The 25 Best Medieval TV Shows, Ranked

There has been a rise in programs centered on the Middle Ages – or at least influenced by the culture and events during this significant era, and this has resulted in some of the best medieval TV shows on the small screen. There’s more to these TV and streaming shows than knights in shining armor on horseback or kings and queens fighting rebellious commoners or Vikings. These shows bring a piece of history to the small screen with all the drama and action a viewer could want. to enjoy the season and learn more about the past.

It’s not surprising that viewers are intrigued by such efforts, whether they’re based on fantasy, historical fiction, or an accurate portrayal of real events. After all, this turbulent, dark, and often violent period in human history makes for some exciting scenarios and engaging narratives. Game of Thrones brought a true fantasy effort to the masses, but others have proven to be memorable because they are based in reality. The good news is that there is a wide selection of options for those looking for the best medieval TV showswhether it’s the tone, the battle sequences or the attractive protagonists.

25

The Borgias (2011-2013)

The rise of a ruthless papal dynasty

The great thing about the best medieval TV shows is that they cover a wealth of history that goes far beyond the traditional stereotypes of knights, monarchs and the struggles of feudal life. One of the best examples of a TV show set in the Middle Ages that covers part of the era little explored on screen is the 2011-2013 Showtimes series. The Borgias. Set in Italy during the late 1400s, The Borgias documents the rise of Rodrigo Borgia to the position of Pope – although how the eventual Pope Alexander VI gained the position was a far more violent and bloody affair than the travels of modern pontiffs.

Starring Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia alongside the likes of François Arnaud Holliday Grainger and a wide cast The Borgias is similar to Game of Thrones when it comes to the levels of treacherous intrigue and bloody violence. In fact, it doesn’t contain the epic battle scenes that are the basis of many medieval TV shows, but when it comes to gripping character-driven drama, few can match it.

24

Shogun (2024)

Hulu’s dive into medieval Japan

Most medieval TV shows have a Western perspective and are set in Europe during the Middle Ages, although among the best of the genre are many that focus on other regions of the world. One of the best and most recent in this regard is Hulu Shogun, which arrived in 2024. Based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell, Shogun is a semi-fictional retelling of the rise of the Shogunate in 16th century feudal Japan.

Shogun has been praised for both its historical accuracy and its unwavering commitment to brutal, moving drama. The story is also fascinating, as it delves into the relationship Japan had with European powers during the late medieval era. The show is currently available on Hulu and remains one of the best medieval TV shows to come out in the 2020s so far.

23

Da Vinci’s Demons (2013-2015)

The struggles of the greatest genius of the medieval period

Da Vinci’s Demons ran on the Starz network between 2013 and 2015 and remains one of the best medieval TV shows, especially among those who (as well as Shogun and The Borgias) have something to offer viewers outside of the traditional tropes of knights and battles. As the title suggests, Da Vinci’s Demons focuses on the life of Leonardo Da Vinci, the famous inventor and painter who lived between 1452 and 1519. The story is a fictional retelling of Da Vinci’s childhood and is not as historically accurate as many other medieval TV shows, but that doesn’t it happens. be incredibly exciting.

While the show may focus on a renowned artist Da Vinci’s Demons is exuding violence and intrigue in every episode. The show finds Da Vinci involved in struggles to control the city of Florence, a dangerous cult and a spy hunt among its many plots. It is truly unique among the best medieval TV shows, and as The Borgias bears a striking resemblance to Game of Thrones when it comes to your overall tone.

22

Black Adder (1983-1989)

Rowan Atkinson’s take on British history

While most of the best medieval TV shows are dark and gritty dramas, that’s not always the case. When it comes to comedies set in the medieval era, few can match the classic British comedy Black Adder. Starring Rowan Atkinson, best known for playing Mr. Feijão, each season of Black Adder takes place during a different period of British history, with most of the cast members portraying multiple generations of the same families.

It’s just the first two seasons of Black Adder that take place during the medieval era. Season 1 is set in 1485, and Season 2 takes place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (who occupied the British throne between 1558 and 1603). Rowan Atkinson gave a career-defining performance as the various versions of Edmund Blackadder, who in each series is a scoundrel who does his best to elevate his social status and, more often than not, ends up failing miserably.

21

Reign (2013-2017)

The Life and Times of Mary, Queen of Scots

During its golden era, the CW aired some of the best scripted TV shows broadcast, and among them was an incredible series set in the Middle Ages – Reign. Reign takes many of the best medieval TV shows and turns them into a romantic drama focusing on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Set in the mid-1500s, Reign explores the trials and tribulations of Mary (Queen Elizabeth I’s sister) as she navigates the French court while awaiting her arranged marriage to France’s crown prince, Francis.

Few of the best medieval TV shows can be as hot as Reign, and the program was edited to reduce some of the more sexual content. It’s the perfect series set in the Middle Ages for anyone who wants a serious drama that captures the era, but prefers a story that doesn’t focus so much on violence and bloodshed. The cast also delivered incredibly solid performances, especially Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots.

20

Britânia (2018-2021)

Women warriors and druids in the war between Romans and Celts

Britannia is a co-production between Amazon Prime Video and Sky UK and is a good companion show to more popular series like Pomegranate and Vikings. The time period of this series is 43 AD, and the battle is between the Romans and the Celts.

What it does Britannia different from other programs of its kind is that features female warriors, magical druids and Celtic queensand offers fans of medieval entertainment a show with a strong female character that may go unnoticed in other projects.

Britannia It mixes fantasy with the real-life story of the Roman invasion of Britain, meaning there are several real historical figures in addition to the druids and demons the story presents. It also uses modern pop songs, making it sound very different to other medieval TV shows. The series ran for three seasons and the story ended shortly after the Roman invasion of Britain.

19

Vinlândia Saga (2019–2023)

An anime about a Viking warrior seeking revenge

Vinlândia Saga brings the world of medieval TV shows to anime format. While there are several anime options when looking at medieval stories, Vinlândia Saga He is the best of the best in the eyes of many.

Based on the Makoto Yukimura manga series Vinlândia Saga follows the protagonist Thorfinn, a former warrior of a band of pirates led by Askeladd. He is also the son of one of the world’s greatest warriors, Thors. Vinlândia Saga ended season 2 in 2023 and is set in the world of the Vikings, but this is primarily a revenge story that sees Thorfinn going after the man who killed his father and his rise to legend as his journey continues.

While the first season is a straightforward story of revenge, the second becomes more the story of an enslaved man (Thorfinn) who needs to find a reason to keep living. The series received critical acclaim and earned several nominations at anime award ceremonies.

18

El Cid (2020–2021)

The legend of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar

The Legend of El Cid is an Amazon Prime Video original. Set in the 11th century, the Spanish historical drama follows the life of Ruy, a young squire who discovers a scandal involving a conspiracy to murder and a plan to commit regicide. However, by bringing this to everyone’s attention, Ruy puts himself and his loved ones in danger.

Partially inspired by the story of the real-life knight and noblemanthis medieval series lasted two seasons and 10 episodes. El Cid has received praise for how it creates suspense and includes thrilling cliffhangers that keep audiences coming back for more.

The fact that the characters weren’t one-dimensional helped make this more than just a historical epic and also allowed it to play out like a major drama series. This Prime Video series is based on the same legendary figure from the 1961 Oscar-nominated film of the same name starring Charlton Heston.

17

Knightfall (2017–2019)

The rise and fall of the Knights Templar

Although it only lasted two seasons Knight’s Fall remains one of the best medieval TV shows ever made. Set in the 14th century, Knight’s Fall was a series that explored the lives of several Knights Templar soldiers as they tried to maintain their power and influence in the Holy Land.

The medieval series ultimately follows the story of the rise, fall and persecution of the Knights Templar, thanks to King Philip IV of France. Although some questioned the uneven plot and narrative, even critics believed that the directors more than made up for it with the battle sequences and fight choreography.

There are also some dynamic characters, as well as some compelling and complex villains. The series also features fan favorite actor Mark Hamill (Image: Disclosure)Star Wars), who joined the cast in season 2 as a veteran Templar.

16

Medici (2016–2019)

The history of the Medici family

With three seasons and a star-studded cast, Medici chronicles the rise and fall of the infamous Italian family. The series is full of corruption, rivalries and political conflicts. However, it’s not just full of drama, as the writers also manage to strike a perfect balance between romance and action.

Each season of the series follows a moment in the history of the Medici family and the landscape of Renaissance Italy. While Medici It wasn’t always historically accurate, as they had to dramatize some events for the sake of some plot, but it provides insight into how influential and powerful the Medici were in 15th century Florence.

There were three seasons and 24 episodes, and it received five nominations at La Chioma di Berenice, an awards ceremony that honors Italian artisans and artists. It won in the Best Makeup and Best Production Design categories, showing how beautiful the series turned out.

15

Merlin (2008–2012)

Merlin and Arthur in their youth

Whether it’s the cool battle sequences, the interesting stories inspired by Arthurian legend or because it has some of the best characters, Merlin managed to captivate the audience for five seasons as one of the best medieval TV shows.

Although Merlin is not historically accurate (especially in terms of costumes and not really following the classic tales), focuses a lot on fantasy and includes many mythological creatures. As the title implies, this series follows Merlin, who must hide his powers while Arthur’s father has banned magic in Camelot.

Over the course of the series, Arthur and Merlin become close friends, setting up their adventures as the boy becomes King. There isn’t a lot of blood in this series as it’s mainly family oriented, so it’s great for anyone who wants something light-hearted and fun. . Merlin won the 2011 BAFTA for Best Visual Effects and received nominations for numerous other awards throughout its career.

14

Marco Polo (2014–2016)

Marco Polo’s time at Kublai Khan’s court

Enhancing Polo’s years at the court of Kublai Khan of the Mongol Empire, Marco Polo It diverges mainly from Western themes, focusing on China around the Yuan Dynasty. The series sees Polo taken to China and left there as a guest of Kublai Khan (Doctor Strange Benedict Wong), where Polo soon rose to an official position at court.

Although this Netflix series only lasted two seasons, it’s rich in character drama, twists, and lavish settings loosely based on Eastern history. Its hefty $200 million budget can be seen in its rich cinematography and elegant production value, making it one of the best-looking medieval TV shows on Netflix.

Although it received only mixed to poor reviews, it was nominated for an Emmy for its main title theme song, which is a highlight of the series, and won an award from the American Society of Cinematographers.

13

The Pillars of the Earth (2010)

A drama during anarchy

Based on the historical novel by Ken FolletThis miniseries packs a wealth of interesting stories and authenticity into each of its eight episodes. How would viewers imagine a show based on an English civil war called “The Anarchy”, There are many dramatic and emotional moments in the series.

The show maintains a narrow focus on the one hand, revolving around the construction of a cathedral while also providing a deep and vast narrative involving several unique characters. Luxurious settings and Standout performances from Ian McShane and Hayley Atwell give The Pillars of the Earth an enriching feeling of authenticity.

For those who know the novel, major changes are made in the adaptation, with an ending completely different from the original material. The series also invents several moments from The Anarchy timeline for the series, so it is also not historically accurate.

12

Cadfael (1994–1998)

A series of medieval detectives

Europe’s cruel era 1,000 years ago seems ripe with potential when it comes to compelling murder mysteries. Cadfael and a British series from the mid-90s which takes advantage of this, crafting engaging criminal plots dressed in 12th century English settings.

The premise of Columbus and fuses it with tropes from the medieval genrecreating a distinctly entertaining show. Even with the entertaining potential of the protagonist’s past as a crusader-turned-monk, Cadfael focuses on dynamic writing and interesting plots to keep viewers engaged rather than action.

Based on The Chronicles of Cadfael Ellis Peters novelsDerek Jacobi (Gladiator) stars as Brother Cadfael, an herbalist and former Crusader knight who becomes a detective who helps solve crimes during the Anarchy, between 1137 and 1145. The series ran for four seasons, but only had 13 episodes.

11

The Tudors (2007–2010)

A Showtime drama set during the Tudor dynasty

Although Michael Hirst is perhaps best known for his work on Vikingsan equally dense and compelling historical drama of his appeared on the BBC years earlier. The Tudors takes place several centuries after that show, improving England in the period between the Dark Ages and Modernity, the Renaissance.

This transitional era sets the stage for a series of significant events, and Hirst takes advantage of this. Although the series is named after the Tudor dynasty is based on the reign of King Henry VIII. While The Tudors Executed with some creative liberties, the show uses fiction and history to round out one of the best medieval TV shows about King Henry VIII.

According to Hirst, “Showtime hired me to write entertainment, a soap opera, not history. …And we wanted people to watch it.” (through New York Times). It worked, like The Tudors was the highest-rated Showtime series during its time on the air (via Variety).

10

Red Wall (1999–2002)

Rats fighting for freedom in the medieval era

A cartoon centered around talking mice isn’t exactly authentic to the story, but This whimsical costume uses medieval themes to paint this majestic scene while appealing to children. This Canadian animation is based on the popular fantasy novels by Brian Jacques, with each of its three seasons comprising a different book.

Focusing on a once-poor mouse named Matthias, the show captures the often gritty nature of medieval life while balancing it with light-hearted humor.

Focusing on a once-poor mouse named MatthiasThe show captures the often gritty nature of medieval life while balancing it with light-hearted humor. The first season is based on red wallthe second in Mattimeoand the third in Martin the Warrior. Although it is a cartoon, it tells a mature story.

The series features several deaths and never strays from the difficult lives that people (or rats) suffered in the medieval era. There were 39 episodes in the three seasons, shown on Teletoon in Canada and Cartoon Network in the United States.

9

Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020)

The story of Mehmed the conqueror

Anyone who loved Game of Thrones but I wanted to see a more historically accurate medieval series, I should look for the docudrama Rise of Empires: Ottomanone of the best medieval TV shows on Netflix. Forget the demons and fantastic monsters of Game of Thrones.

The real-life historical events this series focuses on are as dramatic and exciting as any supernatural attack. Rise of Empires: Ottoman deals with the fall of the Holy Roman Empire and looks to successors in Constantinople and the creation of Istanbul after the conquest of Mehmed II.

The series was filmed in Turkey, and the second season also brings a bit of medieval tradition with the arrival of Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula) as Mehmed’s childhood friend. For history buffs, the series remains very accurate regarding the timelines and fate of Constantinople.

8

Isabel (2011–2014)

The political life and times of Queen Elizabeth

Largely based the reign of Queen Isabella of Castile, Isabel has proven to be an underrated addition to the medieval genre. As He picked upThis series charts the rise to power of several important figures in the royal families, along with the inevitable drama, fights and confrontations that accompany them.

This short Spanish program features Fantastic performances by Michelle Jenner as Isabel, Rodolfo Sancho as Fernando of Aragon and Pablo Derqui as Henry of Castile. This great cast is enhanced by some authentic Spanish settings and complex social/political events, including the voyage of Christopher Columbus and the Spanish Inquisition.

The series lasted three seasons and 39 episodes, with the first season starting in 1461 and the final season ending in the early 1500s. The series received critical acclaim, winning several awards, including Best Fiction at the Iris Awards of the Spanish Academy of Television and Audiovisual Arts and Sciences.

7

The Hollow Crown (2012–2016)

Based on Shakespeare’s Second Tetralogy

Although there are several of the best medieval TV shows loosely based on English history of the Middle Ages, BBC Two’s The Hollow Crown portrays this period from a more accurate and authentic angle, focusing on major events like the Wars of the Roses.

The first season draws on the captivating works of Shakespeare’s second tetralogy, which includes plays such as The Life and Death of King Richard II. The second season focuses on the War of the Roses, and each season has a different cast.

The authentic settings, tremendous acting from Ben Whishaw, Patrick Stewart and Jeremy Irons in season one and Benedict Cumberbatch and Judi Dench in season two, and the rich source material provide a solid foundation for this action-packed drama. The series won four BAFTA awardsincluding Best Leading Actor for Whishaw, Best Supporting Actor for Simon Russell Beale and Best Original Song.

6

The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)

Viking attacks from 866 to 878

Although many medieval TV shows focus on the late Middle Ages, The Last Kingdom revolves around the even more violent and cruel era of 9th century England. As it dates back to a time of instability where Britain was divided into several (often warring) kingdoms, drama, conflict and outright conflict are guaranteed.

It also shows the additional destabilizing factor of Norse invaders becoming emboldened and increasing attacks on the island. The series follows the novels of Bernard Cornwell, starting with The Saxon storiesand follows the years 866 to 878 when Guthrum and Ubba Ragnarsson left the Great Heathen Army for the war between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons.

The Last Kingdom sets the stage for some intense and epic battle scenes rarely seen on television. A plethora of compelling narratives and rich characters help flesh out this epic historical show, which ran for five seasons and 46 episodes.