12 Best Biography TV Shows on Apple TV Plus 2026
Explore 12 Apple TV Plus biography series and documentaries, from Black Bird to Mr. Scorsese, with quick picks for crime, drama, and true stories.
If you’re searching for the best biography TV shows on Apple TV Plus, this list gives you a clean mix of true-story drama, documentary, and character-driven series. You’ll find tense picks like Black Bird and The Crowded Room, along with fact-based stories such as WeCrashed, Five Days at Memorial, and The Shrink Next Door. There’s also plenty for viewers who want a more stylized or lighter take, including Dickinson and The New Look. For documentary fans, Mr. Scorsese, Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces, They Call Me Magic, and Dear... bring real lives into focus from different angles.
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01
Black Bird
Won 2 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2023) · 4 nominations
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
As Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be freed. Completing this mission becomes the challenge of a lifetime.
Why watch: If you enjoy dark crime drama with a mystery edge, Black Bird is a strong fit. Its premise centers on a high-stakes prison deal and a suspected killer, which makes it ideal for viewers who like tension and psychological suspense.
Directed by Michaël R. Roskam, Joe Chappelle, Jim McKayCast Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, Ray LiottaApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
The Crowded Room
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
In 1979 Manhattan, a young man is arrested for a shocking crime — and an unlikely investigator must solve the mystery behind it.
Why watch: If you like a story built around an arrest, an investigator, and a central mystery, The Crowded Room may be the one to start with. Its biography, crime, drama, mystery, and thriller blend suits viewers who want a layered true-story feel.
Directed by Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, Kornél Mundruczó, Alan TaylorCast Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, Sasha Lane, Will Chase, Lior RazApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
WeCrashed
biography · drama
Inspired by actual events—and the love story at the center of it all. WeWork grew from a single coworking space into a global brand worth $47 billion in under a decade. Then, in less than a year, its valuation dropped $40 billion. What happened?
Why watch: If you’re drawn to business stories with personal stakes, WeCrashed is a natural choice. It focuses on a real-world rise and collapse, and the biography-drama mix works well for anyone curious about big ambitions going wrong.
Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa, Cory Finley, Tinge, Shari Springer BermanCast Jared Leto, Anne Hathaway, Kyle Marvin, Anthony Edwards, Theo StockmanApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Mr. Scorsese
Won 1 Emmy 3 nominations
documentary · biography
Explore the many lives of Martin Scorsese through intimate interviews with the man himself, access to his private archives, plus conversations with Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Daniel Day-Lewis, Steven Spielberg, and more.
Why watch: If you want a documentary-led biography, Mr. Scorsese is aimed right at you. The combination of intimate interviews, archive access, and conversations with major filmmakers should appeal to fans of Martin Scorsese and film history.
Directed by Rebecca MillerCast Martin Scorsese, Rebecca Miller, Robert De Niro, Thelma Schoonmaker, Steven SpielbergApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Dickinson
biography · comedy · drama · romance
Emily Dickinson. Poet. Daughter. Total rebel. In this coming-of-age story, Emily’s determined to become the world's greatest poet.
Why watch: If you prefer a more playful take on a life story, Dickinson stands out. Its biography, comedy, drama, and romance mix makes it a good option for viewers who want something literary, emotional, and a little unconventional.
Directed by Silas Howard, Stacie Passon, David Gordon Green, Patrick R. Norris, Lynn SheltonCast Hailee Steinfeld, Adrian Enscoe, Anna Baryshnikov, Jane Krakowski, Toby HussApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for biography on Apple TV Plus →
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06
The New Look
1 Emmy nomination
biography · drama · history
Explores the rise of fashion designer Christian Dior, as he dethrones Coco Chanel and helps return spirit and life to the world with his iconic imprint of beauty and influence.
Why watch: If fashion history interests you, The New Look should be a good match. It follows Christian Dior’s rise and sits squarely in biography, drama, and history, so it suits viewers who like real-world style and cultural change.
Directed by Helen Shaver, Julia Ducournau, Todd A. Kessler, Jeremy PodeswaCast Ben Mendelsohn, Juliette Binoche, David Kammenos, Maisie Williams, Joseph OlivennesApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Five Days at Memorial
Won 1 Emmy
biography · drama
Based on actual events from Hurricane Katrina. When the floodwaters rose, power failed, and heat soared, exhausted caregivers at a New Orleans hospital were forced to make profound, heart-wrenching decisions.
Why watch: If you’re interested in stories based on real emergencies and difficult decisions, Five Days at Memorial is worth a look. Its biography-drama setup and Hurricane Katrina backdrop suggest a serious, human-focused watch.
Directed by John Ridley, Wendey Stanzler, Carlton CuseCast Vera Farmiga, Cherry Jones, Cornelius Smith Jr., Robert Pine, Adepero OduyeApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
The Shrink Next Door
biography · comedy · drama
Inspired by the true story of Marty and the therapist who turned his life around...then took it over. When he first meets Dr. Ike, Marty just wants to get better at boundaries. Over 30 years, he'll learn all about them—and what happens when they get crossed.
Why watch: If you like true stories with a comic-drama angle, The Shrink Next Door may fit your taste. The premise of a patient-therapist relationship over many years makes it appealing for viewers who enjoy uneasy, character-driven stories.
Directed by Jesse Peretz, Michael ShowalterCast Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Kathryn Hahn, Casey Wilson, Cornell WomackApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces
5 Emmy nominations
documentary · biography
Follows the life and career of actor Steve Martin.
Why watch: If you want a straightforward portrait of a performer, Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces is a simple place to start. It’s best for viewers who want a biography documentary about Steve Martin’s life and career.
Directed by Morgan NevilleCast John McEuen, Mitzi Trumbo, Finn Wittrock, Quinn Scherbert, Julie BirkeApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Dear...
documentary · biography
An inventive approach to biographies of iconic figures in society by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work.
Why watch: If you enjoy documentaries with a creative structure, Dear... offers something different. Its use of letters to explore iconic figures should appeal to viewers who like biography stories with a more reflective format.
Directed by Peter McCoubrey, Randy Wilkins, Matt Bieler, Alex Simmons, Jenna RosherCast Matt Vogel, Sameer Khan, Audra Milos, Ryan Villacci, Mycah Bacchus MayeApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
They Call Me Magic
1 Emmy nomination
documentary · biography · sport
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is an icon for the ages—from humble beginnings to the Dream Team to business titan. Featuring candid interviews with teammates, rivals, family, friends, and more, this docuseries charts the life and career of a legend.
Why watch: If you like sports biographies and candid interviews, They Call Me Magic is a strong pick. It traces Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s life and career, so it should resonate with viewers who want an inspiring profile of a sports icon.
Directed by Rick FamuyiwaCast Magic JohnsonApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Greatness Code
documentary · short · biography · sport
Iconic athletes pull back the curtain on a pivotal career moment when they touched greatness. A stylized hybrid of live action and visual effects, this short-form docuseries sheds new light on the sports legends you thought you knew.
Why watch: If you enjoy short-form sports storytelling, Greatness Code may be the right fit. Its focus on pivotal career moments makes it appealing for viewers who want quick, stylized looks at athletic greatness.
Directed by Gotham ChopraCast LeBron James, Tom Brady, Alex Morgan, Usain Bolt, Shaun WhiteApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
From crime-heavy limited series to documentaries and inventive biographical stories, this roundup makes it easy to find a title that fits your mood. Whether you want a gripping mystery, a business story, or something more reflective, there’s a strong range here to browse. Bookmark this page and come back when you want another true-story series to try. It’s updated regularly, so the lineup can keep pace with the latest additions and changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need an Apple TV Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Apple TV Plus. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these biography shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the biography titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.