For decades, cinema has always been the first choice for anyone looking to put a biographical story on the screen. This is understandable because film award organizations enjoy throwing trophies at such productions. But as much as cinema is preferable, it isn’t always ideal. There are plenty of historical and pop-cultural figures whose lives were eventful. Cramming their entire lives into a single movie therefore feels like an injustice.
Thankfully, from time to time, television caters to those who love seeing the “based on a true story” tag on the screen. With enough time on their hands, writers and showrunners never hesitate to dig into the good and the ugly sides of icons, giving viewers a near-accurate picture of how these people behaved in public and in private. Some of the biographical shows sprinkle in a few fictional events and characters, but this is never a bad thing, since it tends to boost the entertainment value.
Here are 20 gripping biographical TV shows for pop culture and history buffs.
20Welcome to Chippendales (2022)
Read Our ReviewGreat entrepreneurs are adept at spotting voids and filling them. That’s what Indian immigrant Somen Banerjee (Kumail Nanjiani) did in the late-70s. Upon realizing that there were only women strippers in America, he decided to start anightclub with male dancers. His dancers, known as “The Chippendales,” became so big that they began touring across America like pop stars. Interestingly, Banerjee’s business partner took all the glory because of his charm and oratory skills, resulting in a deadly feud that culminated in murder.
The Dos and Don’ts of Entrepreneurship
From Nanjiani’s incredible performance to a spotless story, viewers will find themselves impressed by many things inWelcome to Chippendales. However, the show’s tough business lessons are what make it a chef-d’œuvre. It emphasizes the importance of studying the market and knowing what people want, as well as treading with caution when choosing business partners. It also reminds everyone to always respect competition. When Banerjee attempts to use illegal tactics to destroy all emerging copycats, things go wrong.Stream on Hulu
19Mike (2023)
Read Our Review
Because a rumored Mike Tyson biopic had been stuck in development hell for a long time, Steven Rogers (best known forI, Tonya), stepped up and created a miniseries about the controversial boxer.Mikeuses an interesting format, as each episode starts with an older Tyson (Trevante Rhodes), narrating his story to a crowd, and then the events are shown via flashbacks.
It’s Both a Critique and a Commendation
Mike Tyson called out Hulufor exploiting his story, but some have argued that the decision not to work with the boxer was a good thing because the writers got to cover the boxer’s dark side without having to look over their backs. As it is well known, Tyson was no angel in his younger years. He was once imprisoned for rape and was known to be a bully.
Still, there is no bias here. The show celebrates all of his achievements, acknowledging that he is one of the greatest sportsmen to ever live. There is plenty of humor too, which mainly stems from the numerous fourth-wall-breaking moments that involve the boxer providing commentary on his unconventional actions.Stream on Hulu
18Little Gloria… Happy at Last (1982)
Little Gloria… Happy at Lasttells the story of heiress Gloria Vanderbilt, whose father died while she was 18, leaving his vast fortune to her. This didn’t please Gloria’s aunt. After a while, she filed a custody claim, insisting that the young girl’s mother was misusing the money, hence she was unfit to be a guardian. The motion would result in what the press termed “the trial of the century.”
A Mini Fashion Show
Throughout its running time, the miniseries consistently gives hints that it might morph intoa legal drama, but it’s more of a mini fashion show. Because this is the world of the rich, the characters wear some of the most beautiful costumes ever seen on television, and they are all period-appropriate. The performance remains strong, too, in all the episodes, thanks to the presence of actors such as Bette Davis and Christopher Plummer. Because of its overall brilliance, the biographical show was nominated for six Emmys.Stream on YouTube
17Genius (2017-Present)
Geniusis a medley of biographical stories, chronicling the exploits of various individuals who did extraordinary things in their day. Whether it’s Pablo Picasso painting theLe Rêveor Aretha Franklin recording the song “Chain of Fools,” the series puts plenty on its buffet, with each season extensively digging into the life of one particular genius.
Better Than History Class
Albert Einstein’s plot can be boring to those who don’t understand Avogadro’s Number or the Wave-Particle Duality, while Aretha Franklin’s story might not impress those who don’t know what a Mezzr-Soprano voice is. Thankfully, the writers ofGeniusunderstand this, so they focus on the more relatable things about these characters. For example, how Picasso gaslights his romantic partners will come off as very relatable. So will Einstein’s all-work and no-play lifestyle. Most importantly, the biographical show does a proper dissection of the creative process, showing what geniuses think, what their routines are like, and the personal perspectives that make them better than others.Buy on AppleTV
16Colin in Black and White (2021)
Colin Kaepernick is arguably more famous than arguably any other football quarterback who ever lived, because of his strong stance against police brutality and racial injustice. Since most details about his adult life are already well known,Colin in Black and Whitetakes viewers back to his teenage years and sheds light on the experiences that influenced him to fight against oppression.
Colin in Black and Whiteis primarily a coming-of-age and teen sports story meant to beenjoyed by football lovers, but it excels the most by offering several moral lessons. Despite being adopted by a white American family, Kaepernick refuses to live in a bubble and be blind to the plight of Black people. His thinking is partly influenced by the unwelcoming environments he finds himself in, since, even at school, he is subjected to indirect forms of racial discrimination. Above all, this is the kind of show that needed to be made as it honors a man who has never been truly appreciated for the sacrifices he made.Stream on Netflix
15Narcos (2015-2017)
From building his prison to assassinating a presidential candidate, Colombian narcotrafficker Pablo Escobar did plenty of weird things. Viewers keen on learning just about everything about his life will find the first two seasons ofNarcosto be satisfying. The third season dwells on a post-Escobar world, where his rivals, the Cali Cartel, take over the entire supply operation and settle for a corporate rather than banditry approach to doing business.
Wagner Moura Is in Top Form
Any discussion about the most perfect castings in the history of biographical television ought to include Wagner Moura. So good was he in the role that, in online circles, there were jokes that Moura was “more Escobar than the real Escobar.” Whenever the screen version of Escobar threatens someone or goes on a rant, fear permeates the air and affects not just the people being yelled at, but also the viewers. What’s more impressive is that the actor isn’t even Colombian, but Brazilian. Besides that, the show maintains its authenticity by having the Colombian characters speak Spanish and the DEA agents speak English.Stream on Netflix
14Halston (2021)
Halstonis a biographical miniseries about thelegendary American fashion designerRoy Halston Frowick (Ewan McGregor), who often went by the mononym, Halston. Credited for popularizing dresses with Ultrasuede and cashmere designs, Halston became a major celebrity in the ‘60s and ‘70s. He is also remembered for designing the pillbox hat that First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore at her husband’s inauguration in 1961.
Strong Supporting Characters
With a talented actor like McGregor at their disposal, many showrunners might feel tempted to wire all the arcs around the character that the star plays. Thankfully,Halstonavoids this route and gives many supporting characters a chance to shine. Whether it’s his lover, Victor Hugo, or his friend, Martha Graham, the show grants them all the depth they deserve. And as it should,Halstonscours into the business practices of the fashion industry, revealing how designers can predict future trends, and how they make the most of their buck.Stream on Netflix
Related:The 10 Best Biopics About Movie Directors
13The Crown (2016-2023)
The Crownhas been widely celebrated as one ofthe greatest political showsever made, and deservedly so. The show mines both tabloid rumors and facts as it covers the triumphs and scandals of Britain’s Royal Family. Right from Queen Elizabeth II’s marriage to Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, in the late-40s to the death of Princess Diana in the ’90s, the Netflix drama leaves no surface untouched.
Costume and Set Accuracy
The biographical Netflix series has sometimes been criticized for bending the facts and disrespecting the royal family, but two things it deserves praise for are the costume and set accuracy. The clothes, furniture, and buildings used in the show appear exactly as they did when the real characters were first photographed. This, coupled with a strong cinematic score by the legendary Hans Zimmer, makesThe Crownclassy and fun enough for all audiences, including those with no interest in political affairs.Stream on Netflix
12American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story (2017)
Hugh Hefner was a man who wore many hats. As the founder of Playboy, he rubbed conservatives the wrong way, but at the same time, he was one of only a few influential white Americans who supported the Civil Rights movement. His legacy was tainted further after the emergence of the #MeToo movement, but becauseAmerican Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Storywas produced by the man himself, it only dwells on his wins and his business acumen.
Assumptions Get Cleared
While Hefner was generally perceived as a “dirty old man” because of the content of Playboy Magazine, many assumptions about him and his business weren’t entirely accurate. For example, sanctimonious people, who never touched the magazine, strongly believed it had nothing but pornographic images, yet 80% of it comprised articles (some from many of America’s popular columnists).
And since every so-called bad man has an ounce of good in them, Hefner was known to be good to his associates, and to the Black community. This is accurately captured in the biographical miniseries without any exaggerations. It’s a bit unfortunate that his dark side doesn’t get addressed here, but it’s nothing to fret over because such information is abundantly available elsewhere.Stream on Prime Video
11The Offer (2022)
Oscar-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy’s never-before-revealed experiences of making The Godfather (1972).
Read Our Review of the Opening Episodes
For years, the behind-the-scenes stories about themaking ofThe Godfatherwere only available online and in print, but they now exist in the form of the biographical series,The Offer.What is arguably the greatest movie of all time had a chaotic production process, and the show reveals this through the eyes of producer Albert S. Ruddy (Miles Teller).
It Feels Very Much Like the Movie Itself
WatchingThe Offerfeels like watching yet another gangster movie or television show. Many of the subplots are reserved for real-life members of the Cosa Nostra, and this isn’t just a case of writers exercising creative liberties. The mafia did indeed establish some rules that the makers ofThe Godfatherneeded to follow, or else… The Hollywood storyline feels very familiar, too, as there is one in the movie itself. The marriage between crime and the movie industry thus makes this show perfect for genre fans.Stream on Paramount+
