8 Historical Shows to Watch If You Enjoyed Binge-Watching ‘The Crown’
Jan 19, 2021 • Ina Louise Manto
Kings, queens, and royal families – it isn’t just something we see in fairytales but in real life. The history of monarchies traces back to thousands of years; though many have vanished over the past centuries, there are still many countries ruled by monarchs, like England.
The Crown is inspired by true stories, which show the life of England’s longest monarch Queen Elizabeth from the 1940s, where she ascended the throne at 25, to modern times. If you still can’t get enough of the drama involved in both the romantic and political lives of monarchs, we’ve rounded up some similar shows you would enjoy:
Victoria
Inspired by true events, Victoria is set in 1837. At the young age of 18, Victoria assumes the throne as queen of England after the death of her father, King William IV. She then falls in love with Prince Albert, marries him, and continues her reign, which later becomes the second-longest monarchy in England.
Wolf Hall
You will find a familiar face in Wolf Hall as Claire Foy, the actress who played Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown’s first two seasons, is one of the show’s protagonists. The 6-part series is based on two novels by Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies.
Downton Abbey
While The Crown is inspired by true events, Downton Abbey is purely based on fiction. Set in the 1900s, it follows the life of the Crawley family, their servants, and the events leading to the days of the Queen’s visit to their home. The six-season show also has a movie of the same name released in 2019, starring Maggie Smith.
Catherine the Great
Following the life of Russia’s longest-ruling female leader, Catherine the Great shows the life of the Empress towards the end of her reign and her affair with Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military leader, which helped shape the country’s politics.
The Tudors
If you want to have an understanding of the history of the British monarchy, The Tudors is for you. The show follows the events in the early years of King Henry VIII’s reign and his relationships with important figures in history like Cardinal Wolsey and Sir Thomas More.
Reign
Reign is a fictional series following the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. At 15 years old, she moves to France and marries Prince Francis. Set in the 16th century, Mary must overcome the romantic and political trials the reign entails.
The Spanish Princess
Set in 16th century London, Princess of Spain, Catherine of Aragon, is promised marriage to English Prince Arthur. She moves to England and struggles to adapt to English customs; to make things worse, Prince Arthur meets a sudden death. Her future as the queen seems lost until she meets the next successor of the throne, Prince Harry. This series is based on true events.
The White Queen
The White Queen depicts the power and influence of women in history. Set in 1464 England, a civil war breaks between the House of Lancaster and the House of York, otherwise known as the War of Roses. Three different women fight their way to the throne, amidst the tumultuous war.
What are your favorite historical dramas? Share with us below!
