BEST HISTORICAL TV SERIES TO WATCH
Historical TV series represent the perfect source of entertainment for anyone who wants to travel through time through the screen, especially thanks to their ability to capture the essence of bygone eras and transport viewers to distant worlds. Dramas, thrillers or love stories across time continue to captivate millions of viewers, whether in the short format of the miniseries, or season after season in the cases of major blockbusters. Some of these are based on true events, demonstrating that, sometimes, reality surpasses fiction; others have imaginary characters as protagonists, while the most daring completely reinvent the reference era to create new and exciting worlds. From those that focus on faithful historical reconstruction, such as The Crown, to those that mix invented characters with authentic historical settings, or that offer an intriguing and original vision of events from the past, such as the brand new Mary & George, we take you on a discovery of some of the best historical TV series to watch.
Mary & George
This new period series challenges the conventions of the genre and delves into dark corners of the Stuart court: Mary & George, created by D.C. Moore and available from Sunday 7 April exclusively on Sky, explores the scandalous relationship between England's King James I and his favourite, George Villiers, through a modern and uncensored lens. With the extraordinary performance of Julianne Moore in the role of the Countess of Buckingham who, through intrigue and subterfuge, convinced her son George (Nicholas Galitzine) to seduce King James I to make her his omnipotent lover, this Sky Atlantic production promises to immerse viewers in a world of intrigue, unbridled ambition and forbidden passions. The central relationship between Mary and George emerges, above all, as one of the most fascinating aspects of the series: rather than a conventional maternal bond, it resembles a criminal partnership, with the mother acting as her protector and her son her most prized possession. This perverse and at the same time provocative dynamic is masterfully portrayed by Moore and Galitzine, who manage to convey a mixture of complicity and resentment: not to be missed!
Franklin
Among the upcoming historical TV series to keep an eye on is also Franklin, a gripping historical and biographical drama starring Michael Douglas in the as Benjamin Franklin, one of the most iconic figures in American history. Created by Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder, this epic 8-part story explores a pivotal time when the future of American independence was being played out in France, through Franklin's diplomacy, charisma, and wit. In December 1776, Benjamin Franklin embarked on a secret mission to France: at the age of 70, without any previous diplomatic experience, he found himself negotiating the future of a nascent nation. Based on the book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America by Stacy Schiff, it tells how Franklin convinced an absolute monarchy to invest in the American democratic experiment. The series, out April 12 on Apple TV+, pays homage to a man whose vision was instrumental in shaping the American nation. In addition to political and diplomatic history, it presents itself as an in-depth exploration of the character and personality of one of the most multifaceted geniuses of his time.
The Great
Catherine the Great as you have never seen her before: this series, created by Tony McNamara (screenwriter of "The Favourite" and "Poor Creatures" by Yorgos Lanthimos), is a comedy halfway between grotesque and humor wildest, which traces a widely documented historical moment: the rise to power of Catherine II of Russia, who held the title of Empress of Russia for 34 years from 1762 until her death. Played brilliantly by Elle Fanning , Catherine must juggle love, betrayal and palace tensions, while she plots to kill her husband, a crude and cruel Peter III ( Nicholas Hoult ). The historical liberties, the cutting dialogues, the shameless tone and the mannerist staging are the keys to a story that hides the claws of power beneath the humour.
The Crown< 6>
Could British history be understood without its royal family? Netflix gave us a brilliant period series to answer that question: The Crown, based on Peter Morgan's hit play "The Audience." The series tells the story of the last queen of England, Elizabeth II, and the relationship between two of the most famous addresses in the world: Buckingham Palace and number 10 Downing Street, through the intrigues, loves and machinations behind the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. Two houses, two courts, one crown: each season tackles the political rivalries and personal intrigues of Elizabeth II's decade-long reign and explores the delicate balance between her private and public lives, weaving together some of the country's most iconic moments, with historical figures such as Winston Churchill or Margaret Thatcher. A history lesson mixed with palace dramas and sensational performances, which have made it a success among critics and the public.
Alias Grace
Set in 19th century Canada, this miniseries directed by Mary Harron is a little Netflix gem: Alias Grace follows the story of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), an Irish servant convicted for her alleged involvement in the brutal murder of her employers. The series, like the novel, is a historical drama with elements of mystery that explores the circumstances and motivations that led to the tragic event. However, Alias Grace is much more than just a crime story: it is an acute and thoughtful exploration of female oppression and the struggle for autonomy and self-determination. Based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, this miniseries delivers equally biting social commentary and boasts an incredible cast, led by Gadon's electric performance in the role. by Grace. Alias Grace stands out from other series for its mature and fierce portrayal of women's oppression in Victorian society: through Grace's transformation arc, we see how social expectations and restrictions limit her autonomy and determine her destiny.
Downtown Abbey
In the county of Yorkshire lives an aristocratic family who has made the public fall in love with this series of romantic entanglements and family scandals. The lives of the Crawleys and their servants run alongside some of the most important events of the time in the United Kingdom, from the sinking of the Titanic to the Spanish flu pandemic, to wars and conflicts with Ireland.
Since 2010 , millions of viewers could no longer do without the intrigues of this estate, discovering the fate of the main family, the Crawleys, and even critics crowned it one of the best historical TV series ever: the victories speak for themselves of 3 Golden Globes, 15 Emmy awards and 3 BAFTA awards. With a first-rate British cast, including a standout performance from Dame Maggie Smith, Downtown Abbey is a winning look at collective history and personal stories, so successful that two sequels were made, 2019's Downton Abbey and Downtown Abbey II – A new era of 2022.
Bridgerton
Bridgerton is certainly not synonymous with historical fidelity, but this does not mean that the era in which it is set is not immediately recognisable, especially for fans of Jane Austen's novels. The Netflix phenomenon series has been a resounding success since its first season, even raising the bar with the next and confirming its status as a "must see" for fans of the genre with a penchant for love stories. Julia Quinn's novels have fascinated millions of readers and, since 2020, millions of viewers: Netflix has definitely hit the mark by bringing the stories of love, adventure, intrigue and growth of the Bridgerton brothers to the screen. Sumptuous dresses, furtive glances, hidden loves, social conventions and a soundtrack that transforms pop classics into the perfect melodies of a masquerade ball of 19th century British high society are some of the keys to Bridgerton's overwhelming success. The third season is coming in May!
by Agnese Albertini of CinemaSerieTV.it for Filmamo