10 Best Historical Shows On Netflix
All The Light We Cannot See
Based on Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, All The Light We Cannot See is set during World War II and follows two teenagers whose lives intersect in occupied France. Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, flees Paris with her father carrying a legendary diamond, while Werner, a gifted German boy recruited by the Nazi regime, uses his radio expertise to track resistance signals.
The Crown
The Crown chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning with her unexpected accession to the throne in 1947. Across six seasons, the series traces Britain’s shifting political landscape and the monarchy’s evolving role in modern society. Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton each portray Elizabeth at different stages of her life. The drama delves into royal relationships, from Princess Margaret’s struggles to Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s turbulent marriage.
The Last Kingdom
The Last Kingdom unfolds during the Viking invasions of Anglo-Saxon England, a time when kingdoms are divided and survival depends on shifting alliances. The story follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman raised by Vikings, who finds himself torn between two cultures. As King Alfred of Wessex strives to unite England, Uhtred must choose where his loyalties truly lie.
Death By Lightning
Death By Lightning dramatizes the tumultuous presidency of James A. Garfield and his shocking assassination in 1881. The series examines Garfield’s rise from humble beginnings to the White House, as well as the political corruption and factional rivalries that defined post–Civil War America. At its center is the obsessive Charles Guiteau, whose delusions of grandeur lead to tragedy.
Call The Midwife
Call the Midwife transports viewers to London’s East End during the postwar baby boom, where a dedicated group of nurses and nuns serve their struggling community. Based on Jennifer Worth’s memoirs, the series follows the staff of Nonnatus House as they deliver babies, comfort families, and confront complex social issues. Across multiple seasons, the show highlights medical advancements, poverty, women’s rights, and changing cultural norms.
The Law According To Lidia Poët
Inspired by the true story of Italy’s first female lawyer, The Law According to Lidia Poët combines legal drama with sharp social commentary. When Lidia is disbarred due to a sexist ruling barring women from practicing law, she refuses to accept defeat. Determined to challenge injustice, she works alongside her brother and a supportive journalist to investigate crimes and expose corruption. Each case brings her closer to changing the system that silenced her.
Outlander
Outlander brings romance, adventure, and history through the extraordinary journey of Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who is mysteriously transported to 1743 Scotland. There, she meets the charismatic Highlander Jamie Fraser, and their passionate love story unfolds against the backdrop of Jacobite uprisings and political unrest. Based on Diana Gabaldon’s novels, the series moves across centuries and continents.
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders follows the rise of Tommy Shelby and his ambitious crime family in industrial Birmingham. Led by the calculating Shelby, the gang expands its operations through cunning strategy and ruthless power plays. The series captures the turbulence of postwar Britain, including political extremism, labor unrest, and economic transformation. While fictional in many respects, it is steeped in real historical tensions of the interwar period.
Bridgerton
Bridgerton reimagines Regency England with romance, scandal, and lavish spectacle. Inspired by Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels, the series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings as they navigate love, duty, and reputation in high society. Narrated by the mysterious Lady Whistledown, each season centers on a different sibling’s romantic journey. While the costumes and ballrooms dazzle, the show also explores rigid class hierarchies and social expectations.
Vikings: Valhalla
Set more than a thousand years ago, Vikings: Valhalla follows legendary Norse figures including Leif Erikson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir, and Harald Sigurdsson. As tensions between Vikings and the English crown escalate, internal religious divisions between pagan traditions and Christianity further threaten unity. The series spans epic journeys from Scandinavian strongholds to English battlefields, capturing exploration, conquest, and survival in a brutal age.
