Historical Docuseries To Watch On Netflix Right Now
Diving deep into history often unveils captivating stories of legendary figures, mighty empires, and defining events that have shaped the course of humanity. With narratives spanning from the ancient world to more recent historical events, there are many popular docuseries which offer a unique blend of education and entertainment. Here are just some remarkable docuseries to check out on Netflix right now.
Queen Cleopatra
Set in the heart of ancient Egypt, Netflix’s docudrama ‘Queen Cleopatra’ unravels the life and times of one of the most captivating monarchs in history, Queen Cleopatra of the Ptolemaic dynasty. In a dramatic reenactment of her 21-year reign between 51 BC and 30 BC, the series, released in 2023, transports viewers back in time, offering a rich tapestry of historical events.
Adding depth to the narrative are expert insights from Shelley Haley, Classics Professor at Hamilton College, Debora Heard, PhD candidate in Nubian Archaeology and Egyptian Studies, and Islam Issa, author of ‘Alexandria: The City That Changed The World’. If you’re interested in discovering more Egyptian culture, IGT developed a Cleopatra slot game with an Egyptian-themed design and there’s even informative Egyptian literature to explore, like ‘The Rise And Fall Of Ancient Egypt’ by Toby Wilkinson.
The Last Czars
‘The Last Czars’ takes viewers back to the twilight years of the Romanov Dynasty in Russia. The six-part series, which premiered on Netflix in 2019, traces the reign of Nicholas II, the last emperor of this illustrious dynasty, from his ascension to the throne in 1894 until his tragic end in 1918.
Starring Robert Jack, Susanna Herbert, Bernice Stegers, and Ben Cartwright, this Netflix docuseries expertly weaves historical events with personal stories, presenting a comprehensive picture of an era steeped in power, grandeur, and eventually, tragedy.
Roman Empire
Another captivating docudrama is ‘Roman Empire’ This series allows viewers to travel through time and experience the gripping tales of the Roman Empire. The anthology format of the series presents an independent story each season, focusing on different historical figures and events. The most recent season, ‘The Mad Emperor,’ which premiered on Netflix in 2019, is a four-part tale about Emperor Caligula. Known for his unpredictable and tumultuous rule, Caligula’s story adds an intriguing chapter to the series.
The docuseries artfully combines historical facts with dramatic storytelling, bringing to life the power, grandeur, and complexity of the Roman Empire, all while offering an intimate look at the life of its infamous ruler
Rise Of Empires: Ottoman
‘Rise of Empires: Ottoman’ is a Turkish historical series that presents the gripping story of Sultan Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror. The series was shot in Turkey and first became available for streaming on Netflix on January 24, 2020. The first season, consisting of 6 episodes, covers Mehmed’s campaign to capture Constantinople in 1453, establishing the Ottoman Empire.
The second season, also with six episodes, premiered on December 29, 2022, and focuses on the 1462 Ottoman invasion of Wallachia, led by Mehmed against Vlad the Impaler, his childhood companion from the Ottoman court.
Challenger: The Final Flight
Developed by Glen Zipper and Steven Leckart, ‘Challenger: The Final Flight’ is a compelling television series to watch that was produced by Bad Robot and Zipper Bros Films. Launched on Netflix in 2020, the series provides a poignant examination of the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster, highlighting the events leading up to the catastrophic launch, as well as its profound aftermath.
Over the course of its four episodes, the series combines historical footage, interviews, and expert analyses to offer a multifaceted perspective on this tragic event in American space history. The series is said to have well reflected the event in a respectful way and provided a great amount of context for viewers to receive a better understanding of what happened.
