In the realm of television, the portrayal of American history is a delicate balance between entertainment and education. It's a challenge to capture the attention of audiences while also providing a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the past. The 10 series listed below are not just entertaining, but they also challenge and reshape our understanding of American history, from the Revolutionary War to 9/11. They demonstrate the potential of American history as a compelling small-screen subject, offering a fresh perspective on the past and its impact on the present and future.
- Band of Brothers (HBO)
This is a masterpiece of television, a collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. It's a war drama that follows the exploits of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from D-Day to the downfall of Nazi Germany. The series is not just a historical account but a deeply emotional and cinematic experience. It's a testament to the bravery of the soldiers and a clear-eyed understanding of the horrors of war. The collaboration between the real survivors of the company and the creators adds a layer of reverence to the subject matter, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in World War II.
- Roots (1977) (ABC)
Alex Haley's adaptation of his novel is a multi-generational epic that focuses on the life and legacy of Kunta Kinte, a West African boy abducted and sold into slavery in colonial Virginia. The series is unflinching in its depiction of the horrors of slavery but also evokes a sense of hopefulness. It's a powerful reminder that defiance in the face of injustice is never in vain, even if one knows nothing but injustice in their own lifetime. The impact of this series was such that ABC attempted to hide it by dump-programming all eight episodes in a single back-to-back run, but it became one of the most watched series in television history.
- John Adams (HBO)
Paul Giamatti delivers a career-best performance as one of the first men to define the archetype of the tortured genius. The series captures his journey from lawyer and Patriot to his troubled presidency and death, based on David McCullough's seminal biography. The collaboration between Giamatti, Laura Linney, and Tom Hooper showcases the cinematic flair and human drama that make this series one of the best American history series and one of the best in the entire historical subgenre.
- The Civil War (PBS)
Ken Burns' docuseries is a landmark in the history of television. It chronicles the entirety of America's bloodiest and most painful chapter, the Civil War. The series has had a significant stylistic impact on documentaries, popularizing techniques that have become widely imitated. However, its framing of the Civil War is questionable, as it lends too much credence to the view that the war was fought by patriotic rebels over states' rights rather than avowed anti-abolitionists.
- The Knick (Cinemax)
This medical drama is set in turn-of-the-century New York City, where the Knickerbocker Hospital serves as the setting for groundbreaking advances in surgery. The series is a period piece with a modern twist, exploring the personal and professional lives of the doctors and nurses. It's a brutal and vivid portrayal of how messy progress can be, both internally and externally. The show remains highly regarded despite its cancellation in 2017, and a spin-off has been in development since 2020.
- Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
This crime drama is set in the Prohibition era and stars Steve Buscemi as a fictionalized version of the gangster Nucky Johnson. The series explores the criminal underworld and the political landscape of the time, with Buscemi playing a man who believes he can keep each foot in a different world and still walk straight. The show's exploration of the period is a vehicle for unprecedented criminal exploitation and radical cultural and social progression.
- Godfather of Harlem (Epix)
This series provides a unique perspective on the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of a central villain, Bumpy Johnson, a legendary Harlem crime boss. The narrative framing of many Hollywood stories about the Civil Rights Movement emphasizes moral restraint, but this series asks viewers to witness the struggle for equality through the eyes of someone on the right side of history and the wrong side of the law. It's a refreshing take on the period, with a rich historical backdrop.
- Mrs. America (FX on Hulu)
This miniseries focuses on the legislative battle of the Equal Rights Amendment, with a surprising focus on the unexpected opponent, Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative activist who believes the ERA will bring about the end of traditional gender roles. The series explores a social movement in a way that other stories of this kind can't, with a cautionary tale of how social movements can be hijacked by opportunists from within.
- The Looming Tower (Hulu)
This series is about the lead-up to the September 11 attacks, examining the consequences of institutional dysfunction. It's a procedural drama that explores the back rooms of an interdepartmental feud between the FBI and the CIA, with Jeff Daniels portraying real-life FBI counterterrorism chief John O'Neill. The series allows the audience's familiarity with history to emphasize the gravity of each failure.
- Turn: Washington's Spies (AMC)
This series strips away the symbolism of the American Revolution to reveal how America's freedom was won in the long-casting shadows of espionage. Adapted from Alexander Rose's non-fiction book, it dramatizes the formation and activities of the Culper Ring, a Patriot spy network that collaborated with General George Washington. The series is a rare period thriller with genuine psychological complexity, with a strong performance by Owain Yeoman as Benedict Arnold.
