TV Series

Where to Watch: Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Prime

Date of Release: 2013

A fictional romance/drama TV series about the queen of Scotland Mary Stuart and her marriage to King Francis. I would recommend this show to teenagers who like drama shows or romances, as it is very entertaining with an easy to follow and interesting plot and detailed costumes and sets. It is not very historically accurate, and for this reason I would not recommend it to those who are most interested in the history of the time period because the inaccuracies can be distracting at times. I however found the inaccuracies to be a welcome addition to the tv show because almost every aspect of it is inaccurate. It seems very much like a fantasy show based on real historical figures, and it was a fun watch because it takes the viewers farther outside of reality. Because of this, this show has a significant appeal to young adults like myself, and I think is worth a watch. 

Where to Watch: Netflix

Date of Release: 2016

One of my favorite TV shows, this is a historical drama/romance about the Medici family during the late middle ages and early Italian Renaissance. The sets are beautiful and the costumes are detailed, and the plot is easy to follow. It is not only a political drama, but also has romance, mystery, and everything else a great show would have to offer. I would recommend to fans of The Tudors, and although this show is not entirely historically accurate, the time period is accurate and the plot is nonetheless entertaining. The costumes are beautiful, and the actors make it worth it to watch. There are also three seasons focusing on the Medici Dynasty, the second focusing on Lorenzo the Magnificent, Cosimo de Medici's son. Each season provides a cohesive plot that is quite captivating and intricate. What I enjoy most about this show is that it offers something for everyone: adults who are interested in the Renaissance time period, teenagers who enjoy romance/historical dramas, and even mystery fans. 

Where to Watch: Netflix

Date of Release: 2019

e TV series which focuses on various civilizations from before and during the early Middle Ages. My favorite episode is the Celts and I recommend this show to those who want a comprehensive look at many major civilizations leading up to the Middle Ages and partially during the early Middle Ages. This is a docu-series and has many dramatic reenactments that help engage the audience. The scenes are frequent enough that it engages the audience in a unique way but not so frequent that it becomes hard to follow and distracting. It is one of my favorite documentary series and has multiple episodes for those who are interested in the Ancient Roman civilization and Chinese civilizations. 

Where to Watch: Netflix

Date of Release: 2007

A show about Henry Tudor and his family. Fairly historically accurate, but the story is romanticized and exaggerated. I would recommend this to audiences who enjoy the TV show Versaille or Reign. It chronicles Henry VIII's reign and his many wives, with a historically accurate set and interesting costumes. The acting is fairly good, and the plot is easy to follow. 

Where to Watch: Netflix

Date of Release: 2015

This is a two seasons TV series, with each episode focusing around a different British castle and its history. This is one of my favorite docu-series of all time, and I think it is helpful that you don't have to watch the seasons or the episodes in order. 

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV

Date of Release: 2022

A show about Queen Elizabeth I and her family immediately following the death of Henry VIII. I thought the editing of this show was interesting, and the score was very different from other period dramas, although the subject matter is a little bit outside of my area of interest.