20 Best History TV Shows on Paramount Plus 2026
Explore Paramount Plus history shows, from The Tudors and The Borgias to Britain in Color, with dramas, docs, thrillers, and more across 20 picks.
If you’re hunting for the best history TV shows on Paramount Plus, this lineup gives you a smart mix of royal intrigue, true stories, and inventive nonfiction. From the court drama of The Tudors and The Borgias to the modern wit of A Gentleman in Moscow, there’s plenty here for viewers who like their history with romance, tension, and sharp performances. You’ll also find lighter and stranger picks like Drunk History, plus documentary-style favorites such as Britain in Color and Inside the Factory. With twenty titles on the page, there’s enough variety to match different moods, whether you want war, thriller energy, or a classic adventure like Legends of the Hidden Temple.
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01
The Tudors
drama · history · romance · war
The Tudors is a history-based drama series following the young, vibrant King Henry VIII, a competitive and lustful monarch who navigates the intrigues of the English court and the human heart with equal vigor and justifiable suspicion.
Directed by Ciaran Donnelly, Jeremy Podeswa, Dearbhla Walsh, Steve Shill, Brian KirkCast Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Anthony Brophy, James Frain, Sarah BolgerAmazon Prime VideoParamount Plus -
02
A Gentleman in Moscow
drama · history · thriller
Count Alexander Rostov finds himself going from riches to rags following the Russian revolution. A Soviet tribunal banishes him to the attic room of an opulent hotel, where, oblivious to the world outside, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love.
Directed by Sam Miller, Sarah O'GormanCast Ewan McGregor, Johnny Harris, Leah Harvey, John Heffernan, Lyès SalemParamount Plus -
03
Drunk History
comedy · history
Historical reenactments from A-list talent as told by inebriated storytellers. A unique take on the familiar and less familiar people and events from America’s great past as great moments in history are retold with unforgettable results.
Directed by Jeremy Konner, Derek WatersCast Bennie Arthur, Craig Cackowski, Maria Blasucci, Mort Burke, Michael ColemanParamount Plus -
04
The Borgias
crime · drama · history · romance
Set in 15th century Italy at the height of the Renaissance, The Borgias chronicles the corrupt rise of patriarch Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy, where he proceeds to commit every sin in the book to amass and retain power, influence and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
Directed by Neil Jordan, Kari Skogland, John Maybury, Jon Amiel, David LelandCast Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Peter Sullivan, Sean HarrisParamount Plus -
05
Britain in Color
documentary · biography · history
Britain in Color showcases key moments in 20th century Britain seen for the first time in color.
Directed by Tom BrisleyCast Stephen ManganParamount Plus -
06
Inside the Factory
documentary · history
Paddy McGuinness and Cherry Healey get exclusive access to some of the largest factories in Britain to reveal the secrets behind production on an epic scale.
Directed by Michael Rees, Sam Bailey, Gavin Ahern, Steve Bonser, Chris ParkinCast Phillip Lucas, Adam Francis, Oliver JonesParamount Plus -
07
Murderous History
crime · documentary · history
At the scene of every crime is a story of a time, the place, and its people. This six-part series steps back in time to examine the most gruesome and compelling murder mysteries of the past 200 years, viewed through the lens of the eras and cities in which they took place. Through cinematic reenactments, we follow the determined investigators and complex perpetrators while revealing how each case made its own mark on history.
Directed by Steven Perring, Ben MoleCast Jon Birkbeck, Steve LangleyParamount Plus -
09
Flashpoint
action · crime · drama · history · mystery · thriller
The Strategic Response Unit (SRU) is an elite team of cops who specialize in high-risk critical incidents. Trained in tactics and psychology, they deal with extreme situations, where split-second decisions could save a life...or cost one.
Directed by David Frazee, Kelly Makin, Erik Canuel, Holly Dale, Charles BinaméCast Hugh Dillon, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, Sergio Di Zio, Enrico ColantoniParamount Plus -
10
Liberation: D-Day to Berlin
war & military · history
Experience the liberation of Western Europe from every angle, as astonishingly colourised and expertly restored footage bring the historic turning point of World War II back to vivid life.
Directed by Ian Bremner, Rosalind Bain, Jonathan DrakeCast Guillaume Laroche, Wolf Kahler, Alexander Devrient, Anne Gallien, Daisy CarolathParamount Plus -
11
UFO
documentary · history · mystery
Ignited by a bombshell story revealing the Pentagon had been tracking UFOs for years, the series examines the history of the phenomenon through cultural and political touchpoints, including testimony from eyewitnesses across the country.
Directed by Paul Crowder, Mark MonroeCast Tom KingParamount Plus -
12
Million Dollar American Princesses
history
These are the true stories of American heiresses who travelled to England to marry titled English men in the late 1800s.
Directed by Michael Burke, Ian LilleyCast Lorelei King, Robert Bathurst, Rebecca Dyson-Smith, Vivien Reid, Mark SpidenParamount Plus -
13
Mafia Spies
history · documentary · drama
Reveals the startling tale of the CIA's, the mob's, and Sinatra's Rat Pack's connections from Vegas to Miami to Havana, exploring America's most amazing espionage operations ever.
Directed by Tom DonahueCast Nick Annunziata, Chris Pinto, Douglas Vermeeren, Rachel Comeau, Aislinn EvansParamount Plus -
15
The Fourth Estate
documentary · history
Explore the process and progress of The New York Times and its journalists in covering the Trump administration. Through extraordinary access, on-the-scene filmmaking, and exclusive sit-down interviews, this documentary series illuminates critical issues facing journalism today – including the challenge to the bedrock concept of truth, the changing role of the media, and the Times’ response to President Trump’s war of words.
Directed by Liz Garbus, Jenny CarchmanCast Maggie Haberman, Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, Elisabeth Bumiller, Dean Baquet, Donald TrumpParamount Plus -
16
Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League
documentary · history · sport
Once upon a time, football was just a game... From those who lived it, and those who made the beautiful game a billion pound business. The goals, the glamour, the glory.
Directed by Adam Hopkins, Yemi Bamiro, Sara KandasamyCast Mark BentonParamount Plus -
17
The Comedy Store
documentary · comedy · history
This documentary series brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at iconic L.A. club The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars.
Directed by Mike BinderCast Conrad Hurtt, Molly CravensParamount Plus -
18
Sun Records
biography · drama · history · music
The untold story of nothing less than the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Guided by Sam Phillips, young musicians like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis combined the styles of hillbilly country with the 1950s R&B sound created by artists like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Fats Domino and Ike Turner, and changed the course of music forever.
Directed by Roland JofféCast Chad Michael Murray, Margaret Anne Florence, Keir O'Donnell, Drake Milligan, Kevin FonteyneParamount Plus -
19
We Need to Talk About Cosby
documentary · biography · crime · history
During his nearly 50 years in show business, Bill Cosby became one of America's most recognizable black celebrities: his career was a model of excellence for millions of Americans, until the painful testimonies of dozens of women uncovered the sinister grimace behind the smile of the so-called America's dad.
Directed by W. Kamau BellCast Hamilton Morris, Matt WilliamsParamount Plus -
20
Waco
crime · drama · history · thriller
The harrowing true story of the 1993 standoff between the FBI, ATF and the Branch Davidians, a spiritual sect led by David Koresh in Waco, TX that resulted in a deadly shootout and fire.
Directed by John Erick Dowdle, Dennie GordonCast Michael Shannon, Taylor Kitsch, Andrea Riseborough, Paul Sparks, Rory CulkinParamount Plus
Wrapping Up
This collection shows how much range historical TV can have on Paramount Plus, from sweeping period drama to playful educational series and true-story docu-style picks. Whether you’re drawn to the politics of The Tudors, the family power struggles in The Borgias, or the offbeat charm of Drunk History, there’s something here that can fit a serious binge or a casual night in. Bookmark this page so you can come back when you want a fresh period watch. It’s updated regularly, so the recommendations stay useful as the library 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 Paramount Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Paramount Plus. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title 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.
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Last updated: September 10, 2026