Grab your balloons and party snacks—Chief of War (Apple TV+) is here to remind us why scowling historical epics are so much fun. Coming soon, we’ve also got the Battle of Hastings drama King & Conqueror (BBC, August) and Spartacus: House of Ashur (Starz, this winter). Plus, Disney+’s excellent Shogun and Amazon Prime’s lackluster House of David are both getting second seasons.
Historical epics are everywhere these days.
But which ones are worth watching, and which deserve to be launched into a poorly rendered CGI battlefield? With so many to choose from, we need some ground rules. No fantasy (sorry, Game of Thrones), and nothing set after the early 1800s—partly because there are too many of them, and partly because Julian Fellowes (of Downton Abbey fame) has already claimed that era as his own, running off with it like an overprivileged goose.
Let the battle begin…
### The Best
Chief of War (2025)
A sweeping historical drama starring and co-written by Jason Momoa, telling the true story of Hawaii’s unification and eventual colonization in the late 18th century. It’s a powerful, visually stunning series with a mostly Polynesian cast and an ever-present sense of looming tragedy. Sure, there are plenty of grunting, subtitled fight scenes, but the storytelling is heartfelt—as muscular and sincere as its loincloth-clad hero.
Vikings (2013-20)
A brutally immersive journey into the Dark Ages, where mud-covered peasants dodge death and Norse warriors with legs like tree trunks stagger across fjords. There’s plenty of violence and lust, but the real strength lies in its complex characters, oppressive atmosphere, and dialogue that doesn’t make you want to throw yourself into a burning longship.
Shōgun (2024-)
The second adaptation of James Clavell’s epic novel, this version leaves the 1980 miniseries in the dust. With a gripping script, rich character development, and meticulous historical detail, it’s a masterclass in storytelling. Expect stoic samurai, scurvy-ridden sailors, and warlords scheming in breathtaking landscapes—all while racking up well-deserved awards.
I, Claudius (1976)
Yes, it’s slow, the sets look cheap, and the wigs seem made from vacuum cleaner debris. But 50 years later, the BBC’s adaptation of Robert Graves’ novels about the treachery of ancient Rome remains one of TV’s greatest achievements. The razor-sharp script and powerhouse performances—especially from Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, and Siân Phillips—make it unforgettable.
Wolf Hall (2015 and 2024)
A masterclass in understated historical drama—no flashy battles or gratuitous nudity, just brilliant acting (Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis), quiet explorations of grief and power, and endless candlelit silences that speak volumes.Mark Rylance’s Thomas Cromwell moves with quiet precision, his face perpetually carrying the look of a disappointed ferret. This adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s trilogy is a towering achievement, brought to near-perfection by director Peter Kosminsky and writer Peter Straughan.
### The Worst
The Borgias (2011–13)
Rome, 1492: the Vatican is awash with corruption as Neil Jordan dives into the scandalous world of papal intrigue. Expect lustful priests, scheming courtesans, and a weary Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI, bellowing “WHORE!” in a mitre. Historical accuracy? Tossed aside like a discarded cassock. The script? Weak. The acting? Questionable. The plot? Hard to follow when you’re distracted by all the melodrama.
The Cleopatras (1983)
The BBC’s disastrous attempt to recapture the magic of I, Claudius—except with worse wigs, cheaper sets, and actors SHOUTING about the Ptolemaic Dynasty in what looks like an abandoned leisure centre. Highlights include Richard Griffiths in heavy eyeliner, extras recoiling from flaming exposition, and the immortal line: “Let’s get out of Egypt!”
Spartacus (2010–13)
A testosterone-fueled spectacle where muscled gladiators clash in slow-motion, blood sprays freely, and dialogue consists mostly of threats involving body parts. John Hannah steals scenes as Batiatus, screaming “BY JUPITER’S COCK!” every few minutes. Fast-forward through it, and it’s like being blasted by a rapid-fire buttock cannon.
The Musketeers (2014–16)
A painfully dull BBC swashbuckler that turns Dumas’ classic into a bland, PG-rated romp. Think leather-clad hunks smirking through clunky one-liners (“Things just got complicated!”) and sword fights with all the edge of a butter knife. Peter Capaldi tries valiantly as Richelieu, but even he can’t save this snoozefest.
The Tudors (2007–10)
Historical accuracy? More like historical vandalism. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays Henry VIII as a smouldering, sex-crazed tyrant, while Joss Stone’s Anne of Cleves feels wildly out of place. Sure, they nod to the Reformation now and then, but mostly it’s just Henry bedding his way through England, his backside a blur of relentless motion—like watching a deli counter from a speeding bus.
Chief of War arrives on Apple TV+ on 1 August.
