Originally by Ranker TVList RulesVote up the best true historical dramas. No fantasy series that feature overly imaginative elements like space travel or dragons.
Learn about real-world history while you binge watch the best historical drama shows on television. Some of the greatest TV dramas feature realistic settings from history and characters who actually existed. This list of the greatest historical drama shows is ranked best to worst, and it also includes information about the cast. Popular historical drama TV shows have been a staple of television for years, so there's often debate about what the most entertaining historical drama show of all time is.
Including Rome and Vikings, the list of good historical series features period dramas and medieval epics. These shows usually have colorful costumes, beautiful set pieces, and even ancient languages. They can be set at the turn of the 20th century or at the end of it.
This list answers the questions, "What is the best historical drama show of all time?" and "What are the greatest historical drama shows?" Want a little between-wars England with your Downton Abbey? Some Henry VIII with your The Tudors? Don't let your favorite historical drama television programs in history get to the bottom of the list - be sure to vote them up so they have the chance to reach the top spot. The list of historical drama television shows below includes information like the program's cast and premiere date when available and also include some of the best historical dramas of the decade.
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3,2741,231Vikings
Travis Fimmel, Katheryn WinnickPremiered: 2013
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2,357639The Last Kingdom
Alexander Dreymon, David DawsonPremiered: 2015
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1,899571The Crown
Claire Foy, Matt SmithPremiered: 2016
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1,626442Peaky Blinders
Cillian Murphy, Helen McCroryPremiered: 2013
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2,602971Outlander
Caitriona Balfe, Sam HeughanPremiered: 2014
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1,831663Band of Brothers
Scott Grimes, Damian LewisPremiered: 2001
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2,445982Downton Abbey
Hugh Bonneville, Phyllis LoganPremiered: 2010
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2,029875Rome
Kevin McKidd, Ray StevensonPremiered: 2005
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1,486510Poldark
Aidan TurnerPremiered: 2015
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2,3441,021The Tudors
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry CavillPremiered: 2007
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1,124418Black Sails
Jessica Parker Kennedy, Toby StephensPremiered: 2014
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1,080373Medici: Masters of Florence
Dustin Hoffman, Richard MaddenPremiered: 2016
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1,466628The White Queen
Rebecca Ferguson, Amanda HalePremiered: 2013
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768329Call The Midwife
Jessica Raine, Miranda HartPremiered: 2012
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1,229514Versailles
George Blagden, Alexander VlahosPremiered: 2015
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1,016549Pride and Prejudice
Colin Firth, Lucy DavisPremiered: 1995
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69181Victoria
Jenna Coleman, Tom HughesPremiered: 2016
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1,303764Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Eric McIntire, Daniel SpinkPremiered: 2010
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669283Turn
Jamie Bell, Angus MacfadyenPremiered: 2014
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52786Poldark
Aidan Turner, Eleanor TomlinsonPremiered: 2015
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44363The White Princess
Jodie Comer, Rebecca BensonPremiered: 2017
22
33199The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Rachel Brosnahan, Michael ZegenPremiered: 2017
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26586The Americans
Keri Russell, Matthew RhysPremiered: 2013
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819457John Adams
Paul Giamatti, Laura LinneyPremiered: 2008
25
1,372837The Borgias
Jeremy Irons, François ArnaudPremiered: 2011
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