Television has the power to transport us to different worlds, whether through the lens of fiction or the recounting of real-life events. Shows inspired by real events offer a unique blend of entertainment and education, allowing viewers to gain insight into historical, political, and cultural moments while being captivated by compelling storytelling. These shows not only entertain but also provoke thought, spark discussions, and sometimes even inspire change. In this article, we explore the top 10 TV shows inspired by real events, ranked based on reviews and ratings, that have left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.
Top 10 TV Shows Inspired by Real Events
Chernobyl (2019) – IMDb Rating: 9.4/10
“Chernobyl” is a historical drama miniseries that premiered in 2019. Created and written by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck, the series was produced by HBO in the United States and Sky UK in the United Kingdom. It explores the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine, and the subsequent cleanup efforts, as well as the wide-reaching social, economic, and political fallout.
The series is noted for its historical accuracy, intense narrative, and careful attention to the details of the events it portrays. It dramatizes the sequence of events leading up to the disaster as well as the response of plant workers, firefighters, and Soviet officials. “Chernobyl” delves deeply into the personal tragedies of those involved and the immense courage displayed by countless individuals who risked their lives to mitigate the disaster’s impact.
The portrayal of the disaster’s aftermath, which includes the evacuation of the residents of Pripyat and the establishment of the Exclusion Zone, is particularly poignant. The series also highlights the investigation into the cause of the explosion and the subsequent trial of those deemed responsible.
“Chernobyl” received widespread critical acclaim for its storytelling, direction, and performances, particularly those of Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson. It won numerous awards, including 10 Primetime Emmy Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards.
Mindhunter (2017-2019) – IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
“Mindhunter” is a psychological crime thriller television series that aired from 2017 to 2019. Created by Joe Penhall and produced by David Fincher and Charlize Theron, the series is based on the true-crime book “Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit” by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. The show delves into the early days of criminal psychology and criminal profiling at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
It follows FBI agents Holden Ford (played by Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (played by Holt McCallany), along with psychologist Wendy Carr (played by Anna Torv), as they develop innovative investigative techniques to understand and capture serial killers. The agents work in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, where they interview imprisoned serial killers to understand their mindset and apply their findings to ongoing cases.
The Crown (2016-Present) – IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
“The Crown” is a critically acclaimed historical drama television series that premiered on Netflix in 2016. Created by Peter Morgan, the series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, offering an intimate look at the British monarchy and its interactions with the wider political and social landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The story of the show begins in the late 1940s, depicting the early years of Elizabeth’s marriage to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and her ascension to the throne following the death of her father, King George VI. Each season covers roughly a decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, portraying major historical events and personal moments that have shaped her time on the throne.
Narcos (2015-2017) – IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
“Narcos” is a gripping crime drama television series. Created by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro, the series provides a detailed and intense portrayal of the rise and fall of the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel, along with the subsequent hunt for other notorious drug traffickers.
The plot is set in Colombia during the 1970s and 1980s, a time when the drug trade was rapidly expanding. The series primarily focuses on Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura), chronicling his journey from a small-time smuggler to one of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful criminals. The show also highlights the efforts of law enforcement, particularly the DEA agents Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook) and Javier Peña (Pedro Pascal), who are determined to bring Escobar to justice.
Band of Brothers (2001) – IMDb Rating: 9.4/10
“Band of Brothers” is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by historian Stephen E. Ambrose, the series was created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. It follows the story of Easy Company, a unit of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from their initial training through major battles in World War II.
“Band of Brothers” chronicles the experiences of the men of Easy Company from their jump training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, through their participation in significant World War II battles, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of Bastogne, and the capture of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest at Berchtesgaden. The series concludes with the end of the war and the soldiers’ return home.
The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016) – IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
“The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” is a true crime anthology television series that premiered in 2016. It is the first season of the “American Crime Story” franchise, created by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski and produced by Ryan Murphy. The series dramatizes the infamous O.J. Simpson murder trial, offering a detailed and nuanced portrayal of the legal proceedings, media frenzy, and social implications surrounding the case.
The series is based on the book “The Run of His Life: The People v. O. J. Simpson” by Jeffrey Toobin. It covers the events leading up to and during the trial of O.J. Simpson, a former NFL player and actor accused of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in 1994. The show explores the legal strategies, personal dynamics, and public perception that made the trial a pivotal moment in American history.
When They See Us (2019) – IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
“When They See Us” is a powerful drama miniseries that premiered on Netflix in 2019. Created, co-written, and directed by Ava DuVernay, the series is based on the true story of the Central Park Five, a group of Black and Latino teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of the brutal assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park, New York City, in 1989. The series offers a harrowing and deeply emotional exploration of the injustices faced by the young men and their families.
The story is told in four parts, each focusing on different stages of the ordeal experienced by the Central Park Five—Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise. The series begins with their initial arrest and coercive police interrogations, follows their trials and wrongful convictions, and concludes with their lives post-incarceration and eventual exoneration in 2002, when the real perpetrator confessed to the crime.
Unbelievable (2019) – IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
“Unbelievable” is based on the 2015 ProPublica and The Marshall Project article, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape,” written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, the series is a true story adaptation that explores the real-life investigation into a series of rapes in Washington and Colorado. The narrative is deeply involved with themes of trauma, justice, and the failures of the criminal justice system to support survivors of sexual assault.
The series follows two parallel storylines. The first centers around Marie Adler (played by Kaitlyn Dever), an 18-year-old Washington state woman who reports being raped by an intruder in her home, only to be met with skepticism and accusations of lying by the police and the people close to her. The second storyline focuses on two detectives, Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever), who are investigating a series of brutal rapes in Colorado. Their paths converge as they realize their cases are linked by the same perpetrator, leading to a multi-state hunt to capture the serial rapist.
The Act (2019) – IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
“The Act” is a gripping true crime drama miniseries that premiered on Hulu in 2019. Created by Nick Antosca and Michelle Dean, the series is based on the real-life story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. The series explores themes of abuse, manipulation, and the desperate lengths one can go to in seeking freedom from a toxic environment.
“The Act” delves into the complex and disturbing relationship between Gypsy Rose Blanchard (played by Joey King) and her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard (Patricia Arquette). Dee Dee subjects Gypsy to years of medical abuse, fabricating illnesses and disabilities as part of a long-term Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Gypsy, who is physically healthy, is forced to undergo unnecessary medical treatments and is kept isolated and dependent on her mother. As Gypsy grows older, she begins to uncover the truth about her condition and her mother’s deceit, leading to her involvement in Dee Dee’s murder as a means of escape.
Deadwood (2004-2006) – IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
“Deadwood” aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006. Created by David Milch, the series is set in the 1870s in Deadwood, South Dakota, before and after the area’s annexation by the Dakota Territory. The show intricately weaves historical and fictional elements, focusing on the transformation of Deadwood from a lawless gold-mining camp to a somewhat civilized town.
“Deadwood” chronicles the lives of its diverse and morally complex characters, many of whom are based on real historical figures. The series begins with the arrival of Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), a former marshal from Montana, who partners with Sol Star (John Hawkes) to open a hardware store. They quickly cross paths with the powerful and ruthless saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), who rules the camp with an iron fist.
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