Tales of British royalty to loose adaptations of shocking real-life incidents all make for great television.

The 24 best TV shows based on a true story

Tales of British royalty to loose adaptations of shocking real-life incidents all make for great television.

By Robert English

and Kevin Jacobsen

April 27, 2026 11:57 a.m. ET

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Richard Gadd as himself in 'Baby Reindeer'; Michelle Williams as Molly Kochan in 'Dying for Sex'; Wagner Moura as Pablo Escobar on 'Narcos'. Credit:

Ed Miller/Netflix; Sarah Shatz/FX; Netflix

They say truth can be stranger than fiction — and it certainly has led to some great TV. Some well-publicized news stories are so rich with thematic resonance that they're practically begging to be adapted, like *The People v. O.J. Simpson* and *A Very English Scandal*. Others, like *Baby Reindeer* or *Dying for Sex*, come from lesser-known sources but are just as compelling.

The appeal of these shows based on true stories is that added layer of reality. While some series take more dramatic license than others, the knowledge that some of the events depicted really happened only enhances the stakes for the viewer.**

Ahead, we're taking a look at 24 of the best TV shows based on true stories — and where you can stream them.**

Alias Grace (2017)

Sarah Gadon as Grace Marks in 'Alias Grace'. Jan Thijs/Netflix

From the mind of author Margaret Atwood, *Alias Grace* dramatizes the grisly homicide of Thomas Kinnear and his lover, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843 Toronto. Sarah Polley (the Oscar-winning writer of *Women Talking*) wrote the six-part series for Netflix that's in the same vein as Atwood's most famous work, *The Handmaid's Tale*.

Our story follows Grace, one of the two murderers serving her time in prison, played by the "magnetically interesting" Sarah Gadon, who draws us in "without losing sight of her unreliability," says EW's critic.

While *The Handmaid's Tale* relies on a dystopian future to reflect current anxieties and social injustices, *Alias Grace* uses the past to enhance an "unflinching look at the horrors of being a woman." *—Robert English*

Where to watch *Alias Grace*: Netflix

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Richard Gadd as himself in 'Baby Reindeer'.

Ed Miller/Netflix

Unlike many of the entries on this list, viewers did not go into *Baby Reindeer* with preconceived expectations.

Comedian Richard Gadd created, wrote, and stars in this 7-part miniseries loosely based on his experiences with a disturbed customer he met while tending bar, who developed an intense fixation on him. Jessica Gunning costars as Martha, based on Gadd's real-life stalker. The series explores Gadd's tumultuous journey as he tries to evade Martha's obsessive behavior while also grappling with a past trauma.

Winner of six Emmys, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, *Baby Reindeer* is an absorbing character study that seamlessly blends dark comedy and psychological drama. —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *Baby Reindeer*: Netflix

Band of Brothers (2001)

The cast of 'Band of Brothers'. Everett Collection

Based on the book of the same name by Stephen E. Ambrose, *Band of Brothers* is a 10-episode miniseries about the "Easy Company," formally known as the E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States during World War II.

Coming off the success of *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks served as creators and executive producers of this finely crafted, moving tribute to the men who fought in the war.

*Band of Brothers* mixes intense realism in its documentary-style cinematography with empathetic characters (some of whom get their own personal episode), but it's the interviews with real-life members of Easy Company that remind viewers of the true sacrifice. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Band of Brothers*: HBO Max

Black Bird (2022)

Taron Egerton as Jimmy Keene in 'Black Bird'. Courtesy of Apple

This Apple TV miniseries adapts the fascinating true story of Jimmy Keene, an imprisoned man given the opportunity for parole in exchange for coaxing a confession out of a serial killer.

Dennis Lehane — heralded for such crime novels with adaptations of their own like *Mystic River*, *Shutter Island*, and *Gone, Baby, Gone *— used Keene's memoir, *In with the Devil, *to develop *Black Bird*, with Taron Egerton starring in the lead role. Paul Walter Hauser won an Emmy for his portrayal of Larry Hall, the serial killer accused of raping and killing 14 women. *—K.J.*

Where to watch *Black Bird*: Apple TV

Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014)

Michael Kenneth Williams as Albert 'Chalky' White on 'Boardwalk Empire'. Macall B. Polay/HBO

Based on Nelson Johnson's 2002 nonfiction book about crime lord Enoch L. Johnson, *Boardwalk Empire* was an HBO powerhouse of programming in the early 2010s from Terence Winter, a writer and executive producer of *The Sopranos*.

Drawing on Johnson's nearly 30 years of prominence as the crime boss controlling Atlantic City, Winter created the fictional character Nucky Thompson — played brilliantly by Steve Buscemi — to dramatize the events of the prohibition era in New Jersey.

The pilot was directed by Martin Scorsese, setting the tone and visual style for a series that would run for five critically-acclaimed seasons and draw millions of viewers. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Boardwalk Empire*: HBO Max

Chernobyl (2019)

Stellan Skarsgård as Boris Shcherbina and Jared Harris as Valery Legasov in 'Chernobyl'. Liam Daniel/HBO

Created by Craig Mazin (showrunner of *The Last of Us*), this HBO miniseries is a detailed depiction of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster in the Soviet Union.

The series delicately packs the crisis into five episodes, with the pilot being a tense recreation of the calamity itself, while the following four installments cover the fallout and investigation into the government's failure to respond.

Each moment is expertly (and uncomfortably) crafted to reflect the crumbling world. As EW's critic writes, "The dense realism of *Chernobyl* gives the show a freakish close-up terror." And a limited series feels like just the right amount of space to flesh out the incident succinctly, honing in on small moments to give the story the power it deserves — while garnering 10 Emmy wins along the way. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Chernobyl*: HBO Max

The Crown (2016–2023)

Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II on 'The Crown'. Alex Bailey/Netflix

One of the most talked-about shows in the past decade is *The Crown*, a multigenerational drama that spans the 20th century, leading up to and following Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Starting in 1947 at the wedding of the soon-to-be Queen (Claire Foy) to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Matt Smith), the Netflix series takes viewers into the world of royalty while sparing no visuals or details. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *The Crown*: Netflix

Dopesick (2021)

Michael Keaton as Dr. Samuel Finnix in 'Dopesick'. Antony Platt/Hulu

*Dopesick* tells the story of America's opioid crisis from many angles. Channeling real-life figures and composite characters, the miniseries' ensemble format "deftly corrals the vast addiction epidemic through intimate, deeply engrossing stories of human devastation," EW's critic writes.

From Richard Sackler and Purdue Pharma first pushing OxyContin in the late '90s to the doctors prescribing it and the feds seeking justice years later, *Dopesick*'s impact is "even more terrifying, because the monster at the heart of this story is real." *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Dopestick*: Hulu

Dying for Sex (2025)

Michelle Williams as Molly Kochan in 'Dying for Sex'.

This FX on Hulu miniseries proves that a cancer patient's story still has room for lightness.

Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2015, Molly Kochan decided to spend her last years pursuing one of life's pleasures. After leaving her husband, she embarked on a series of sexual encounters, as she documented with her best friend, Nikki Boyer, on the podcast *Dying for Sex*. Michelle Williams plays Kochan in the limited series adaptation, which deftly balances the realities of her illness with a fresh, lively sense of humor.

Williams delivers one of her most complex performances to date, particularly as the series comes to its inevitable conclusion. EW's critic praises *Dying for Sex* as "a heartbreaking (and at times, very horny) story about female friendship, self-actualization, and the realization that it’s never too late to heal." *—K.J.*

Where to watch *Dying for Sex*: Hulu**

Five Days at Memorial (2022)

Vera Farmiga as Dr. Anna Pou in 'Five Days at Memorial'.

Russ Martin/Apple TV

*Five Days at Memorial* presents hard-to-watch history in a way that helps us understand the mistakes of the not-so-distant past.

Based on Sheri Fink's book of the same name, *Five Days at Memorial* traces the fallout and fraught decision to euthanize patients at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, presenting "an agonizing, brutally vivid retelling of a natural disaster that begat a national disgrace," says EW's critic.

By recreating the onset of Katrina through archival footage and set pieces that remind us of the devastation, the eight-episode series is just as much of a historical document as it is a warning for a future ravaged by climate change. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Five Days at Memorial*: Apple TV

Generation Kill (2008)

Jon Huertas as Sgt. Tony ‘Poke’ Espera, Alexander Skarsgård as Sgt. Brad ‘Iceman’ Colbert, and Lee Tergesen as Evan "Scribe" Wright in 'Generation Kill'. Paul Schiraldi/HBO

American journalist Evan Wright was a reporter embedded with the U.S. Marines during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The following year, he published the book *Generation Kill* about his experiences with the 1st Reconnaissance Marines, and later adapted it into a show that captivated audiences in 2008.

The collaboration between Wright and writers David Simon and Ed Burns resulted in a gritty, layered depiction of war that goes beyond cliches and into a finely detailed historical document. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Generation Kill*: HBO Max

I Am the Night (2019)

India Eisley as Fauna Hodel and Chris Pine as Jay Singletary in 'I Am the Night'. Clay Enos/TNT

A disgraced journalist (Chris Pine) and a young girl (India Eisley) looking for her father team up in this six-episode series about L.A.'s most infamous cold case: the Black Dahlia murder.

Based on the memoir by Fauna Hodel, *I Am the Night* is a worthwhile entry into the true crime zeitgeist, anchored by the performances of Pine and Eisley as Fauna. The directors, who include Patty Jenkins (2017's *Wonder Woman*), handle the visual style of the show with a keen eye for the mid-century period, steeping the era in what EW's critic calls "magic-hour noir, shot on painterly film under sunlight as golden-glorious as Chris Pine's hair."

Impressive visuals and well-crafted characters help propel this murder mystery into new forays. *—R.E.*

*I Am the Night* is currently not available to stream.

The 31 best Netflix movies based on true stories streaming now

The 30 best true crime documentaries on Netflix

John Adams (2008)

Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Laura Linney as Abigail Adams in ‘John Adams’. Kent Eanes/HBO

Before there was *Hamilton*, there was *John Adams*.

Paul Giamatti stars as the titular president in this series about the first 50 years of the United States. Directed by Tom Hooper, *John Adams* is a well-produced dramatization of American history that comes alive thanks to its incredible cast of characters.

Joining Giamatti are Laura Linney as Abigail Adams, Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson, David Morse as George Washington, Tom Wilkinson as Benjamin Franklin, Rufus Sewell as Alexander Hamilton, Justin Theroux as John Hancock, Danny Huston as Samuel Adams, Sarah Polley as Abigail Adams Smith, and Tom Hollander as King George III. It's a wonderfully acted miniseries that dramatizes the past succinctly and creatively in the same vein as works like *Lincoln* (2012) and *Selma *(2014). *—R.E.*

Where to watch *John Adams*: HBO Max

Maid (2021)

Margaret Qualley as Alexandra ‘Alex’ Russell in 'Maid'.

Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix

Based on the memoir by Stephanie Land, *Maid* is an earnest limited series about Alex (Margaret Qualley), a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship and survives by cleaning houses.

Alex has to deal with her violent ex Sean (Nick Robinson), her bipolar mother (Qualley's real mom, Andie MacDowell), and government red tape that thwarts her attempts at financial assistance in this adaptation that reflects the book's harsh realities.

Qualley is the shining star of *Maid*, with EW declaring that her performance "hits each beat with an authenticity that will leave you thinking about the protagonist's plight long after the credits roll." *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Maid*: Netflix

Manhunt (2019–2021)

Martin Clunes as Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton on ‘Manhunt’. Everett Collection

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton (Martin Clunes) leads an investigation and subsequent race to track down a serial killer on *Manhunt*, based on the 2004 murder of French student Amélie Delagrange.

The acclaimed series broke viewership records when it premiered on ITV in Britain in 2019, garnering an international audience. Its brilliance comes from the way the showrunners expertly adapt Sutton's memoirs to retell the story without delving into clichés, instead relying on a tightly woven script and excellent acting to give proper space to this true crime program. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Manhunt*: Acorn TV

Mindhunter (2017–2019)

Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper and Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford on ‘Mindhunter’. Patrick Harbron/Netflix

Set in the '70s and '80s, *Mindhunter* follows two FBI agents (Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany) tasked with interviewing serial killers to solve open cases, pioneering the bureau's practice of criminal profiling and the Behavioral Science Unit.

In a media landscape where true-crime shows are often exploitative, *Mindhunter* stands out for its cerebral and focused atmosphere, curious nature, and historical significance. The series is at its best during the interviews, with Cameron Britton's being the standout (he earned an Emmy nomination for portraying notorious killer Ed Kemper).

Fans were disappointed when showrunner David Fincher said in 2020 that there would be no season 3 — but the first two installments are still absolutely worth your time. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Mindhunter*: Netflix

Mrs. America (2020)

Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly in 'Mrs. America'. Sabrina Lantos/FX

For a whole generation of Americans, the name "Phyllis Schlafly" is synonymous with the anti-feminist agenda. A conservative activist who openly campaigned against the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, Schlafly was a polarizing figure who took on a group of second-wave feminists and their campaign to ratify the amendment that would provide equal legal rights for men and women.

This struggle is at the heart of *Mrs. America*, a star-studded, riveting snapshot of 1970s America that follows various women involved on both sides of the issue. Cate Blanchett delivers a marvelously complex performance as Schlafly, alongside Rose Byrne as Gloria Steinem, Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm (who won an Emmy for her performance), and Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Mrs. America*: Hulu

Narcos (2015–2017)

Pedro Pascal as DEA agent Javier Peña on ‘Narcos’. Netflix

*Narcos* dramatizes the story of Pablo Escobar, the Colombian drug kingpin who made billions from the 1970s to the 1990s. Wagner Moura is brilliant as Escobar, and the main cast is rounded out by Pedro Pascal and Boyd Holbrook as a pair of DEA agents. Pascal, in particular, stands out as Javier Peña, serving as the glue that holds all three seasons together. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Narcos*: Netflix

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016)

David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian and Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson in ‘The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’. Prashant Gupta/FX

Winning nine Emmys and shocking audiences in spite of its well-known source material, the first season of *American Crime Story* focuses on the biggest pre-internet event of the 1990s: the trial of O.J. Simpson.

Over the course of 10 episodes, *The People v. O.J. Simpson* is a captivating retelling of the scandal that took the world by storm, providing intricate details and regurgitating conversations surrounding the case. Cuba Gooding Jr. has a career-best turn as Simpson in this impactful docudrama that showcases timely topics like celebrity, racism, media literacy, and corruption within the justice system. *—R.E.*

Where to watch* The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story*: Hulu

Unbelievable (2019)

Merritt Wever as Det. Karen Duvall and Toni Collette as Det. Grace Rasmussen in ‘Unbelievable’. Beth Dubber/Netflix

Told over the course of several years, *Unbelievable* is the story of Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), whose life is turned upside down when she is charged with lying about rape.

Years later, two detectives — the foul-mouthed, cynical Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and soft-spoken Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) — work to reveal the truth of her assault. Each actress is given the space to shine in this female-forward story that avoids cliches and delicately weaves a narrative with urgency.

The show was nominated for four Emmy awards, including Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Collette. As EW's critic writes, "watching *Unbelievable* is an extremely satisfying experience — not just for its storytelling, but for its depiction of women who confront their reality rather than succumbing to it." *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Unbelievable*: Netflix

Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)

Andrew Garfield as Det. Jeb Pyre in 'Under the Banner of Heaven'. Michelle Faye/FX

*Under the Banner of Heaven* stars Andrew Garfield as a devout Mormon detective investigating the murder of a Latter-day Saint mother and her baby daughter. The series owes much of its success to Garfield's dramatic performance and the 2003 source material, *Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith* by Jon Krakauer.

Creator Dustin Lance Black worked for 10 years to adapt Krakauer's story for the screen, a lengthy process that successfully honors rather than exploits the families affected. "I want people to be able to make comparisons between what the Laffertys were going through in Utah in the '80s and what so many people in the world are going through right now," Black told EW. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *Under the Banner of Heaven*: Hulu

A Very English Scandal (2018)

Hugh Grant as Jeremy Thorpe in ‘A Very English Scandal’.

Kieron McCarron/BBC/Blueprint Television Ltd.

This three-episode miniseries follows the trial of British Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant), who was charged with conspiracy to commit murder against his ex-lover (Ben Whishaw).

*A Very English Scandal* is, as the name suggests, very English, teetering between comedy and drama. What makes the series special beyond recounting Britain's "trial of the century" is its ability to go deeper with the source material, with hefty themes for modern audiences.* A Very English Scandal*, then, according to EW's critic, is "a moving examination of sexuality, identity, and repression, set against the struggle to decriminalize homosexuality in Great Britain." *—R.E.*

Where to watch *A Very English Scandal*: Amazon Prime Video

We Own This City (2022)

Jon Bernthal as Sgt. Wayne Jenkins in ‘We Own This City’. Paul Schiraldi/HBO

A miniseries that has flown under the radar since it premiered on HBO in April 2022, *We Own This City* is an unflinching, true-to-life drama about corrupt cops and a broken system.

Jon Bernthal stars as Sgt. Wayne Jenkins, a Baltimore police officer and member of the Gun Trace Task Force that was at the center of 2017's corruption charges. What makes this miniseries a rough "six fleet hours of simmering rage" is its well-written, non-chronological script that pulls no punches in its bleak depiction of reality.

It comes from *The Wire*'s David Simon and George Pelecanos, and is, according to EW's critic, "a blistering and brilliant cop show about the corrosion of American law enforcement and America itself." *—R.E.*

Where to watch *We Own This City*: HBO Max

When They See Us (2019)

Niecy Nash as Delores Wise and Jharrel Jerome as Korey Wise in ‘When They See Us’. Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix

Ava DuVernay directed this tough-to-watch but utterly essential dramatic series about the group of Black and Latino teens who were unjustly accused of the rape and assault of a white woman in Central Park in 1989, a.k.a. the Central Park Five.

Told over the course of four episodes, *When They See Us* takes viewers behind the scenes of the police pressure to find a suspect that led to real-life consequences for five innocent children. As time progresses and the boys turn into men whose lives are upended by a crime they didn't commit, the series draws on their experience to paint a detailed portrait of race, incarceration, and injustice.

Jharrel Jerome is outstanding as both young and adult Korey — and his speech during his trial was one of the most remarkable scenes to hit screens in 2019. *—R.E.*

Where to watch *When They See Us*: Netflix

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