20 Best History TV Shows on Freevee 2026
Explore 20 of the best history TV shows on Freevee, from Versailles and War & Peace to documentaries, true crime, and period drama picks.
If you’re searching for the best history TV shows on Freevee, this list gives you a strong mix of period drama, true-crime stories, documentaries, and sweeping historical epics. From the royal intrigue of Versailles, Medici, and Elizabeth I to the wartime scale of War & Peace and Manhattan, there’s plenty here for viewers who like history with high stakes. You’ll also find reality-based picks like Air Crash Investigation, Des, and Underbelly for a more contemporary edge, plus character-driven stories such as The Paradise and Z: The Beginning of Everything. Whether you want world history, political power plays, or a lighter twist like My Lady Jane, these titles offer a broad route into historical storytelling.
-
01
War & Peace
1 Emmy nomination
drama · history · romance · war
The love story of young Countess Natasha Rostova and Count Pierre Bezukhov is interwoven with the Great Patriotic War of 1812 against Napoleon's invading army.
Why watch: If you like large-scale period drama with romance and war woven together, this is a good fit. The 1812 conflict gives it a strong historical backdrop while the love story keeps it personal.
Directed by Tom HarperCast Paul Dano, James Norton, Lily James, Adrian Edmondson, Aisling LoftusAmazon Prime VideoPeacock PremiumFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
02
The Odyssey
Won 2 Emmys 5 nominations
adventure · drama · fantasy · history
In this adaptation of Homer's timeless epic, Armand Assante stars as Odysseus, the warrior King of the mythical island of Ithaca, who must endure a decade long quest to reach home after the Trojan war, overcoming savage monsters, powerful forces of nature, and seductive nymphs, and he must outsmart them all, with all the guile and intellect he can muster.
Why watch: If you enjoy history blended with adventure and fantasy, this adaptation of Homer’s epic may suit you. It follows a long journey home after the Trojan War, so it’s best for viewers who like mythic storytelling.
Directed by Andrei KonchalovskyCast Armand Assante, Greta Scacchi, Geraldine Chaplin, Jeroen Krabbé, Christopher LeeAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
03
Elizabeth I
drama · history
Elizabeth I may be remembered as the greatest monarch to rule England, but during her lifetime she was beset by enemies and hers was a life of constant battling.
Why watch: If royal drama and political pressure appeal to you, this series is an easy pick. Its focus on Elizabeth I and her many enemies should interest viewers drawn to court intrigue.
Directed by Christopher HoltCast Lily Cole, Vincent Kerschbaum, Sheya McAllister, Summer Rose Allison, Sally MortemoreAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
04
Des
biography · crime · drama · history · thriller
The story of one of the most infamous cases in UK criminal history, that of serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Told through the prism of three men, the series explores the personal and professional consequences of coming into contact with a man like Nilsen.
Why watch: If you prefer history tied to crime and biography, this series is worth a look. It examines a notorious UK case through multiple perspectives, which may appeal to viewers who like serious true-crime drama.
Directed by Lewis ArnoldCast David Tennant, Daniel Mays, Jason Watkins, Ron Cook, Barry WardAmazon Prime VideoTubiAMC+FreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
05
Manhattan
Won 1 Emmy
drama · history · war
Set against the backdrop of the greatest clandestine race against time in the history of science with the mission to build the world's first atomic bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Flawed scientists and their families attempt to co-exist in a world where secrets and lies infiltrate every aspect of their lives.
Why watch: If wartime history and science-driven stakes interest you, this title stands out. The Los Alamos setting and the pressure around the atomic bomb project make it a strong choice for viewers who like historical drama with tension.
Directed by Thomas Schlamme, Daniel Attias, Andrew Bernstein, Christopher Misiano, Julie Anne RobinsonCast Rachel Brosnahan, Michael Chernus, Christopher Denham, Katja Herbers, John Benjamin HickeyAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for history on Freevee →
-
06
Underbelly
action · crime · drama · history · mystery
Underbelly is an Australian television true crime-drama series, each series is a stand alone story based on real-life events.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime stories based on real-life events, this Australian series should fit well. Its stand-alone structure makes it a good pick if you like one self-contained case or story at a time.
Directed by Tony Tilse, Shawn Seet, David Caesar, Grant Brown, Peter AndrikidisCast Caroline Craig, Paul Tassone, Dieter Brummer, Daniel Roberts, Khan ChittendenAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
07
Dark Angel
crime · drama · history · mystery & thriller · made in europe
The story of Victorian serial killer Mary Ann Cotton, a poisoner whose methods leave no visible scars, allowing her tally of victims to mount, unsuspected by a Victorian society unable to conceive of a woman capable of such terrible crimes. Traveling around the North East, she insinuates herself into unsuspecting families, marrying and creating new families of her own - before killing them, taking their money and moving on.
Why watch: If Victorian history and true-crime stories both appeal to you, this series is a strong match. Its history and mystery elements make it especially suited to viewers who like darker period material.
Directed by Brian PercivalCast Joanne Froggatt, Alun Armstrong, Isla McMonigle, Laura Morgan, George KentAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
08
Air Crash Investigation
documentary · crime · history
Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.
Why watch: If you like documentary storytelling with a reconstruction format, this is an easy choice. The focus on major air disasters and expert input should appeal to viewers who want factual history with clear explanations.
Directed by Tim Wolochatiuk, Mark Mainguy, George D'Amato, Su Rynard, James HyslopCast Jonathan Aris, Stephen Bogaert, Von Flores, Dale Yim, Thom MarriottTubiPeacock PremiumFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
09
Z: The Beginning of Everything
drama · history
A biography series based on the life of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, the brilliant, beautiful and talented Southern Belle who becomes the original flapper and icon of the wild, flamboyant Jazz Age in the 20s. Z starts before Zelda Fitzgerald meets the unpublished writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and moves through their passionate, turbulent love affair and their marriage-made in heaven, lived out in hell as the celebrity couple of their time.
Why watch: If you enjoy biography and the energy of the Jazz Age, this series may be for you. It centers on Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, so it’s a good fit for viewers interested in literary history and a famous cultural era.
Directed by Mike Barker, Neasa Hardiman, Minkie Spiro, Wash Westmoreland, Tim Blake NelsonCast Christina Ricci, David Hoflin, Kristine Nielsen, David Strathairn, Jim True-FrostAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
10
The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek
history · documentary
Chronicles rare and fascinating details of how "Star Trek" began, where it's been, and how it's going where no television series has gone before.
Why watch: If you’re curious about the history behind a major TV franchise, this documentary is a natural pick. It traces how Star Trek began and evolved, which should appeal to fans of behind-the-scenes history.
Directed by Brian Volk-WeissCast Gates McFadden, Robin Curtis, Catherine Hicks, Brooke Breton, Dominic KeatingAmazon Prime VideoTubiPeacock PremiumFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
11
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 Renaissance settings and a mix of history, fantasy, and romance sound appealing, this series is worth considering. It follows Leonardo da Vinci as an inventive and ambitious young man, which gives it broad historical appeal.
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 → -
12
My Lady Jane
comedy · drama · history
Gird your loins for the tragic tale of Lady Jane Grey, the young Tudor noblewoman who was Queen of England for nine days and then beheaded, back in good ol’ 1553. Actually... f*ck that. We’re retelling history the way it should have happened: the damsel in distress saves herself. This is an epic tale of true love and high adventure set in an alt-universe of action, history, fantasy, comedy, romance, and rompy-pompy. Buckle up.
Why watch: If you want history with comedy and romance mixed in, this one takes a playful approach. It uses an alternate take on Lady Jane Grey’s story, so it may suit viewers who like familiar history reimagined.
Directed by Jamie Babbit, Stefan SchwartzCast Emily Bader, Edward Bluemel, Anna Chancellor, Rob Brydon, Kate O'FlynnAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
13
Versailles
biography · drama · history
The story of a young Louis XIV on his journey to become the most powerful monarch in Europe, from his battles with the fronde through his development into the Sun King. Historical and fictional characters guide us in a world of betrayal and political maneuvering, revealing Versailles in all its glory and brutality.
Why watch: If court politics and the rise of a powerful monarch interest you, this series is a strong match. Its focus on Louis XIV makes it a good fit for viewers who like biography-driven historical drama.
Directed by Thierry Binisti, Paul BurgessCast Cherie Lunghi, Samuel Theis, Florence Huige, Stanley Weber, Raphaëlle AgoguéAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
14
Medici
biography · drama · history · mystery · romance · thriller
The story of the Medici family of Florence, their ascent from simple merchants to power brokers sparking an economic and cultural revolution. Along the way, they also accrue a long list of powerful enemies.
Why watch: If you enjoy family power struggles and historical intrigue, this series fits that lane well. The Medici setting also makes it appealing for viewers drawn to Florence, wealth, and political maneuvering.
Directed by Christian Duguay, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Jon Cassar, Jan MicheliniCast Daniel Sharman, Alessandra Mastronardi, Synnove Karlsen, Sebastian De Souza, Pietro RagusaAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
15
Hitler's Bodyguard
documentary · history · war
Adolf Hitler caused the deaths of fifty million people. An entire nation followed him to ruin. Over a tumultuous 12 years Adolf Hitler went from being a minor rabble-rousing politician, to supreme leader of Nazi Germany. He was hated by those he persecuted, and even by some of his own commanders - yet in twenty-five years no one managed to kill him. This program shows how Hitler's bodyguards helped him cheat death on many occasions. They expanded from a handful of thugs recruited to protect political meetings and fight opponents on the streets, to many thousands - including some of the most fearsome secret police and paramilitary forces the world has ever known.
Why watch: If you prefer documentary history focused on the Second World War era, this is a clear option. Its subject matter suits viewers interested in Hitler and the mechanisms surrounding his security and survival.
Directed by Jonathan Martin, Philip NugusCast Stephan GrothgarAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
16
Drug Lords: The Next Generation
crime · documentary · history
A new generation of cocaine traffickers emerges and the police have the job of taking them down.
Why watch: If you like documentary crime stories with a modern historical angle, this may be your pick. It focuses on a new generation of cocaine traffickers and the police effort to stop them.
Directed by Adam YounkerCast Jean-Pierre Yerma, Cristian Lavin, Will Rodriguez, Eric SoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
17
The Secrets of Quantum Physics
documentary · history
Professor of physics Jim Al-Khalili investigates the most accurate and yet perplexing scientific theory ever - quantum physics.
Why watch: If science documentaries are your thing, this series should be a good fit. It explores quantum physics, so it works best for viewers who like history-informed nonfiction with big ideas.
Directed by Kenny Scott, Tim Usborne, Stephen CooterCast Eliza SheaAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
18
The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice
documentary · history
Three-part documentary series in which anthropologist professor Alice Roberts and archaeologist Neil Oliver go in search of the Celts - one of the world's most mysterious ancient civilisations.
Why watch: If ancient history and archaeology interest you, this documentary series is a solid choice. It follows a search for the Celts, making it appealing to viewers who like older civilizations and cultural mystery.
Directed by Jeremy Hall, Michael LachmannCast Alexander GeorgievAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
19
Abandoned Railways from Above
documentary · history
Docuseries exploring lost railway lines, each with their own unique history revealing the vibrant industries that were once dotted along their routes and the ingenious engineering involved
Why watch: If you enjoy documentary history with a travel-and-transport angle, this series may stand out. Its focus on abandoned railways and the industries behind them gives it a distinctive historical lens.
Directed by Steven PerringAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
20
The Paradise
1 Emmy nomination
drama · history · made in europe
An intoxicating love story set in England's first department store in the 1870s. The Paradise revolves around the lives of the people who live and work in the store, each bound in their own way by the power of the world they live in, and the pasts that follow them there. A love story, mystery, and social comedy all in one.
Why watch: If you like romantic drama set in the 1870s, this is a good fit. The department store setting gives the series a strong period backdrop, while the mix of love story, mystery, and social comedy broadens its appeal.
Directed by David Drury, Marc Jobst, Susan Tully, Bill Gallagher, Kenneth GlenaanCast Joanna Vanderham, Emun Elliott, Stephen Wight, Sonya Cassidy, Matthew McNultyAmazon Prime VideoTubiPeacock PremiumFreeveeMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This roundup brings together historical series that lean into drama, biography, war, adventure, and documentary storytelling, so it’s easy to match a show to your mood. If you want royal politics, start with Versailles or Elizabeth I; if you prefer true events and investigations, Des, Air Crash Investigation, and Underbelly are solid choices. For something more imaginative, My Lady Jane and The Odyssey add a different kind of period energy. Bookmark this page and check back when you want a fresh starting point, because it’s updated regularly.
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.
Is Freevee free?
Yes. Freevee is free to watch with ads, and you don't need a subscription. Every title on this list is streaming on Freevee right now, but availability can change, so check each title's link before you start watching.
How are these history shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the history titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.