20 Best Drama TV Shows on Starz 2026
Explore drama-heavy Starz series, from Outlander and Power to Black Sails, The Serpent Queen, and more picks for suspense, history, and character-driven stories.
If you’re looking for the best drama TV shows on Starz, this list gives you a fast way to narrow down what to watch next. You’ll find long-running favorites like Power and Outlander alongside period stories such as The White Queen and The Serpent Queen. If you want suspense, The Missing, Sweetpea, and The Couple Next Door bring mystery and tension into the mix, while Black Sails, Spartacus, and Da Vinci's Demons lean into bigger adventure and fantasy elements. There’s also room for lighter options like Party Down and Sweetbitter, so the lineup covers more than one mood.
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01
Tip Toe
drama · mystery & thriller
An ordinary Manchester suburb becomes a minefield of lies and violence when Leo gives neighbour Clive his spare key.
Why watch: If you enjoy small-scale thrillers with a dark edge, this drama and mystery series may fit well. Its story of a suburb turning tense after a neighborly favor sounds best for viewers who like suspense built around ordinary life.
Directed by Peter HoarCast Elizabeth Berrington, Pooky Quesnel, Paul Rhys, David Morrissey, Alan CummingStarzMore details on IMDb → -
02
Outlander: Blood of My Blood
drama
From the battlefields of World War I to the rugged Highlands of 18th century Scotland, two fated couples must defy the forces that seek to tear them apart, unfolding in surprising and unforeseen ways in this romantic saga that unfolds across time.
Why watch: If you like romance with historical sweep, this drama follows two couples across World War I and 18th century Scotland. It should appeal to anyone drawn to time-spanning emotional stories.
Directed by Azhur Saleem, Jamie Payne, Emer Conroy, Matthew MooreCast Jeremy Irvine, Hermione Corfield, Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Tony CurranAmazon Prime VideoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
03
Party Down
comedy · drama
A group of struggling actors and dysfunctional dreamers wait for their big break while they are stuck serving hors d'oeurves for a Hollywood catering company 'Party Down.'
Why watch: If you prefer drama with a comic streak, this is a good fit. The premise around struggling actors and a catering job gives it a showbiz angle without losing its character focus.
Directed by Bryan Gordon, Fred Savage, Ken Marino, David Wain, Heather JackCast Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Lizzy CaplanNetflixAmazon Prime VideoStarzFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
04
Outlander
4 Emmy nominations
adventure · drama · fantasy · romance
The story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Why watch: If you enjoy sweeping period drama with romance, fantasy, and adventure, this is an easy pick. Its time-slip setup and central love triangle make it a strong choice for viewers who want high-stakes storytelling.
Directed by Metin Hüseyin, Jamie Payne, Stephen Woolfenden, Anna Foerster, Brian KellyCast Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin, John BellNetflixStarzMore details on IMDb → -
05
Spartacus
action · adventure · biography · drama · romance
The life of Spartacus, the gladiator who led a rebellion against the Romans.
Why watch: If you like historical action dramas centered on rebellion, this one stands out. The biography and romance tags also suggest it may work well for viewers who want more than just battles.
Directed by Jesse Warn, Michael Hurst, Rick Jacobson, Mark Beesley, T.J. ScottCast Manu Bennett, Daniel Feuerriegel, Peter Mensah, Lucy Lawless, Nick E. TarabayStarzMore details on IMDb →
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06
Black Sails
Won 3 Emmys 10 nominations
action · adventure · drama
The pirate adventures of Captain Flint and his men twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island.” Flint, the most brilliant and most feared pirate captain of his day, takes on a fast-talking young addition to his crew who goes by the name John Silver. Threatened with extinction on all sides, they fight for the survival of New Providence Island, the most notorious criminal haven of its day – a debauched paradise teeming with pirates, prostitutes, thieves and fortune seekers, a place defined by both its enlightened ideals and its stunning brutality.
Why watch: If pirate stories and survival struggles appeal to you, this action-adventure drama is a strong choice. It mixes criminal underworld energy with a broad historical setting.
Directed by Steve Boyum, Alik Sakharov, Lukas Ettlin, Stefan Schwartz, Neil MarshallCast Toby Stephens, Luke Arnold, Toby Schmitz, Hannah New, Jessica Parker KennedyAmazon Prime VideoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
07
S.W.A.T. Exiles
action & adventure · crime · drama
After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program that made him who he is.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime dramas about unlikely teams, this could be a match. The setup around a forced comeback and a group of untested recruits suggests a tense, character-driven watch.
Directed by Lisa Demaine, Billy Gierhart, Oz Scott, Kevin Tancharoen, Tara Nicole WeyrCast Shemar Moore, Lucy Barrett, Adain Bradley, Zyra Gorecki, Ronen RubinsteinStarzMore details on IMDb → -
08
Amadeus
Won 1 BAFTA TV Award
biography · drama · history
25-year-old Amadeus arrives in Vienna, unemployed after his father’s death. He allies with singer Constanze Weber, who helps bring him into the orbit of court composer Salieri, igniting a rivalry that defines their legacies.
Why watch: If you like biography and history mixed with rivalry, this may suit you well. The story centers on a young Amadeus, court politics, and a defining competition.
Directed by Julian Farino, Alice SeabrightCast Paul Bettany, Gabrielle Creevy, Will Sharpe, Jess Alexander, Jonathan ArisStarzMore details on IMDb → -
09
The Listeners
drama
An English teacher begins to hear a low humming sound that no one else around her can hear.
Why watch: If slower-burn drama with an unusual premise sounds appealing, this one may be for you. The mystery of a humming sound gives it a quiet, eerie hook.
Directed by Janicza BravoCast Rebecca Hall, Ollie West, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Mia Tharia, Niamh McCannStarzMore details on IMDb → -
10
Sweetpea
Won 1 BAFTA TV Award 2 nominations
comedy · drama · thriller
Rhiannon Lewis doesn't make much of an impression - people walk past her in the street without a second glance. That is until she is pushed over the edge and loses control. Rhiannon's life transforms, but can she keep her killer secret?
Why watch: If you enjoy darkly comic drama with thriller elements, this title looks like a good fit. Its story of an overlooked woman pushed too far suggests an intense, twisty watch.
Directed by Ella JonesCast Calam Lynch, Ella Purnell, Tim Samuels, Jon Pointing, Nicôle LeckyStarzMore details on IMDb → -
11
The White Queen
4 Emmy nominations
drama · history · romance · war
Set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, the series is the story of the women caught up in the protracted conflict for the throne of England.
Why watch: If you like historical drama with royal conflict, this series fits that lane well. Its focus on women during the Wars of the Roses should appeal to viewers who want court intrigue and romance.
Directed by Colin Teague, James Kent, Jamie PayneCast Aneurin Barnard, Rebecca Ferguson, Amanda Hale, Faye Marsay, Max IronsAmazon Prime VideoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
12
The Serpent Queen
drama
Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she’s unable to concieve. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.
Why watch: If you enjoy political drama with a strong central strategist, this is worth a look. Catherine de Medici’s rise through the French court gives the series a sharp historical edge.
Directed by Justin Haythe, Stacie Passon, Ingrid Jungermann, Kate Dennis, Melanie MayronCast Samantha Morton, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Ruby Bentall, Nicholas BurnsStarzMore details on IMDb → -
13
The Couple Next Door
drama · mystery & thriller
Evie and Pete move into an upscale neighborhood and find themselves in a world of curtain twitching and status anxiety. They find friendship in the shape of the couple next door, alpha traffic cop Danny and his wife, glamorous yoga instructor Becka, but after Danny and Evie share a passionate night together there is trouble ahead.
Why watch: If you like domestic drama with a thriller twist, this one may work for you. The story around a new neighborhood, social tension, and a dangerous affair gives it a tense setup.
Directed by Dries VosCast Hugh Dennis, Janine Duvitski, Sam Heughan, Aggy K. Adams, Sam PalladioStarzMore details on IMDb → -
14
Da Vinci's Demons
Won 2 Emmys 4 nominations
adventure · biography · drama · fantasy · history · mystery · romance
The series follows the "untold" story of Leonardo Da Vinci: the genius during his early years in Renaissance Florence. As a 25-year old artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time as he begins to not only see the future, but invent it.
Why watch: If you want a blend of adventure, fantasy, history, and romance, this is an easy recommendation. Leonardo da Vinci’s early years and the idea that he can see the future make it especially appealing for genre fans.
Directed by Peter Hoar, MJ Bassett, David S. Goyer, Jamie Payne, Paul WilmshurstCast Tom Riley, Gregg Chilingirian, Eros V, Laura Haddock, Blake RitsonAmazon Prime VideoStarzTubiPeacock PremiumFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
15
Fightland
crime · drama
A disgraced boxing champion is released from prison and returns to London to take revenge on the crime family that betrayed him.
Why watch: If revenge stories and crime drama are your thing, this series should get your attention. A disgraced boxing champion returning to London gives it a gritty, personal angle.
Directed by Otto Bathurst, Tessa Hoffe, Colm McCarthy, Sebastian ThielCast Howard Charles, Deborah Ayorinde, Charles Babalola, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Nicholas PinnockStarzMore details on IMDb → -
16
Three Women
drama
An intimate, moving, uplifting portrait of real women reclaiming their lives for themselves.
Why watch: If you prefer intimate drama centered on women’s lives, this may be a good choice. The premise suggests a reflective, character-first series rather than a plot-heavy one.
Directed by Louise Friedberg, So Yong Kim, Cate Shortland, Lisa Brühlmann, Ekwa MsangiCast Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise, Gabrielle Creevy, Blair UnderwoodStarzMore details on IMDb → -
17
The Missing
2 Emmy nominations
crime · drama · mystery
A gripping anthological relationship thriller series exploring the emotional fallout of a child's abduction not only on the family but on the wider community, told over two time frames.
Why watch: If you like crime drama with a mystery structure, this series is a strong option. Its focus on a child’s abduction and the emotional fallout makes it especially suited to suspense fans.
Directed by Tom Shankland, Ben Chanan, Michael Samuels, William McGregorCast Tchéky Karyo, Anastasia Hille, James Nesbitt, Frances O'Connor, Keeley HawesAmazon Prime VideoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
18
Power Book III: Raising Kanan
crime · drama
Set in South Jamaica, Queens, in 1991, this prequel to "Power" revolves around the coming of age of Kanan Stark.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime drama with a coming-of-age angle, this prequel setup should be appealing. The 1991 South Jamaica, Queens setting gives it a clear sense of place and purpose.
Directed by Rob Hardy, Monty DeGraff, Mario Van Peebles, Eif Rivera, Hernán OtañoCast Patina Miller, London Brown, Hailey Kilgore, Mekai Curtis, Malcolm M. MaysAmazon Prime VideoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
19
Sweetbitter
comedy · drama
Shortly after arriving in New York City, 22-year-old Tess lands a job at a celebrated downtown restaurant. Swiftly introduced to the world of drugs, alcohol, love, lust, dive bars, and fine dining, she learns to navigate the chaotically alluring, yet punishing life she has stumbled upon.
Why watch: If you like workplace drama with a messy personal-life edge, this one may fit your taste. The restaurant setting and mix of love, nightlife, and ambition give it an energetic feel.
Directed by Stuart Zicherman, Marta Cunningham, Augustine Frizzell, Geeta Vasant Patel, Adam BernsteinCast Ella Purnell, Tom Sturridge, Evan Jonigkeit, Eden Epstein, Jasmine MathewsAmazon Prime VideoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
20
Power
crime · drama
A successful New York entrepreneur lives a double life as the head of a drug empire that serves only the rich and influential, all while wanting to escape the underworld and keep his family safe.
Why watch: If you want a crime drama about double lives and family pressure, this is a strong pick. Its focus on a successful entrepreneur running an empire works well for viewers who like morally complicated leads.
Directed by Sanford Bookstaver, MJ Bassett, Rob Hardy, Hernán Otaño, Anthony HemingwayCast Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Shane JohnsonAmazon Prime VideoHuluStarzMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This roundup brings together crime stories, historical sagas, psychological thrillers, and a few offbeat choices, so it’s easy to find a series that fits your taste. Whether you want something intense, romantic, or a little different, these Starz picks offer plenty of variety without forcing you into one lane. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh option, because it’s updated regularly as the lineup 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 a Starz subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Starz. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these drama shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the drama titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.