In the realm of television, the exploration of American history is a delicate balance between entertainment and education. It's a challenge to captivate audiences without resorting to simplistic narratives or sanitizing the past. The 10 best TV shows about American history, as ranked by TVLine, offer a compelling glimpse into this delicate dance, showcasing how storytelling can both entertain and enlighten. These series don't just retell history; they challenge and reshape our understanding of it, using the past to shed light on the present and the future.
One standout is 'Turn: Washington's Spies,' which strips away the star-spangled heroism to reveal the espionage and intrigue that shaped the American Revolution. The series, adapted from Alexander Rose's book, presents a nuanced portrayal of the Culper Ring, a Patriot spy network, and their collaboration with General George Washington. Jamie Bell's Abraham Woodhull, a vulnerable man used recklessly for a greater cause, elevates the series beyond historical escapism, offering a rare period thriller with psychological complexity. This show demonstrates how America's past can be used to change how we understand its present and potential future.
'The Looming Tower' takes a different approach, focusing on the lead-up to the September 11 attacks. Instead of a story about conspiracies or destruction, it's about the consequences of institutional dysfunction. The series examines the bureaucratic tension between the FBI and the CIA, highlighting the missed opportunities and petty professional grievances that played out in the back rooms. Jeff Daniels portrays John O'Neill, who believed the country was vulnerable to an imminent attack, and his recruitment of Ali Soufan (Tahar Rahim) adds a layer of complexity. The show's strength lies in its ability to explore procedural aspects without gross overdramatization, allowing the audience's familiarity with history to emphasize the gravity of each failure.
'Mrs. America' takes a bold step by focusing on the Equal Rights Amendment and its unexpected opponent, Phyllis Schlafly. Created by Dahvi Waller, the series explores a social movement through the eyes of a conservative activist who believes the ERA will bring about the end of traditional gender roles. Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Schlafly, a figure in American political history, adds depth to the narrative. The show challenges the notion that social movements are always driven by progressive forces, instead highlighting how they can be hijacked by opportunists from within.
'Godfather of Harlem' offers a unique perspective on the Civil Rights Movement by exploring it through the eyes of a central villain, Bumpy Johnson, a legendary Harlem crime boss. Set in the 1960s, the series follows Johnson's attempts to reclaim his place in Harlem after a lengthy term at Alcatraz. While he clashes with Italian bosses, Johnson's path intersects with historical figures like James Baldwin, Muhammad Ali, and Malcolm X. The show is historically revelatory, but with the same unpredictable sense of danger and tragedy as crime thrillers.
'Boardwalk Empire' is another crime drama that stands out for its exploration of the Prohibition era. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Nucky Johnson, a fictionalized version of a real-life gangster. The show fully immerses itself in the era, exploring the criminal exploitation and cultural and social progression of the time. 'Boardwalk Empire' is widely considered one of the greatest gangster TV series of all time, with its fingerprints visible on period crime series.
'The Knick' is a medical procedural set in turn-of-the-century New York City, where the eponymous Knickerbocker Hospital serves as the setting for groundbreaking advances in surgery. Clive Owen's Dr. John Thackery, inspired by William Stewart Halsted, adds a layer of personal dysfunction and professional brashness to the series. The show paints a vivid picture of how messy progress can be, both internally and externally, and remains highly regarded despite its cancellation.
'The Civil War' is a PBS docuseries that aimed to chronicle the entirety of America's bloodiest and most painful chapter. While it's one of the most influential pieces of entertainment ever produced, its framing of the Civil War is genuinely questionable. The series offers humanity to both sides of the conflict, unnecessarily at the expense of historical and moral clarity. The legacy of the series is complicated, but its stylistic impact on documentaries cannot be overstated.
'John Adams' is a miniseries that showcases the talent of its star, Paul Giamatti, who portrays the founding father across decades. Based on David McCullough's biography, the series is one of the best American history series and one of the best in the historical subgenre. It's so confident in the audience's familiarity with Adams that it emphasizes human drama, with Giamatti and Laura Linney delivering lively and arresting performances.
'Roots (1977)' is a miniseries that made history by recounting the story of Kunta Kinte, a West African boy abducted and sold to a plantation-owner in colonial Virginia. The series depicts the horrors and defiant hope of enslaved Africans, evoking an unexpected kind of hopefulness that defiance in the face of injustice is never in vain. ABC attempted to hide the series, but it became one of the most watched in television history.
Finally, 'Band of Brothers' is a miniseries that stands out even in the impressive catalog of HBO programming. Co-created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the series follows the exploits of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and balances reverence for the subject matter with a clear-eyed understanding of the horrors of war. It's the rare war drama that depicts the incredible bravery of World War II without underselling the consequences of victory.
