TV Historical Dramas Preview – Part 2

Last week I shared with you all a bunch of historical dramas that are currently or going to be on PBS-Masterpiece. This week, I’m going to share some of the shows on paid services – such as STARZ and Netflix. There are some great new shows coming that I can’t wait to dive in to.

On STARZ

STARZ has come up with a great selection of historical dramas over the last couple of years – and the three I am featuring below are all returning selections.

Outlander – Premiered September 2014, 2^nd season coming in the Spring

Outlander is based on the historical time travel Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. It stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, a married World War II nurse in 1945 who finds herself transported back to Scotland in 1743, where she encounters the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and becomes embroiled in the Jacobite risings.

I LOVE THIS SHOW!! Was that a clear enough statement of how I feel about this show? I think it beautifully brings the novels to vivid life. Sometimes hard to watch for sure, but so good. I’m looking forward to season 2 and seeing their time in France.

Black Sails – Premiered in 2014, 3^rd season is coming this month

Black Sails is an American dramatic adventure television series set on New Providence Island and a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island

I have seen a couple episodes of this show, just the very beginning. I love tales of pirates and adventure and Treasure Island – although I didn’t realize it was related to Treasure Island when I watched it the first time. And visually stunning!! Beyond that, I don’t know much about this one.

DaVinci’s Demons – Premiered in 2013, 3 seasons (ended December 2015)

Da Vinci's Demons is a historical fantasy drama series that presents a fictional account of Leonardo da Vinci's early life.  The show follows Leonardo as he is implicated in the political schemes of the Medici and Pazzi families and their contrasting relationships with the Catholic Church. These events occur alongside Leonardo's quest to obtain the Book of Leaves as he finds himself entangled with a cult known as the Sons of Mithras.

I saw most of the first season of this one, haven’t had the chance to finish up watching this though. The plot was a little strange at times and hard to follow, but I LOVED Tom Riley who plays Leonardo. A great mix of insane and genius. Another one that is visually beautiful. It just ended its run in

On Netflix

Marco Polo – Premiered in 2014 and 2^nd season was just renewed

Marco Polo is an American drama series inspired by Marco Polo's early years in the court of Kublai Khan, the Khagan of the Mongolian Empire and the founder of the Yuan dynasty (1271 – 1368), in Khanbaliq.

I have not have the chance to see this one yet, however it is in my Netflix queue. I have heard mixed reactions to this one. I have heard it is a little weak in plot.

The Crown – Premiering in 2016 at a date to be announced

The Crown is a biographical drama series about the British royal family, namely the inside story of Queen Elizabeth II and her many prime ministers as it spans across several decades.

Not quite as historical as some of the shows discussed today, as the subjects are still currently living and ruling, but it is about royalty and that is enough for me. I’m assuming if we are going to be being treated to many of her prime ministers it will go back a ways.

Frontier – Premiering in 2016 at a date to be announced

Set in the late 1700s, Frontier is an adventure drama series that explores the clash between Native tribes and European settlers during the height of the North American fur trade. Will star Jason Momoa, previously of Game of Thrones.

This has potential as far as I’m concerned. There aren’t too many USA based historical dramas these days – but they are branching out! I will have my eyes out for this one.

I do not have a trailer yet for this one.

There are a lot more historical dramas than I knew about – how to find the time to watch them all and read!!! I’m excited for the new shows coming from Netflix and to catch up on Outlander and Da Vinci’s Demons.  What are you excited about?

 


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