Who doesn’t love a good dramatization that whisks you back in time to the Middle Ages? There have been some great ones over the last decade or so that I binge-watched and couldn’t get enough of. Some of them left me feeling a little lost after they finished, but that’s often how I feel when I read the last page of a good book, too.
Now, before you say anything, yes, I do realize that many of these shows take a lot of creative license. But, without some drama and theatricals, we probably wouldn’t watch. After all, that’s what documentaries are for: to tell us the real history rather than the fantasy version.
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Having said that, some of these do quite well in sticking to the historical facts, while others are complete and utter fiction. But hey ho, we still watch and we still love them. So, which shows made the list?
13 TV Series Set in the Middle Ages You’ll Want To Binge Watch
The Tudors
Plot:
This one follows the reign of Henry VIII, focusing mainly on his many wives, political struggles, and break from the Catholic Church. It’s more about the drama in court than battles in the field, but there’s plenty of scheming, executions, and scandal to go around. Most of the action happens behind closed doors: private chambers, backroom deals, betrayals over dinner, and a king who doesn’t take no for an answer.
Where to Watch:
You can stream it on Showtime, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video.
Release Year:
2007 to 2010, across four seasons.
Main Stars:
- Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII
- Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn
- Maria Doyle Kennedy as Catherine of Aragon
- Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon
Historical Accuracy:
Let’s be honest, this is not the version of Henry you’ll find in your high school history book. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays a lean, brooding king who doesn’t age, gain weight, or ever wear the famous codpiece. Many events are compressed or rearranged for dramatic effect, and some characters are written more for their impact than for their authenticity. That said, it still hits the major beats: the break with Rome, Anne Boleyn’s fall, and the turmoil around the royal succession. It’s not textbook, but it does give you a taste of just how messy and personal Tudor politics could get.
Our Verdict:
We’re giving this one 3 beheadings out of 5 on the “Medieval Mayhem Meter.”
It’s juicy, theatrical, and totally bingeable, even if it plays fast and loose with the facts. Watch it for the drama, then Google the real story if you want the truth.
The White Queen
Plot:
Set during the Wars of the Roses, this series tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, a Lancastrian widow who secretly marries the Yorkist king Edward IV. Cue the fallout. What follows is a tangled web of rival queens, ambitious in-laws, and shifting allegiances that sees the throne change hands more than once. The focus stays tightly on the women pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Where to Watch:
Available on Starz, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Release Year:
2013, one season.
Main Stars:
- Rebecca Ferguson as Elizabeth Woodville
- Max Irons as Edward IV
- Janet McTeer as Jacquetta Woodville
- Amanda Hale as Margaret Beaufort
Historical Accuracy:
It’s based on Philippa Gregory’s novel, which already adds a layer of dramatization. Some of the big moments did happen: Elizabeth did marry Edward in secret, her sons did disappear in the Tower, but how and why is more speculation than fact.
Margaret Beaufort is portrayed as more scheming than some historians would agree, and a bit of magical mysticism is thrown in for good measure. But for a series that puts medieval women front and center, it holds its own.
Our Verdict:
We’re giving this one 4 royal plots out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It’s juicy and filled with double-crosses, and if it occasionally leans into fiction, it still opens the door to one of the most chaotic chapters in English history.
The White Princess
Plot:
Picking up right where The White Queen leaves off, this one follows Elizabeth of York as she’s forced to marry Henry VII to unite the warring houses of York and Lancaster. She’s caught between loyalty to her mother and duty to her new husband, who doesn’t exactly trust her or anyone else, for that matter. It’s a slow burn filled with political unease, lingering trauma from war, and a young queen trying to survive a court that feels like it could turn on her at any moment.
Where to Watch:
Streaming on Starz, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Release Year:
2017, one season.
Main Stars:
- Jodie Comer as Elizabeth of York
- Jacob Collins-Levy as Henry VII
- Essie Davis as Elizabeth Woodville
- Suki Waterhouse as Cecily of York
Historical Accuracy:
It sticks to the broad strokes of history. Elizabeth really did marry Henry to end the Wars of the Roses, and their early marriage was likely a tense one. The show delves deeper into the psychological aspects of these characters than the textbooks do, which adds depth but also takes some creative liberties. Henry’s paranoia, Elizabeth’s isolation, and the shadow of the missing princes all make for good drama, even if we’ll never know exactly what went on behind those doors.
Our Verdict:
This one gets 4 suspicious glances out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It’s tense, moody, and more subtle than The White Queen, but it dives into a rarely explored chapter of English royal history with a lot of heart.
The Spanish Princess
Plot:
This one tells the story of Catherine of Aragon, beginning with her arrival in England to marry Prince Arthur. When he dies, she’s left in limbo, determined to fulfill her destiny and marry the future Henry VIII instead. The series follows her from hopeful young bride to politically savvy queen-in-waiting, as she navigates grief, alliances, court pressure, and the very real threat of being sent home in disgrace.
Where to Watch:
Streaming on Starz, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Release Year:
2019 to 2020, two seasons.
Main Stars:
- Charlotte Hope as Catherine of Aragon
- Ruairi O’Connor as Henry VIII
- Laura Carmichael as Margaret Pole
- Stephanie Levi-John as Lina de Cardonnes
Historical Accuracy:
The setup is mostly grounded in fact. Catherine did come to England to marry Arthur, and later fought to stay and marry Henry. However, many of the details become muddled. The show stretches the timeline and spices up relationships to keep the drama ticking along. There are also some clunky bits around the portrayal of race and religion that feel more 21st century than 16th. That said, it gives Catherine more agency than she’s often afforded, and that’s not a bad thing.
Our Verdict:
We’re giving this one 3 royal letters out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It’s dramatic and ambitious, with moments that hit hard, even if it doesn’t always line up with the history books.
Medici
Plot:
This series follows the powerful Medici family, starting with Cosimo de’ Medici as he takes over his father’s banking empire in 15th-century Florence. It’s filled with political tension, family secrets, and art commissions that helped shape the Renaissance. The later seasons shift focus to Lorenzo the Magnificent, as Florence becomes a powder keg of rival factions, papal pressure, and the rise of radical preachers like Savonarola.
Where to Watch:
Streaming on Netflix.
Release Year:
2016 to 2019, three seasons.
Main Stars:
- Richard Madden as Cosimo de’ Medici
Daniel Sharman as Lorenzo de’ Medici - Dustin Hoffman as Giovanni de’ Medici
- Sean Bean as Jacopo de’ Pazzi
Historical Accuracy:
The big events are real: the Pazzi conspiracy, the Medici’s influence over the Vatican, and their role in funding art and architecture across Florence. However, much of what happens behind the scenes is filled in with guesswork and drama. The show sometimes fast-forwards through important years and reimagines relationships for effect. Still, it captures the feel of the period and makes you realize just how much money and power drove everything from politics to popes.
Our Verdict:
This one scores 4 poisoned goblets out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It’s slick, moody, and full of tension. History purists might groan at a few scenes, but it does a good job of bringing the Renaissance power games to life.
Wolf Hall
Plot:
This one follows Thomas Cromwell’s rise from blacksmith’s son to Henry VIII’s most powerful advisor. Based on Hilary Mantel’s novels, it’s a slow burn that digs into politics, ambition, and survival at court. The story of Wolf Hall unfolds through Cromwell’s eyes as he maneuvers around nobles, churchmen, and a volatile king, never sure who’ll fall next.
Where to Watch:
Available on PBS Masterpiece, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.
Release Year:
Season 1 premiered in 2015. Season 2, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, aired in the UK starting November 10, 2024, and began airing in the US on PBS in March 2025
Main Stars:
- Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell
- Damian Lewis as Henry VIII
- Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn
- Anton Lesser as Thomas More
Historical Accuracy:
This is one of the more careful portrayals out there. It doesn’t try to glamorize or overdramatize. Instead, it leans into the cold calculations and moral grey areas that defined Tudor politics. It’s also one of the few shows that puts Cromwell at the center, not just as Henry’s fixer but as a man who’s always watching, always thinking. The pacing is slow, but the storytelling is razor sharp.
Our Verdict:
We’re giving this one 5 silent stares out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It’s not flashy, but it’s clever, layered, and deeply grounded in the historical record. If you like your medieval drama more psychological than bloody, this one’s for you.
The Winter King
Plot:
This is an Arthurian legend reimagined through the lens of Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles. It drops the magic and prophecy and gives us a grittier version of King Arthur’s rise in a fractured, war-torn Britain. Arthur is a bastard outcast trying to unite warring tribes while Saxons press in and rival kings scheme to take it all. Merlin’s there, but not with a wand; he’s a political operator with a sharp tongue and a hidden agenda.
Where to Watch:
Streaming on MGM+ and available to buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Release Year:
2023, one season so far.
Main Stars:
- Iain De Caestecker as Arthur
- Eddie Marsan as Uther Pendragon
- Nathaniel Martello-White as Merlin
- Ellie James as Nimue
Historical Accuracy:
This one plays in the space between legend and what might have happened. It cuts out the sorcery and knights in shining armor and tries to imagine what a real Arthur figure could have looked like in 5th-century Britain. It’s messy, pagan, and political. That said, it’s still a story based on a legend, so while it leans into realism, the source is still fiction at its core.
Our Verdict:
We’re giving it 4 rusted swords out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It’s moody, raw, and feels like something that could’ve happened, even if we’ll never know for sure.
The Last Kingdom
Plot
The show follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, born a Saxon but raised by Danes after a Viking raid. His loyalties flip between kingdoms as he fights under King Alfred of Wessex, trying to reclaim his ancestral home. Along the way, he’s in the thick of real battles, political scheming, and efforts to unite England.
Where to Watch
In the US, you can stream all five seasons plus the sequel movie Seven Kings Must Die on Netflix.
Release Years
First aired in 2015 on BBC Two, then ran for five seasons until March 2022 on Netflix. The follow-up film came out in April 2023
Main Stars
- Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred
- David Dawson as King Alfred
- Emily Cox as Brida
- Ian Hart as Father Beocca
- Millie Brady as Aethelflaed (from season 2)
Historical Accuracy
It uses real events and figures like Alfred’s goal to unify England, Viking settlements, and the Siege of Wessex. The fictional Uhtred adds drama, but his story fits right into the historical context. Some costumes and minor details get a pass from hardcore history buffs, but most agree it’s among the more accurate medieval dramas out there
Our Verdict
We’re rating this one 5 shield clashes out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It balances gritty realism, layered characters, and authentic history in a way that keeps you hooked, episode after episode.
Knightfall
Plot
This series follows Landry du Lauzon, a fictional Templar commander obsessed with the search for the Holy Grail after the fall of Acre. You’ll find court politics, betrayals, and battle sequences as the Templars face off against King Philip’s schemes.
Things spiral quickly from crusader business to royal chaos as Landry ends up having a secret affair with Queen Joan of France, King Philip’s wife. When she ends up pregnant with Landry’s child, it sets off a chain of events that’s pure fiction but full of tension, betrayal, and some truly wild twists. By the end, we’ve got murders, royal rage, and a lot of soul-searching behind those Templar helmets.
Where to Watch
You can stream both seasons on History Channel platforms, Fawesome (free with ads), and often on Netflix in select regions. It’s also available to buy on services like Fandango and Amazon.
Release Years
Season 1 premiered on December 6, 2017, and Season 2 dropped on March 25, 2019
Main Stars
- Tom Cullen as Landry du Lauzon
- Jim Carter as Pope Boniface VIII
- Pádraic Delaney as Gawain
- Simon Merrells as Tancrède
- Mark Hamill joins Season 2 as Master Talus
Historical Accuracy
This one blends fact and fiction. The Templars were wealthy, political, and eventually crushed by King Philip’s machinations, true. But the Grail hunt is fictional, timelines are squashed, and romantic subplots get dramatic license. However, Landry himself is a fictional character, and the entire storyline involving an affair with Queen Joan and her subsequent pregnancy is entirely fictional. In reality, Queen Joan died under very different circumstances, and there’s no historical suggestion of a Templar love triangle. The show takes some real events, like the downfall of the Templars, and layers in fantasy to keep the drama moving.
Our Verdict
We’re awarding it 3.5 crossbow bolts out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter
Sword fights and palace betrayals hit hard. The show has flair even if the history is splintered. This one’s more TV spectacle than documentary truth.
Pillars of the Earth
Plot
Set in 12th-century England during the chaos of The Anarchy, this series follows the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. It’s based on the bestselling novel by Ken Follett, and the story brings together a determined mason, a reform-minded monk, a resourceful noblewoman, and a few deeply corrupt churchmen. The cathedral is the center, but the real story is the power plays, betrayals, and raw survival instincts of the people building it, or trying to stop it.
The book was absolutely superb, although very long. Ken Follett’s research and attention to detail are insanely good, and it’s the first in a series of books about the fictional town of Kingsbridge.
Where to Watch
Streaming on Starz, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
Release Year
2010, one season.
Main Stars
- Eddie Redmayne as Jack
- Hayley Atwell as Aliena
- Matthew Macfadyen as Prior Philip
- Ian McShane as Waleran Bigod
- Rufus Sewell as Tom Builder
Historical Accuracy
The political backdrop is real. The Anarchy was a bloody civil war between Empress Matilda and King Stephen that ravaged England. The series gets the atmosphere right: lawless roads, famine, power-hungry nobles, and a church that doesn’t always practice what it preaches. While the characters are fictional, they reflect the kinds of people who really would’ve lived through this. It’s a rare show that captures just how hard life could be, even when you weren’t on the battlefield.
Our Verdict
We’re giving it 5 cracked stones out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It’s heavy, dark, and doesn’t flinch. No magic, no gloss, just people trying to build something meaningful in a world that keeps falling apart.
The Bastard Executioner
Plot
Set in 14th-century Wales, this series follows a former knight who’s left battle behind and just wants a quiet life. But, of course, peace doesn’t last long. After tragedy strikes his village, he takes on the identity of an executioner—a brutal job that keeps dragging him back into the violence he was trying to escape. Expect blood, betrayal, and a fair bit of brooding.
Where to Watch
Available to stream or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major platforms.
Release Year
2015, one season.
Main Stars
- Lee Jones as Wilkin Brattle
- Katey Sagal as Annora of the Alders
- Stephen Moyer as Milus Corbett
- Darren Evans as Ash y Goedwig
Historical Accuracy
This one’s pure fiction. It attempts to portray the era in all its gritty, gruesome detail, but the characters and events are fictional. The execution scenes are graphic, the costumes look right enough, and it doesn’t shy away from how grim the work of justice really was.
However, the storyline leans more toward dark fantasy than anything rooted in historical fact. Still, it has a certain rawness that suits the time period, even if it never quite found its footing.
Our Verdict
We’re giving it 2 flaming cartwheels out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
It had potential, but the story wandered and never quite landed. Worth a watch if you’re curious, but it’s not one you’ll miss if you skip it.
King and Conqueror
Plot
This brand new series dives into the epic clash between Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, and William of Normandy, the ambitious duke who would become William the Conqueror. The story leads up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and explores the lives, beliefs, and personal grudges of two men fighting for the same crown. It’s not just about the battle itself; it’s about the years of tension and power struggles that made it inevitable.
Where to Watch
Coming to BBC One in the UK and expected to stream on platforms like PBS or Amazon Prime Video in the US after its initial run.
Release Year
Premiering in late 2025.
Main Stars
- James Norton as Harold Godwinson
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William of Normandy
Historical Accuracy
This one sets out to tell the story through both sides, not just through English eyes, but also from William’s perspective in Normandy. The lead-up to Hastings is one of the most heavily studied events in medieval English history, so the stakes for accuracy are high. Early reviews suggest it leans into character and context rather than fantasy or myth. That said, it’s still a dramatization, so we’ll likely see some creative liberties to fill in the gaps where history falls silent.
Our Verdict
Too soon to rate it properly, but early signs point to a strong 4 contested crowns out of 5 on the Medieval Mayhem Meter.
Kylie Lang is a nationally syndicated travel journalist with bylines on the Associated Press Wire & more, a medieval history writer, and the founder and lead author of Tales of the Middle Ages (talesofthemiddleages.com). She holds a BA (Honours) in History from the University of Kent and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers.
