Historical TV Shows on Netflix

Mar 23

Last year’s summer was all about Bridgerton, but now we’re turning it up a notch; murder, scandal, and threats to the crown are all on this year’s agenda. If you’re looking to embrace the intrigue, check out these four insanely captivating TV shows on Netflix (warning: I binged Borgias in two days).

Reign

Centered on Mary, Queen of Scots, and her planned marriage to Francis of France in order to create an alliance between the two nations, Reign is filled of drama, treason, and a decedent amount of murder. The show is not historically accurate, but is most definitely entertaining for the everyday viewer.

It’s immensely popular, has a great cast, and is fairly simple to follow - the perfect show for someone just beginning a deep dive into historical television.

Versailles

The Sun King in all his glory - Louis, alongside his brother and council, moves the center of French government from Paris to Versailles. The show switches its focus from the lives of the royals to that of the nobility and even those working against the crown.

The show is pretty accurate in terms of timeline, but does take several background characters and push them into the light with amazing backstories to keep the show enthralling. On top of this, the scenery and costume design is absolutely magnificent.

Definitely made for a mature audience, the show has many PG-13+ scenes, so viewer discretion is advised.

Medici the Magnificent

Probably my favorite show to date, Medici the Magnificent, or just Medici is a beautiful show about the life of Lorenzo de’Medici and his quest to create a cultural Florence. This is definitely a show for history buffs, as Renaissance characters of all kinds make their historically-accurate appearances. Botticelli, for example, acts as a central character in the show - and we even meet da Vinci!

I truly cannot recommend this show enough. It’s perfect for any level and beautifully produced.

The Borgias

Once again, a personal favorite, The Borgias is a show for anyone who wants action. If bribery, simony, intimidation, borderline-incest, and murder sound interesting to you - this is your show.

Definitely on the mature side - it is incredibly interesting and perfect for a history lover.

Liza Price

Director of Operations and Social Media Manager means Liza has a lot of hats to wear. She is responsible for making sure The Reel runs smoothly, and is constantly working on growth. She has had an abundance of experience in the marketing world, having managed several business accounts under Undeniable Media and cofounding a subscription-based social media marketing service. She is passionate about giving local teens real-time experience in the marketing and content creation worlds, and enjoys running her interns greatly. Her goal is to help as many teens improve and hone their skills as possible. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, and is all about learning.