great pick for those who enjoy horror and historical dramas. An engaging anthology with each season inspired by a different infamous or mysterious real-life historical tragedy. In the first season,The Terrorprovides viewers with a fresh, fictionalized take on English rear admiral and explorerSir John Franklin’s last expedition.
The Terrorcertainly keeps boredom at bay with its chilling and immersive atmosphere and entertaining narrative.One of its most praised aspects is its detailed reconstruction of the mid-19th century and the accuracy of its recountduring the show’s first season; even though there is no way to be sure about what happened in detail, as TV and film storylines are frequently dramatized to provide entertainment,The Terroris generally considered a historically accurate watch with a layer of supernatural intrigue.
The Terror
9’John Adams' (2008)
Created by Kirk Ellis
Based onDavid McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography and starring Academy Award-nominatedPaul Giamattiin the titular role,John Adamscenters around the life of one of the USA’s Founding Fathers, its second president, and his role in the nation’s first 50 years.
Although the highly producedJohn Adamsseemingly got some small details wrong and is still a dramatized take at the end of the day,the Giamatti-led series has been praised for its commitment to realism and accurate depiction of events. Furthermore,Kirk Ellis' show has intrigued viewers in how it delves into the personal struggles of its layered characters, with the relationship between John and Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), rooted in mutual respect, taking the front stage in some instances.
John Adams
8’The Pacific' (2010)
Created by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Gary Goetzma
Much like its predecessorBand of Brothers,The Pacificis a powerful and resonant miniseries that makes for the perfect pick for fans ofwar-related media. Through its immersive narrative, it showcases the terrors and brutality of such dark times through the eyes of those who have endured them. In the meantime,The Pacificalso humanizes these people by delving deep into their characters.
The Pacificcaptures the harrowing experiences of Marines in a heartbreaking way, never shedding away from illustrating the physical and psychological toll of war and highlighting the devastating events real-life soldiers have faced. Drawn from memoirs ofEugene Sledge,Robert Leckie, and interviews with surviving veterans,the consensus seems to be thatThe Pacificis a generally historically precise show; its realism ranges from its recreation of haunting landscapes to military equipment.
The Pacific
7’The Knick' (2014 - 2015)
Created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler
A medical drama that offers audiences a look at the professional and personal lives of the staff at New York’s Knickerbocker Hospital during the early part of the twentieth century,The Knickis usually a part of the conversation when it comes to shows of its genre. The way it highlights real issues and its memorable characters are a big part of its appeal. However, its historical accuracy is often praised.
Directed byStevenSoderbergh,The Knickisa beautifully produced series thatfaithfully portrays the medical breakthroughsof the 20th century, resulting in a great watch for historical enthusiasts and medical drama aficionados alike. Despite being a work of fiction (even if loosely based on real events), it is safe to say that theJack AmielandMichael Begleshow is based on exhaustive historical research.
6’Boardwalk Empire' (2010 - 2014)
Created by Terence Winter
Featuring both fictional and real-life criminals, such asAlCaponeandLuckyLuciano,Terrence Winter’sBoardwalk Empirefollows an Atlantic City politician (Steve Buscemi) who plays both sides of the law by conspiring with the gangsters during the Prohibition era. Through itsenthralling real-life-inspired storyline, the 2010 series meditates on political corruption and the so-called American dream.
Boardwalk Empire’s mix of fact and fiction makes it an interesting watch in the period drama genre, with its recreation of the Prohibition era appealing to several viewers. While it is nearly impossible to say how much of it is actually accurate,the consensus seems to be that the 2010 series is, for the most part, a very detailed and authentic depiction of the cultural and political dynamics of the time.
Boardwalk Empire
5’Pride and Prejudice' (1995)
Created by Andrew Davies
While the 2005 film is a fan-favorite,Andrew Davies' show, which premiered 10 years prior, is frequently considered the best version of the two by long-lifeJane Austenfans. The story centers around the opinionated Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) and the haughty Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), depicting the beginning of their iconic tumultuous relationship.
It’s not difficult to grasp whyPride and Prejudiceis one of the most belovedadaptations of Jane Austen’s spellbinding world, especially when taking its historical accuracy and faithfulness to its source material into account. Davies' show breathes new life into the beloved tale and immerses viewers in its bewitching love story. Furthermore,it has earned praise from researchers for its depiction of Regency-era England, with the fashion and costumes in particular capturing the attention of many.
Pride And Prejudice
4’Rome' (2005 - 2007)
Created by John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller
Like other entries on this list,Romefeatures a few fictionalized elements. Nevertheless, it is arguably one ofthe best illustrations of Ancient Romein both film and television. The HBO period drama chronicles the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
Rich in historical details,this 2005 sword and sandal epic delivers some amazing details in costuming and production design, despite not being a spot-on accurate show in all fields. Additionally, all the real historical figures it includes — includingJulius Caeser,Pompey, andCleopatra— combined with its vivid, authentic representation of Roman society makes it a very believable show, contributing to a memorable time in front of the screen particularly for history enthusiasts.
Watch on Max
3’The Crown' (2016 - 2023)
Created by Peter Morgan
Peter Morgan’sThe Crownhas won over the hearts of many viewers with itsauthentic portrayals of British royals. The series showcases the Queen’s rise to the throne. Its later seasons, which follow the queen of hearts and people’s princess Lady Diana — played to perfection byEmma CorrinandElizabeth Debicki— have caught the attention of many.
AlthoughThe Crowndramatizes events for entertainment purposes, it is generally considered a historically accurate show that appears to have done its research— so much so that it was a favorite of the lateQueen Elizabeth IIherself (asreported by Entertainment Weekly). The series illustrates pivotal moments in British history with precision, delving deep into the struggles of the monarchy and depicting the complex dynamics of the royal family, resonating with audiences all over the globe.
Watch on Netflix
2’Chernobyl' (2019)
Created by Craig Mazin
Shortly following its release, the epic docudramaChernobylreceived excellent feedback from critics and went on to take the Primetime Emmy Awards by storm, gathering 10 wins under its belt. Based on the real-life disaster that happened in April 1986 in the Soviet Union,Chernobylillustrates the lives of many heroes who put their lives on the line in the following months.
With incredible acting performances, atmospheric cinematography, and production design,Chernobyl’s devastatingly accurate portrayal of the most catastrophic events in modern history has appealed to general audiences and critics alike; although there are simplifiedanddramatized elements, the way it depicts the aftermath of such a tragic accident and all the scientific details are usually regarded as precise.
1’Band of Brothers' (2001)
Created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks
Thehistorical war epicBand of Brothersis also a noteworthy series when it comes to historically accurate shows. The storyline, which goes from Operation Overlord to V-J Day, focuses on the story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe.
Much like the previously mentionedThe Pacific, this even better series is a landmark in the historical drama genre, with its commitment to authenticity being highly valued by critics and audiences alike.Bands of Brothersinvites audiences to take a sneak peek into WWII’s major events and connect with its characters through their stories of sacrifice and courage, andits accurate representation of one of the most significant conflicts has cemented the series as one of the best shows of all time.
