The 25 Best Medieval TV Shows, Ranked

There has been an upsurge in shows centered around the Middle Ages – or at least influenced by the culture and events during that significant era, and this has resulted in some of the Best Medieval TV Shows On the small screen. There is more to the TV and streaming shows than knights in shining armor on horseback or kings and queens battling 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 era and learn more about the past.

It’s not surprising that viewers would be intrigued by such efforts, whether fantasy-based, historical fiction, or an accurate depiction of real events. After all, this turbulent, dark and often violent period of human history makes for some gripping settings and engrossing stories. Game of Thrones brought a true fantasy-level effort to the masses but others have proven to be memorable because they are based on reality. The good news is that There is a wide selection of options for those looking for the best medieval TV showsBe it for their tone, their battle sequences or compelling protagonists.

25

The Borgias (2011-2013)

The rise of a lumbering 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 a part of the era that is somewhat under-explored on screen is Showtimes’ 2011-2013 series The Borgias. Set in Italy in 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 much more violent and bloody affair than the journeys of modern pontiffs.

Starring Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia alongside the likes of Francois Arnaud, Holliday Grainger and an extensive ensemble cast, The Borgias is similar to Game of Thrones When it comes to the levels of back-stabbing intrigue and bloody violence. It doesn’t really contain the epic battle scenes that are a staple of many medieval TV shows, but when it comes to nail-biting 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 in the genre are many that focus on other regions of the world. One of the best and most recent in this regard is Hulu’s shogun, which arrived in 2024. Based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell, Shogun is a semi-fictionalized retelling of the rise of the shogunate in 16th century feudal Japan.

Shogun is praised both for its historical accuracy and its unflinching commitment to brutal and heart-wrenching drama throughout. The story is also fascinating, as it delves into the relationship Japan had with the European powers during the late medieval era. The show is currently available on Hulu and remains one of the best Medieval TV shows to release 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 it remains one of the best medieval TV shows, especially among those that (much like Shogun And The Borgias) have something to offer viewers outside the traditional tropes of knights and battles. As the title says, 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 fictionalized retelling of da Vinci’s early life, and is not as historically accurate as many other medieval television shows, but it does That doesn’t stop it from being incredibly gripping.

Although the show may focus on a famous artist, Da Vinci’s demons Is oozing violence and intrigue in every episode. The show sees da Vinci become embroiled in struggles to control the city of Florence, a dangerous cult, and a hunt for spies among its many plots. It is truly unique among the best Medieval TV shows, and how The Borgias bears a striking resemblance to Game of Thrones When it comes to its overall tone.

22

Blackadder (1983-1989)

Rowan Atkinson’s take on British history

Although most of the best medieval TV shows are dark and gritty dramas, this is far from always the case. When it comes to comedies set in the medieval era, few can match the classic British sitcom Blackadder. With Rowan Atkinson, who is best known for portraying mr bin Every season of Blackadder Takes place at a different time in British history, with most of the cast members portraying various generations of the same families.

It is only the first two seasons of Blackadder which 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 sat on the British throne between 1558 and 1603). Rowan Atkinson delivered a career-defining performance as the various versions of Edmund Blackadder, who in each series is a scoundrel who does his best to raise 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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​best​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ basest best scripted TV show ever to be broadcast, and among them was an incredible series set in the Middle Ages – Rule. Rule Takes many of the tropes of the best medieval TV shows and twists them into a romantic drama focusing on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Set in the mid-1500s, Rule Explores the trials and tribulations of Mary (Queen Elizabeth I’s sister) as she navigates her way through the French court while awaiting her arranged marriage to France’s Crown Prince Francis.

Few of the best medieval TV shows can claim to be as steamy as this one rule, And the show was famously edited to remove some of the more sexual content. It’s the perfect series set in the Middle Ages for those who want a serious drama that captures the era, but prefer a story that doesn’t focus so much on violence and bloodshed. The cast also delivered incredibly solid performances throughout, particularly Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots.

20

Britain (2018-2021)

Female warriors and druids in the war between the Romans and Celts

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

what makes Britain Different from other shows in the genre is that It features warrior women, magical druids and Celtic queensAnd gives fans of medieval entertainment a show with a strong female slant that can get overlooked in other projects.

Britain Mix fantasy into the real-life story of the Roman invasion of Great Britain, which means there are some real historical figures in addition to the druids and demons that the story throws in. It also uses modern pop songs, which makes it sound very different from other medieval TV shows. The series lasted for three seasons and the story ended shortly after the Roman invasion of Britain.

19

Vinland Saga (2019-2023)

An anime about a Viking warrior seeking revenge

Vinland Saga Brings the world of medieval TV shows in the anime format. Although there are several anime options when looking for medieval stories, Vinland Saga Is the best of the best in the eyes of many.

Based on the Makoto Yukimura manga series, Vinland 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. Vinland Saga Season 2 finished in 2023 and is set in the world of Vikings, but it’s mostly a revenge story that sees Thorfinn go after the man who killed his father and his rise to legend as his journey continues.

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

18

Al Said (2020–2021)

The legend of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar

The Legend of El Cid is an Amazon Prime Video original. 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 do registered. However, by bringing this to everyone’s attention, Roy puts himself and his loved ones in danger.

Partly inspired by the story of the real-life knight and noblemanThe medieval series ran for two seasons and 10 episodes. Al Sid Received praise for how it builds tension and includes gripping cliffhangers that keep the audience coming back for more.

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

17

Nightfall (2017–2019)

The rise and fall of the Knights Templar

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

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

There are also some dynamic characters and some compelling and complex villains. The series even features fan-favorite actor Mark Hamill (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 strife. However, it is not only full of drama either, as the writers also manage to find 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 was not always historically accurate since they had to dramatize a few events for the sake of some storyline, it gives insight into how influential and powerful the Medici were in 15th century Florence.

There were three seasons and 24 episodes, and it earned five nominations at the La Chioma di Berenice, an awards ceremony honoring Italian craftsmen and artists. It won for Best Makeup and Best Production Design, which shows how great the series looked.

15

Merlin (2008–2012)

Merlin and Arthur in their younger years

Whether it’s the cool battle sequences, the interesting storylines inspired by the Arthurian legend, or because it has some of the best characters, Merlin managed to capture 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), It focuses a lot on fantasy and includes a lot of mythological creatures. As the title indicates, the series follows Merlin, who must hide his powers as Arthur’s father bans magic in Camelot.

Throughout the series, Arthur and Merlin become close friends, setting up their adventures when the boy becomes king. There is not a lot of blood or gore in this series, as it is mostly family-friendly, so it is great for those who want something lighthearted and fun. Merlin Won the 2011 BAFTA for Best Visual Effects and received nominations for several other awards throughout its run.

14

Marco Polo (2014–2016)

Marco Polo’s Time at Kublai Khan’s Court

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

Although the Netflix series only lasted two seasons, it is rich with character drama, twists and turns, and lavish set pieces loosely based on Eastern history. Its healthy budget of $200 million can be seen in its rich cinematography and slick production value, making it one of the best-looking medieval TV shows on Netflix.

Although it only received mixed to poor reviews, it picked up an Emmy nomination for its main title theme music, 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 the anarchy

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

The show maintains a narrow focus on the one hand, revolving around the construction of a cathedral while providing a deep and vast narrative with several unique characters. Lavish backdrops and Standout performances from Ian McShane and Hayley Atwell Give The pillars of the earth An enriching sense of authenticity.

For those familiar with the novel, major changes are made in the adaptation, with an ending completely different from the source material. The series also invented several moments from the Anarchy timeline for the series, so it’s also not historically accurate in the slightest.

12

Cadfael (1994–1998)

A medieval detective series

The cutthroat era of Europe 1,000 years ago seems ripe with potential for compelling murder mysteries. Cadfael Is A British series from the mid-90s Who uses this, crafting engaging crime scenes dressed in English settings from the 12th century.

It takes the premise of Colombo and fuses it with medieval genre tropesMade for a distinctly entertaining show. Even with the fun potential of the protagonist’s background as a crusader-turned-monk, Cadfael Focuses on dynamic writing and interesting plot to keep the viewers enthralled rather than action.

Based on The Cadfael Chronicles Novels by Alice PetersDerek Jacobi (Gladiator) stars as Brother Cadfael, an herbalist and former crusader knight who becomes a detective who helps solve crimes in the Anarchy, between 1137 and 1145. The series lasted four seasons, but only had 13 episodes.

11

The Tudors (2007–2010)

A showtime drama set during the Tudor dynasty

While Michael Hirst is perhaps best known for his work on VikingsA similarly dense, compelling historical drama of ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ has found its way onto the BBC years before. The Tudors Takes place several centuries after the show, Hoping in England in the time between the Dark Ages and modernity, the Renaissance.

The transitional period sets the stage for a plethora of significant events, and Hirst takes advantage of this. While the series is named after the Tudor dynasty, It is based on King Henry VIII’s reign. While The Tudors Taking some creative liberties, the show uses fiction and history to complete one of the best medieval TV shows about King Henry VIII.

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

10

Redwall (1999-2002)

Mice Fighting for Freedom in the Medieval Era

A cartoon centered around talking mice isn’t exactly true to history, however The whimsical fantasy uses medieval themes to paint this majestic scene while appealing to kids. The Canadian animation is based on the popular fantasy novels by Brian Jacques, with each of the three seasons featuring a different book.

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

Focusing on a once poor mouse named MatthiasThe show captures the often gritty nature of medieval living while balancing it with lighthearted humor. The first season is based on RedwallThe second on MattimeoAnd the third on Martin the warrior. Although this is a cartoon, it delivers a mature story.

The series features several deaths and never shies away from the ordinary lives people (or mice) suffered in the medieval era. There were 39 episodes in the three seasons, airing on Teleton 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 wanted to see a more historically accurate medieval series should seek out the docudrama Rise of Empires: OttomanOne of the best medieval TV shows on Netflix. Forget about the fantastic demons and monsters of Game of Thrones.

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

The series was shot in Turkey, and the second season even brings a bit of medieval lore with the arrival of Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula) as a childhood friend of Mehmed. For history fans, the series remains very accurate about timelines and the fate of Constantinople.

8

Isabel (2011–2014)

The Political Life and Times of Queen Isabella

Based largely on The reign of Queen Isabella of Castile, Isabel has proven to be an underrated addition to the medieval genre. like GodThe series shows the rise to power of various key figures of royal families, along with the inevitable drama, struggles and clashes that come with them.

This short-lived Spanish show features Terrific performances from Michelle Jenner as Isabel, Rodolfo Sancho as Ferdinand of Aragon, and Pablo Derqui as Henry of Castile. The large cast is enhanced by several authentic Spanish settings and complex social/political events, including the voyage of Christopher Columbus and the Spanish Inquisition.

The series lasted for three seasons and 39 episodes, with The first season starting in 1461 And the final season ends in the early 1500s. The series was critically acclaimed, winning several awards, including Best Fiction at the Iris Awards by 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 a number of the best medieval TV shows loosely based on English history of the Middle Ages, BBC Two The hollow crown depicts the period from a more accurate and authentic angle, Hoping in major events like the Wars of the Roses.

The first season draws from 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 set pieces, terrific acting by Ben Whishaw, Patrick Stewart and Jeremy Irons in season one and Benedict Cumberbatch and Judi Dench in season 2, and the rich source material offer a solid foundation for this action-tinged drama. The series won four BAFTA awardsIncluding Best Leading Actor for Whishaw, Best Supporting Actor for Simon Russell Beale, and Best Original Score.

6

The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)

The Viking raids from 866 to 878

While many medieval TV shows focus on the late Middle Ages, The last kingdom Revolves around the even more violent and cutthroat era of 9th century England. As it dates back to a time of instability, where Britain was fractured into various (often warring) kingdoms, drama, strife and outright conflict are guaranteed.

It also shows the further destabilizing factor of the Northman raiders becoming emboldened and mounting assaults on the island. The series follows the Bernard Cornwell novels, starting with The Saxon StoriesAnd after the years from 866 to 878 When Guthrum and Ubba Ragnarsson left the great heathen army in the war between the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.

The last kingdom Sets the stage for some intense and epic battle scenes rarely seen on television. An abundance of enticing stories and rich characters help flesh out this epic historical show, which lasted five seasons and 46 episodes.