The Most Popular Historical Drama, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the historical drama you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:40
Historical dramas transport viewers back in time, offering a window into the intricacies of past eras through gripping storytelling and rich character development. However, with so many options available, choosing which series to dive into next can be overwhelming. A ranking of the most popular historical dramas based on viewer votes helps streamline this choice, ensuring a quality viewing experience informed by the preferences of a broad audience.
By participating in these rankings, viewers not only contribute to a dynamic list that reflects collective tastes but also find guidance from fellow enthusiasts. This interactive process allows fans to champion their favorite shows and discover new ones that have captured the interest of others. It's a continually updated resource that adapts to new trends and releases, making it an essential tool for any fan of the genre.
What Is the Most Popular Historical Drama?
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1106votesAlthough technically a fantasy series, the show is heavily inspired by historical events and themes, making it one of the most popular historical dramas of all time.Game of Thrones is a highly popular and critically acclaimed American fantasy drama television series based on the novel series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. The show is known for its complex characters, intricate plotlines, and its blend of political intrigue, epic battles, and fantasy elements. Set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, Game of Thrones explores the power struggles among noble families as they vie for control of the Iron Throne.
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama
- Number of Seasons: 8
- Number of Episodes: 73
- Running Time: 50-82 minutes per episode
- Original Network: HBO
Game of Thrones in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most anticipated series
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular show in America
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular fandom
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Telltale game
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Wikipedia article
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular cosplay
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238votes
Downton Abbey
Julian FellowesSet in the early 20th century, the show explores the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants. It is known for its elaborate costumes and sets, as well as its compelling storylines.Downton Abbey is a popular historical drama series that depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early 20th century England. Set in the fictional Yorkshire estate called Downton Abbey, the series explores the dynamics of class, social hierarchy, and the evolving societal changes during that time period.- Genre: Historical drama
- Setting: Early 20th century England
- Premiere Date: 26 September 2010
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 52
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335votes
The Crown
Peter MorganThis Netflix original series follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from her ascension to the throne to the present day. It is praised for its attention to detail and accuracy, as well as its outstanding performances.The Crown is a historical drama series that explores the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. It provides an inside look into the personal and political challenges she faces while dealing with the responsibilities of being the monarch. The series aims to depict the events and characters surrounding the British royal family in a captivating and intriguing manner.- Genre: Historical Drama
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- Language: English
- Number of Seasons: 4 (currently)
- Number of Episodes: 40 (currently)
The Crown in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most romantic series on Netflix
- Position 5 of 10 in Most anticipated series
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410votesThis historical drama follows the adventures of legendary Viking warrior Ragnar Lothbrok as he raids and explores new lands. It is known for its gritty, realistic portrayal of Viking life and culture.The Vikings were a seafaring people from the North Germanic region, mainly hailing from what is now modern-day Scandinavia. They were known for their explorations, trade, and raids during the Viking Age, which spanned from the late 8th century to the 11th century.
- Seafaring Abilities: Expert shipbuilders and navigators, Vikings had an impressive mastery of the seas.
- Exploration and Trade: Vikings explored and established trade routes across vast distances, including regions such as the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland, and even reaching North America.
- Warfare and Raiding: Renowned for their skilled warriors, Vikings engaged in raiding activities, targeting coastal communities and monastic settlements.
- Norse Mythology: Vikings had a rich mythology and religious beliefs centered around Norse gods such as Odin, Thor, and Freya.
- Social Structure: Viking society was organized into hierarchical social classes, including Jarls (nobles), Karls (freemen), and Thralls (slaves).
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523votesSet during the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, this series explores the political intrigue and violence of the ancient world. It is praised for its attention to historical accuracy and its compelling characters.Rome is the capital city of Italy and is one of the most famous and historically significant cities in the world. It is known for its rich history, art, architecture, and cultural heritage. Rome is often referred to as the 'Eternal City' due to its long existence and continuous inhabitation for over 2,500 years.
- Currency: Euro
- Population: Approximately 2.8 million
- Area: 1,285 square kilometers
- Language: Italian
- Climate: Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters
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612votes
The Tudors
Michael HirstThis series follows the reign of King Henry VIII of England, from his early years to his eventual downfall. It is known for its lavish production values and its portrayal of the Tudor dynasty's scandals and intrigues.The Tudors is a highly acclaimed historical drama television series that aired from 2007 to 2010. It chronicles the life and reign of King Henry VIII of England and his tumultuous relationships with his six wives. The show explores the political intrigues, religious conflicts, and personal dramas that characterized the Tudor era in England.- Genre: Historical drama
- Premiere date: April 1, 2007
- Final episode date: June 20, 2010
- Number of seasons: 4
- Number of episodes: 38
The Tudors in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular song from Horrible Histories
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79votesThis time-traveling series follows the adventures of a World War II nurse who is transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland. It is praised for its detailed portrayal of historical events and its strong performances.Outlander is a popular historical drama television series based on the novel series of the same name by Diana Gabaldon. The show follows the story of Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who finds herself transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland, where she becomes involved in the Jacobite uprisings and falls in love with a Highland warrior. The series explores themes of love, adventure, history, and time travel.
- Genre: Historical drama
- Based on: Outlander novels by Diana Gabaldon
- Creator: Ronald D. Moore
- Original network: Starz
- Original release: August 9, 2014 - present
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810votes
The Last Kingdom
Stephen ButchardBased on the novels of Bernard Cornwell, this series follows the adventures of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior who fights to defend his homeland from Viking invaders. It is praised for its attention to historical accuracy and its compelling characters.The Last Kingdom is a popular historical drama series based on Bernard Cornwell's book series of the same name. It tells the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman who is captured and raised by Vikings, but later becomes torn between his Viking upbringing and his ancestral homeland of England during the time of Viking invasions.- Genre: Historical drama
- Based on: The Saxon Stories book series by Bernard Cornwell
- Setting: 9th-10th century England
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Language: English
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95votes
Boardwalk Empire
Terence WinterSet during the Prohibition era, this series explores the world of organized crime and political corruption in Atlantic City. It is known for its outstanding performances and its detailed recreation of the period.Boardwalk Empire is an American period crime drama television series set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era. The show explores the rise and fall of Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, a prominent political figure who also runs the town's bootlegging operations. It delves into the lavish and sometimes dangerous world of organized crime, gambling, and politics in the 1920s and 1930s.- Genre: Crime drama
- Setting: Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Time Period: Prohibition era (1920s and 1930s)
- Main Character: Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson
- Themes: Organized crime, politics, gambling
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1010votesSet in a lawless mining town in the late 19th century, this series explores the violent and turbulent world of the American West. It is praised for its outstanding performances and its gritty, realistic portrayal of the period.Deadwood is a popular historical drama television series set in the 1870s in the mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota. The show revolves around the characters and events that unfold as the town transforms from a lawless camp to a organized settlement.
- Genre: Historical drama
- Setting: 1870s Deadwood, South Dakota
- Creator: David Milch
- Original Network: HBO
- Number of Seasons: 3
Missing your favorite historical drama?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular historical drama
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Historical accuracyThe extent to which the drama portrays the events, people, and culture of the time period accurately, without too many deviations or fabrications.
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Quality of writingA well-written script that includes engaging dialogue, a strong narrative, and compelling character development will have a significant impact on a historical drama's popularity.
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Acting performancesThe skill, depth, and believability of the actors' portrayals of historical figures and characters can greatly affect the viewers' connection to the story and appreciate the drama.
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Production valuesHigh-quality sets, costuming, and cinematography are essential for creating an immersive historical world and can greatly contribute to a drama's popularity.
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Audience receptionThe response and enthusiasm of viewers to the drama, including ratings, social media engagement, and word-of-mouth, which indicate its popularity.
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Critical acclaimThe reviews and recognition received by the historical drama from professional critics, as well as awards and nominations, can serve as indicators of its popularity in the industry.
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Cultural impactThe extent to which a historical drama contributes to or changes the public's understanding and perception of history. A drama that creates a more significant cultural conversation is likely more popular.
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Accessibility and distributionThe availability of the historical drama, including whether it's easily accessible to international audiences, plays a role in its overall popularity.
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Relevance and timelinessA historical drama that explores timely or resonant themes and issues can become more popular and widely discussed.
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Originality and innovationHistorical dramas that break new ground in storytelling or introduce fresh perspectives on well-known events can generate buzz and become more popular.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular historical drama. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or drama is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2849 views
- 256 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each drama once every 24 hours. The rank of each drama is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular historical drama
Historical dramas have been a popular genre in the entertainment industry for decades. These shows transport viewers back in time and provide a glimpse into the lives of historical figures and the events that shaped their world. From epic battles to political intrigue, historical dramas have it all.
Some of the most popular historical dramas include shows like Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, and The Crown. These shows have captured the attention of audiences around the world and have become cultural phenomena. But what is it about historical dramas that makes them so compelling?
Perhaps it's the opportunity to learn about history in an entertaining and engaging way. Or maybe it's the chance to see familiar stories and events portrayed on screen. Whatever the reason, historical dramas continue to be a beloved genre that attracts viewers of all ages and backgrounds. So, what is the most popular historical drama? Let's take a look at some of the top contenders and see which one reigns supreme.
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