Move over Moana, Jason Momoa is here to depict the history of Hawai’i with the Apple TV Plus series Chief of War, a nine-episode historical drama about the unification and colonization of Hawai’i, based on true events.

Not only is Momoa leading the series on camera, but he is co-creator and co-writer for the series, serves as an executive producer and directed the season finale. That should give you a hint as to how big a passion project Chief of War is for Momoa, who has native Hawaiian heritage.

To get all the info you need to know about Chief of War, continue reading below.

Chief of War next episode

Chief of War episode 3 is now streaming on Apple TV Plus.

New episodes premiere every Friday. With nine episodes in total, that will have the season finale premiering on September 19.

In order to watch Chief of War, you must have an Apple TV Plus subscription.

Chief of War cast

Did we mention that Jason Momoa was starring in this show? All jokes aside, the Dune, A Minecraft Movie and See star leads a predominantly Polynesian cast that consists of a number of recognizable actors and a slate of newcomers as well.

Among the known stars are Luciane Buchanan (The Night Agent), Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett) and Cliff Curtis (Last Breath). The rest of the cast includes Te Ao o Hinepehinga (Breakwater), Moses Goods (Rescue: HI-Surf), Siua Ikale’o (NCIS: Hawai’i), Brandon Finn (FBI: International), James Udom (Accused), Mainei Kinimaka (See), Te Kohe Tuhaka (My Life is Murder) and Kaina Makua, who makes their acting debut in the series.

Chief of War plot

Momoa co-created and wrote Chief of War with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, with Doug Jung as the series’ showrunner. Here is the official synopsis for the series:

“Chief of War follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawai‘I in the late 18th century. Told from an indigenous perspective, Chief of War is a passion project for creators Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, who both share native Hawaiian heritage.”

Chief of War recaps

Here are the synopses for the Chief of War episodes, as well as links to our in-depth recaps:

Chief of War episode 1, "The Chief of War"
"Kaʻiana is summoned back home to Maui where he must decide whether to join King Kahekili in war." Read WTW's Chief of War episode 1 recap.

Chief of War episode 2, "Changing Tides"
"Fearing for their lives, Kaʻiana and his family flee Oahu. An ally emerges with a promise of safe passage." Read WTW's Chief of War episode 2 recap.

Chief of War episode 3, "City of Flowers"
"Kaʻiana arrives in a strange land. Kaʻahumanu takes her place beside Kamehameha." Read WTW's Chief of War episode 3 recap.

Chief of War trailer

Watch the official Chief of War trailer directly below:

Chief of War behind the scenes

Fifth Season and Chernin Entertainment are two production companies behind the series.

There are four directors currently listed for the series. In addition to Momoa, they are Justin Chon, Anders Engström and Brian Andrew Mendoza.

Another notable behind-the-scenes contributor is Hans Zimmer, who wrote the Chief of War theme song and co-produced the score for all nine episodes with James Everingham.

Fans of Peaky Blinders get ready: the next series from creator Stephen Knight is one of the big new TV releases of February! A Thousand Blows will hit screens on Friday, February 21 and it returns us to a historical setting in England.

Set in 1880s London, A Thousand Blows follows two friends who travel from Jamaica to England to find a new life. They find themselves pulled into the dangerous world of illegal boxing rings, as well as a gang called the Forty Elephants.

The show stars Stephen Graham as well as Erin Doherty, Malachi Kirby and Francis Loevehall, and fans of Knight's previous hit are excited to see how this new series plays out.

So here's how to watch A Thousand Blows including when the episodes come out, and how you can see them.

How to watch A Thousand Blows in the US

If you live in the US, you'll be able to watch A Thousand Blows on the streaming service Hulu. All six episodes are expected to hit the platform at once on Friday, February 21.

If you're not currently signed up for Hulu, you can do so for $9.99 per month. This is for the basic package which shows you commercials, and $18.99 per month gets you on the ad-free plan. We've got a guide on Hulu deals if you want to find a way to save money.

Some instead opt to sign up via the Disney Bundle, which gets you Hulu as well as Disney Plus for $10.99 per month (and you can add in ESPN Plus or get ad-free streaming for higher monthly fees). Also, cable-cutters who use Hulu with Live TV get the standalone Hulu subscription service bundled in on certain plans.

How to watch A Thousand Blows in the UK

People living in the UK can watch A Thousand Blows by using the streaming service Disney Plus. You won't need to wait to binge-watch the series as all episodes will hit the platform at once on Friday, February 21.

The cheapest Disney Plus plan costs just £4.99 monthly, but this bombards you with loads of adverts, and the £7.99 plan lets you avoid these. There's also a £10.99 Premium plan for 4K and Dolby Atmos streaming of movies, but it won't affect the video or audio quality of A Thousand Blows.

Annual options exist for most of these plans, but not the ad-supported one. We sometimes see Disney Plus deals which make it cheaper to sign up or stream.

How to watch A Thousand Blows in Australia

Want to watch A Thousand Blows in Australia? As in most parts of the world, you'll have to use Disney Plus to see the series, and all episodes will be available to stream from Friday, February 21.

Disney Plus has two plans, and the $13.99-per-month standard one is all you need to be on in order to watch A Thousand Blows. You can also sign up for the $17.99 tier if you want to watch movies in a higher quality, but it won't affect this series.

The final episodes of Outlander season 7 are heading to Starz beginning November 22. The time travel romance features an epic love story that spans centuries will soon be fading off into the mist, but not before cementing the unshakeable bond between Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jaime (Sam Heughan) one last time.

Outlander season 7 premieres Nov. 22 at midnight Eastern time on the Starz app and all Starz streaming platforms. The episode will be available for Starz cable subscribers at 8 pm ET/PT. New episodes will be available to stream weekly at midnight on Friday.

Outlander, which boasts a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, follows Claire's journey from the 20th century to 18th century Scotland, where she falls in love with Jaime Fraser. The couple is torn apart by the sands of time, with Claire always finding Jaime as her life continues in two distinct time periods. The series is based on the bestselling novels from Diana Gabaldon.

The synopsis below paints a picture of where Claire and Jaime are heading into the final episodes of the series and where they're going: "Coming off the first half of Outlander season 7, we find Claire, Jamie and Young Ian leaving the colonies and arriving in their beloved homeland: Scotland. The perils of the Revolutionary War force them to choose between standing by those they love and fighting for the land they have made their new home. Meanwhile, Roger and Brianna face new enemies across time, and must battle the forces that threaten to pull their family apart. As loyalties change and painful secrets come to light, Jamie and Claire’s marriage is tested like never before. With their love binding them over oceans and centuries, can the MacKenzies and Frasers find their way back to each other?"

Though the journey is coming to an end for Claire and Jaime, a new story set in the same universe is about to begin with Outlander: Blood of My Blood. The prequel spinoff will explore the love stories between Claire and Jaime's parents. There's no release date for the spinoff yet but we suspect the new series will arrive in 2025.

New episodes of Outlander season 7 part 2 air Fridays on Starz.

One of the most anticipated shows of the summer is Those About to Die — generally speaking and definitely on What to Watch's team — and the new historical action show is out soon on Thursday, July 18.

Those About to Die is set in ancient Rome, and it follows the various figures involved in the gladiatorial arena of the Colosseum. We'll follow the warriors as well as the gamblers, organizers and other prominent figures as they clash on the sand as well as behind the scenes.

There are stars in front and behind the camera with Anthony Hopkins, Iwan Rheon and Sara Martins starring, with the script written by Saving Private Ryan's Robert Rodat and disaster movie legend Roland Emmerich and Bodies director Marco Kreuzpaintner directing the episodes. So it's going to be one to watch this summer.

Sound like one for you? Here's how to watch Those About to Die, wherever you are around the world.

How to watch Those About to Die in the US

If you live in the US, you'll be able to watch Those About to Die by signing up for Peacock. Yes, the same streaming service that's showing the drama about arena combat is the same one that's showing the modern-day equivalent in the form of the 2024 Olympic Games next week!

Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service, though the media company didn't make Those About to Die itself. It has loads of movies and TV shows as well as quite a bit of sport. 

You can sign up for Peacock for as little as $5.99 per month ($59.99 annually) for its Premium plan. This will make you watch commercials though so if you want ad-free viewing you'll want the $11.99 per month ($119.99 annually) Premium Plus plan.

All of the episodes of Those About to Die land on Peacock at once, so you can binge them at your leisure.

How to watch Those About to Die in the UK

The streaming service that will host Those About to Die in the UK is Prime Video, so you'll need to be signed up for Amazon Prime in order to watch it (as that's how you get access to Prime Video).

The entire run of Those About to Die will land at the same time, unlike some other Amazon shows, so you won't need to wait to see the whole thing. Just note it releases one day after the US date, so you can watch it from Friday, July 19.

A subscription to Amazon Prime costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year, but if you've never signed up to Prime before you can enjoy a 30-day free trial that'll let you use all of its service (including Prime Video) without paying.

How to watch Those About to Die in Australia and New Zealand

As in the UK, people who want to see Those About to Die in Australia and New Zealand will need to sign up for Amazon Prime to see it, because it's going to be airing on Prime Video.

All episodes of Those About to Die will land at once, but you'll have to wait until Friday, July 19 to watch the, due to the way the time zones work. Don't worry, you're not getting them later than everyone else!

How to watch Those About to Die everywhere else

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch Those About to Die, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows, movies, sports or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is NordVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

How to use a VPN to watch any stream

• Download the app at NordVPN
• Choose the location of the streaming service you want to watch (UK, US, etc)
• Navigate to the streaming service and start watching!

The newest young adult historical series hitting streaming soon is My Lady Jane, which comes out on Thursday, June 27, and we'll help you figure out how to stream it.

My Lady Jane is a revisionist historical comedy series — it's based on the real British monarch of Lady Jane Grey, who was executed at age 17 after just nine days on the throne. But not in this show.

In My Lady Jane, we follow what could have been if Grey had survived. She embarks on whirlwind romances, deals with the various personalities at court and has to survive another plot or two with her friends.

Emily Bader stars in the lead role in a cast filled with comedy greats like Rob Brydon, Jim Broadbent and more.

So here's how to watch My Lady Jane.

How to watch My Lady Jane

You'll be able to watch My Lady Jane on Prime Video, as the show was an original production for Amazon's streaming service. All eight episodes will land on the streamer's library on the exact same day: Thursday, June 27.

In order to access Prime Video's library, you need to be a subscriber to Amazon Prime. This all-encompassing Amazon subscription service is your only way to access all of its entertainment services including the video-on-demand one.

You can sign up for Amazon Prime for $14.99 / £8.99 per month or $139 / £95 per year and that'll let you stream Prime Video with commercials. An extra $3.99 / £2.99 per month will let you stream ad-free and here's how to remove commercials from your Prime Video account.

If you've never signed up for Amazon Prime before, you can test it out without paying for a month because Amazon offers a 30-day free trial that'll let you stream Prime Video amongst the various other perks. 

Where to read My Lady Jane

If you'd like to read the book that My Lady Jane is based on before you watch the TV show, then you'll be looking for a novel of the same name written by Synthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows.

This historical revisionist novel is the first in a series of six, collectively called The Lady Janies, which all spin on different historical events or stories. The sixth novel isn't out yet, and it's releasing in mid-August of the year.

Given that each novel takes a different story, you'll only need to read the one called My Lady Jane in order to watch the TV show. 

Find My Lady Jane on Amazon US here and on Amazon UK here.

Shōgun has become FX's most-watched show ever, and the network has today announced they are working to develop two further seasons of the critically acclaimed historical series. 

Per the new announcement, we know that FX, Hulu and the Estate of James Clavell (the author of the original Shōgun novel) are working together to develop two additional seasons. These new installments will include key creatives from the show's development, including co-creators, executive producers and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, Executive Producer Michael Clavell, and series star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada. 

Production times are apparently not yet locked in, though we do at least know that a Shōgun writers' room is already being assembled and will get to work this summer. Hopefully, that means we won't have to wait too long for the show's return. 

This news is no surprise, seeing as FX has confirmed that Shōgun became the network's most-watched show of all time (based on global hours streamed) through its first nine weeks. 

The series has received a ton of praise since its debut earlier this year, with many outlets proclaiming it one of, if not the best TV show of the year. At the time of writing, it holds an impressive 99% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience rating of 90%, indicating very favorable reviews indeed.

If you're unfamiliar with the series, Shōgun is an original adaptation of James Clavell's bestselling historical novel of the same name.  The story takes us back in time to Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of civil war, and follows the interlocking lives of three characters: Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), English pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) and their translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai). 

Toranaga faces the united might of his enemies on the Council of Regents. Blackthorne's European ship is found marooned in a fishing village, and he arrives bearing secrets that could well tip the scales in Toranaga's favor, whilst also devastating the influence of Blackthorne's own enemies, the Jesuit Priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga and Blackthorne's fates thus become inextricably linked with those of Mariko, a Christian noblewoman (and the last descendant of a disgraced line) who serves as their translator who is forced to reconcile her newfound link with Blackthorne, her commitment to her faith, and hr duty to her late father. 

The first season of Shōgun concluded on April 23. If you're yet to check it out, all 10 episodes are available to stream now on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus elsewhere. 

A fascinating but little-known facet of history is getting a TV adaptation when The Big Cigar rebuts on Friday, May 17, and we'll help you figure out how to watch it.

The Big Cigar depicts the story of Huey P. Newton, who was the founder of the Black Panther party. In the 1970s, when being hunted by law enforcement, Newton fled the US to Canada, under the guise of a movie production.

Starring André Holland, Tiffany Boone, Alessandro Nivola and P.J. Byrne, The Big Cigar dramatizes this chain of events over the course of six episodes.

So here's how to watch The Big Cigar online.

How to watch The Big Cigar

You will be able to watch all of The Big Cigar in one place and one place only: that's on Apple TV Plus, the streaming service owned by Apple.

Apple TV Plus costs $9.99 / £8.99 per month for its standard plan; the $/£14.99 MLS plan is for Major League Soccer streaming and it won't let you watch The Big Cigar.

The Big Cigar was created exclusively for Apple TV Plus, so it's very unlikely that you'll see it land on any other streaming services.

The Big Cigar episode release dates

The first two episodes of The Big Cigar will hit Apple TV Plus at the same time, with subsequent episodes releasing once per week. 

Here's when each episode will come out:

• Panther/Producer — Friday, May 17
• The Cuban — Friday, May 17
• Guns & Matzah — Friday, May 24
• What Are Friends For? — Friday, May 31
• Lost Paradise — Friday, June 7
• The Pirate — Friday, June 14

How to watch The Big Cigar for free

If you're not currently a subscriber to Apple TV Plus, you can sign up for a limited time at no cost, in order to test out the service.

We have a guide to the best Apple TV Plus free trials which will help new subscribers find a way to sign up for free. These range from one to twelve months long, and are mostly for subscribers to other services or plans, but some are available to anyone.

The hunt for John Wilkes Booth is on in Manhunt, a new historical thriller series based on true events, which debuts on Friday, March 15.

If you know your history, you'll know that John Wilkes Booth is infamous for being the man who assassinated American president Abraham Lincoln in a theater in 1865, shortly after the end of the American Civil War.

What you might not know is that there was a massive manhunt to find Booth, led by Lincoln's war secretary Edwin Stanton. Well, that's the story that Manhunt looks to follow, as various parties vie to capture Booth... and uncover a larger conspiracy that could cause the death toll to rise.

If this historical conspiracy drama sounds right up your alley, here's how to watch Manhunt.

How to watch Manhunt

Manhunt will be available to watch on the streaming service Apple TV Plus, as it's an original production for Apple's video platform. It joins the streamer's rapidly-growing roster of historical dramas which also includes World War II-set Masters of the Air and will soon be joined by another US history show Franklin.

Apple TV Plus costs $9.99 / £8.99 per month for a subscription. Just note that the streamer has an alternative, and more expensive, plan called Apple TV Plus MLS, however this is just for Major League Soccer and won't let you watch Manhunt!

How to watch Manhunt for free

If you want to try out Manhunt (or any other Apple TV Plus show) but don't know if you'd stick with it enough to justify the cost, you'll be happy to know that there's a way to try out the streamer for free.

Apple TV Plus offers a fair few ways to sign up for free, with some options having no strings attached and others (generally the longer ones) being open for customers of other services.

You can check out our guide to all the Apple TV Plus free trials to find one that suits you, but you can simply click below for the basic (and shortest) option.

Manhunt release date schedule

The first two episodes of Manhunt will come out on the release day of Friday, March 15, and subsequent episodes will release weekly. Here's that full release schedule:

• Episode 1 — Friday, March 15
• Episode 2 — Friday, March 15
• Episode 3 — Friday, March 22
• Episode 4 — Friday, March 29
• Episode 5 — Friday, April 5
• Episode 6 — Friday, April 12
• Episode 7 — Friday, April 19

There's a royal affair taking place in Mary & George, with the new historical Jacobean drama show which landed on Tuesday, March 5, in the UK and premieres on Friday, April 5, in the US

Based on a true story, the show is set in the Jacobean area of Britain. It follows Mary Villiers and her son George, as they plan and scheme their way into the monarchy of the country — which includes seducing King James I himself.

Starring Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galatzine, Mary & George is a great watch for fans of historical dramas that'll explore a little-known true event from British history. So history buffs must be wondering: how do I see the show?

We'll help you figure out how to watch Mary & George.

How to watch Mary & George in the US

If you live in the US, you're going to have to wait a little while to watch Mary & George.  It'll arrive in the States on Friday, April 5, a month after its release in most other places. 

You'll have to be signed up to Starz to watch Mary & George, which has replaced AMC as the official way to watch the show.

Starz costs $8.99 per month for a subscription, though you can save money by signing up for the $74.99 annual tier. There are also often deals on your first three months, that it's worth looking for.

How to watch Mary & George in the UK

You can watch Mary & George in the UK if you're signed up to Sky TV. The first episode airs on Sky Atlantic on Tuesday, March 5 at 9 pm (with repeats over the next few days), but all of the episodes can be watched on the Sky TV library already.

To watch Sky Atlantic or the VOD library, you only need to be on the basic Sky TV plan. 

Normally, this costs £26 per month if you lock in for an 18-month contract or £29 per month for a rolling plan, but there's currently a Sky TV free trial you can use to sign up for free. This is amongst other Sky TV deals running right now.

How to watch Mary & George in Australia

If you live in Australia, you can watch Mary & George using the streaming service Binge, where it's currently all available to watch.

Binge starts at just $10 per month for its cheapest plan, with a 7-day free trial giving you ways to stream for free too. There are higher tiers that offer an improved resolution for streaming and some other perks, but they cost more too.

How to watch Mary & George everywhere else

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch Mary & George, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows, movies or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

Fans of action-packed historical epics have a new must-watch show hitting screens in the form of Shogun, with the samurai drama debuting on Tuesday, February 27.

Shogun is set in Japan in the 17th century, as the country is in the midst of a large civil war. One of the lords vying for control, Yoshii Toranga, finds a European vessel shipwrecked on his coast, and the people and resources within could help him turn the tide of the war.

Based on a historical novel by James Clavell (which is itself based on real events), Shogun is the newest big-budget blockbuster show on the TV landscape, with an impressive cast and exciting story to sink into.

Less reading, more watching: here's how to watch Shogun, whether you want to do it online or on TV (where available). 

How to watch Shogun in the US

You've got two ways to watch Shogun in the US: on cable or via streaming.

If you want to watch it on cable, you'll need to use FX. On Tuesday, February 27, FX will air the first two episodes of Shogun from 10 pm ET/PT (with the second starting at the late time of 11:38 pm ET/PT), and then subsequent episodes at 10 pm ET/PT each week.

If you don't have a way to watch FX but want to, you can use several live TV streaming services to sign up including Hulu with Live TV ($76.99 per month), Fubo ($74.99 for its Pro Plan), YouTube TV ($72.99 per month) and Sling TV ($40 per month for its Sling Blue plan).

Your other option, which will be quite a bit cheaper, is to use Hulu. Episodes of Shogun will hit the streaming service on the same day as they air on FX.

Hulu costs $7.99 per month for its ad plan or $17.99 for its ad-free one, though many opt to sign up via the Disney Bundle which costs $9.99 per month and includes Disney Plus as well.

Shogun episode air dates

• Episode 1 — Tuesday, February 27
• Episode 2 — Tuesday, February 27
• Episode 3 — Tuesday, March 5
• Episode 4 — Tuesday, March 12
• Episode 5 — Tuesday, March 19
• Episode 6 — Tuesday, March 26
• Episode 7 — Tuesday, April 2
• Episode 8 — Tuesday, April 9
• Episode 9 — Tuesday, April 16
• Episode 10 — Tuesday, April 23

How to watch Shogun in the UK

You won't be able to watch Shogun on broadcast TV in the UK, leaving one option: streaming it on Disney Plus.

Episodes of Shogun will arrive on Disney's streaming service on the same day as they air in the US, and you can find the full schedule above.

Disney Plus starts at £4.99 per month for its ad-enabled plan and goes up to £7.99 for ad-free streaming and £10.99 for the Premium tier. The latter offers 4K streaming on select titles, but Shogun isn't one of them.

How to watch Shogun in Australia

As in the UK, and most of the world in fact, Shogun will be airing in Australia exclusively on Disney Plus, so you'll have to sign up in order to watch.

You don't have to worry about rival plans either, as the House of Mouse only offers one AU plan: it costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year (the latter saving you two months' worth) and doesn't have adverts.

The newest period drama from the mind behind Downton Abbey is about to return on Sunday, October 29, when The Gilded Age season 2 comes back onto our screens.

The Gilded Age is set in 1880s New York City and centers on two rival families, who came into their wealth in very different ways and have clashing cultures as a result, as they try to navigate the city's social scene.

So it's a tense period drama and if you missed out on the first run of the show you can actually watch The Gilded Age season 1 episode 1 for free, to see if you agree on whether the show is the new Downton Abbey, before the new series comes out.

But if you're already up to date on the rivalry between the van Rhijns and the Russells, then here's how to watch new episodes when The Gilded Age season 2 debuts.

How to watch The Gilded Age season 2 in the US

The Gilded Age's second season will debut on HBO on Sunday, October 29 at 9 pm ET/PT (though it'll be repeated several times through the next few days). Subsequent episodes will air at the same time slot each week. There are also options for people who don't have cable.

One of them is to get a live TV streaming service to watch HBO, as these cord-cutting tools let you stream from cable channels over the internet. Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV have it as an add-on pack for $14.99 per month (on top of their usual fees) while DirecTV has it built into its $154.99-per-month Premier tier.

Those are two pricey options, but there's a more affordable one, and that's the HBO-owned streaming service Max. Episodes of The Gilded Age will be added after their cable debut, and you can watch them anytime.

Max costs $9.99 monthly for its most affordable tier but there's a $15.99 tier that doesn't have ads, and a $19.99-per-month option for 4K and Dolby Atmos streaming (which won't affect The Gilded Age but will improve certain movies).

How to watch The Gilded Age season 2 in the UK

If you live in the UK, you'll be able to watch The Gilded Age season 2 episodes the day after they play in the US, using the streaming service Sky TV. 

You can watch on Sky Atlantic (9 pm on Monday, October 30, and weekly at the same time) or via Sky's video-on-demand library after that, and for both you only need the Entertainment tier, which costs £29 per month. 

How to watch The Gilded Age season 2 everywhere else

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch The Gilded Age season 2, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows, movies or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

One of the biggest entries in the fall / autumnal TV line-up is coming in the form of Fellow Travelers, a historical political romance drama that debuts on Friday, October 27.

Fellow Travelers tells the decades-spanning romance of two men, a politician and an idealist, who have to keep their relationship a secret in the face of McCarthyism, the Vietnam War, the AIDS crisis, and other important landmarks in American history.

So it's part romance, part thriller, part 20th-century period piece and part political drama, all based on a Thomas Mallon book. It's probably not going to be light watching, given the politics of the time, but maybe the romance against all odds will still warm your heart.

If this sounds like a show worth checking out, here's how to watch Fellow Travelers in the US, UK, Australia and everywhere else around the world.

How to watch Fellow Travelers in the US

You've got two options for watching Fellow Travelers in the US, and the first of them is Paramount Plus, where the show will premiere on Friday, October 27. Subsequent episodes will arrive weekly.

To watch the show on the streaming service, you'll need to be signed up to the $11.99-per-month Showtime tier, and the more affordable alternative won't offer you the show. 

Alternatively, you can tune into Showtime itself (the cable channel) where Fellow Travelers will play on Sunday, October 29 at 9 pm ET/PT. Subsequent episodes will air in the same time slot each week.

If you don't have Showtime in your cable package but want it, several live TV streaming services offer it as add-on plans to their various cable packages. It's in DirecTV's Premier plan ($154.99 per month) and YouTube TV's Entertainment Plus plan ($102.99 per month), though these are only economic ideas if you're looking for a live TV service anyway.

How to watch Fellow Travelers in the UK or Australia

In the UK, Australia or many other parts of the world, you can watch Fellow Travelers on Paramount Plus, with the global versions of the streamer getting the show one day after their US counterpart: that's Saturday, October 28. The rest of the series debuts weekly on the same day.

Paramount Plus costs £6.99 / AU$9.99 a month or £69.90 / AU$89 a year, and you can sign up directly on the streaming service, or as part of a Prime Video subscription as Paramount Plus is one of the Prime Video channels on offer.

How to watch Fellow Travelers everywhere else

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch Fellow Travellers, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows like the X or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch Fellow Travelers, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

The Domina season 2 cast is set for a right Roman romp on Sky Atlantic, but keeping track of who's who can be trickier than negotiating the senate's power politics!

In 2021’s Domina season 1 we followed young noblewoman, Livia Drusilla, as she battled to honor the promise she made to her late father and restore the republican state in Rome. 

The first step on that path was marrying Gaius Augustus, who became the first Emperor of Rome. Yet in a climactic series finale, Livia murdered Gaius’ nephew, Marcellus, and installed her own son Tiberius as her husband’s heir, in a move that now threatens to rip Rome’s ruling family in two. 

As the eight-part second series begins, Livia and Gaius are returning to Rome after spending three years in the Eastern provinces, to find the city in the grip of famine and the population on the brink of revolt. 

Yet it's not just their rivals who are plotting against them — some of their family are at it as well! We take a look at the most important players in Domina season 2...

Kasia Smutniak plays Livia Drusilla 

Livia Drusilla, scion of one of the Five Great Families, is married to the most powerful man in Rome, the First Citizen, Gaius Augustus (his third wife). She has sworn to avenge her father’s death and restore the Republic. Despite her brilliant political machinations, this season it will be harder than ever to achieve her goal.

Where have I seen Kasia Smutniak before? The Italian-Polish actress appeared opposite Robert Downey Jr in 2020 movie Dolittle. 

Matthew McNulty plays Gaius

Gaius Augustus, self-styled First Citizen of Rome is Emperor in all but name. He has consolidated his power thanks to the help of his wife, Livia. Their marriage and political partnership will be tested to its limits when he loses sight of how important she is to him and must risk everything to cement his standing. 

Where have I seen Matthew McNulty before? The actor has starred in a host of dramas, including The Terror, Versailles and The Musketeers.

Ben Batt plays Agrippa

Agrippa is Gaius’ closest friend and right-hand man and, along with Livia, he ensures Gaius retains a firm grip on power. He’s also Livia’s closest confidante and husband to Julia, the First Citizen’s only daughter. Despite his brotherly bond with Gaius, over the course of the season, Agrippa must make some hard decisions about the future of their friendship.

Where have I seen Ben Batt before? The British actor has starred in a number of UK-based shows, including Our Girl, The Promise and In The Dark. 

Benjamin Isaac plays Tiberius

Livia’s eldest son Tiberius is traumatised by dark memories of his childhood and abuse from his father Nero. He’s increasingly reluctant to fulfill Livia’s ambition for him and his brother with the mission to restore the Republic. Although he finds some love and light with his new wife, Vipsania, the corruption of Rome overwhelms him and he risks the destruction of his family. 

Where have I seen Benjamin Isaac before? Aside from 2020 short film The Unravelling, Tiberius is Benjamin's first on-screen role. 

Ewan Horrocks plays Drusus

Livia’s youngest son Drusus is headstrong and wilful but finds some equilibrium with his new wife Antonina. An accomplished military commander, Drusus begins to draw the envy of Gaius. Oblivious to the increased threat he poses to his Stepfather, this will lead to him paying the ultimate price for his ambitions.

Where have I seen Ewan Horrocks before? Ewan has previously appeared in Netflix's historical saga The Last Kingdom and its spin-off film Seven Kings Must Die. 

Isabelle Connoly plays Antonina

Octavia’s youngest daughter and Gaius’ favorite niece, Antonina grows into a stable and wise presence for her new husband, Drusus. She accompanies him on military campaigns and quickly endears herself to Livia — the daughter she never had. The two women work together to rein in Drusus’ ambitions but even her best efforts fall short in the end.

Where have I seen Isabelle Connoly before? Isabelle has previously starred in Netflix thriller Stay Close. 

Claire Forlani plays Octavia

Gaius’ sister, Octavia is still grieving for her murdered son, Marcellus. She holds Livia responsible and will try to throw her off course wherever she can. As time passes, the two women seem to find some common ground but Octavia will demand that Gaius exact a terrible revenge for the wrong that Livia has done her.

Where have I seen Claire Forlani before? The English actress has appeared in a slew of movies including Meet Joe Black, Mallrats, Green Street, The Rock and Black Beauty. 

Christine Bottomley plays Scribonia

Gaius’ ex-wife Scribonia (his second marriage) has always been jealous of Livia and sees an opportunity to ruin her when she starts plotting with Gaius’ lover, Gemina. She becomes preoccupied with securing her line of succession through Julia, the daughter she shares with Gaius, and is determined to preserve her legacy at the expense of Livia. 

Where have I seen Christine Bottomley before? Christine has appeared in UK-based shows such as Back To Life, EastEnders, Heartbeat, Shameless and In The Club.

Alex Lanipekun plays Tycho 

After the death of his wife, Antigone, Tycho returns to Rome with his young daughter, Aelina, to work for Livia. He is her most steadfast enforcer, whom she trusts with her life implicitly. He will go above and beyond the call of duty in her service. However, even his loyalty is tested to its limits.

Where have I seen Alex Lanipekun before? Alex is best known for his role as Ben Kaplan in BBC espionage drama Spooks. 

David Avery plays Domitius

Ambitious young aristocrat Domitius has recently joined Gaius’ family through his marriage to Octavia’s daughter, Antonia. Cunning and deceitful, he soon proves himself to be a thorn in Livia’s side. Despite his intelligence, his blindspot is underestimating Livia’s capabilities and she will come to outsmart him at every turn. He is also having an affair with Marcella.

Where have I seen David Avery before? The British actor has had roles in The Night Manager and Gangs of London.

Hannah Chinn plays Antonia 

Octavia’s eldest daughter, Antonia, is married to the smart and politically savvy aristocrat Domitius. As he grows in Gaius’ favour, pressure increases on her to have children and provide an heir. Domitius is frequently cruel and manipulative to her behind closed doors but Antonia has limited options to turn to and it’s up to Livia to ultimately intervene to keep her niece safe.

Where have I seen Hannah Chinn before? Hannah starred opposite Colm Meaney in 2021 film There's Always Hope. 

Joelle plays Vipsania 

Agrippa’s daughter, Vipsania, refuses to play the conventional power games expected of Roman aristocratic life. She is happily married to fellow outsider, Tiberius, and is able to tame his more destructive instincts. She is a key force for good in her husband’s life but this will come crashing down when Tiberius is forced to choose between his wife and his mother. 

Where have I seen Joelle before? The English singer and actor made her screen debut in Hollywood blockbuster Dune back in 2021. 

Aläis Lawson plays Marcella 

Marcella shares her mother Octavia’s suspicion and hatred of Livia because of her brother’s murder. Stuck in a loveless marriage with Iullus, she’s embarked on an illicit affair with Domitius. Both manipulative and vengeful characters they’re well-suited to each other but when she falls pregnant and Iullus refuses to claim paternity for another man’s child, she’s faced with an impossible dilemma.

Where have I seen Aläis Lawson before? Aläis appeared alongside Carey Mulligan in 2018 BBC drama Collateral. 

Liah O'Prey plays Julia

Gaius’ daughter Julia continues her illicit affair with Iullus despite being married to Agrippa. The threat of this secret coming to light compels her to throw herself at the mercy of Livia. When circumstances conspire to force her into an unwanted marriage to Tiberius, Julia’s life takes a darker turn and she sets off on a dangerous path of self-destruction.

Where have I seen Liah O'Prey before? The Spanish-born Irish-French actress has previously starred in 2018 history film Mary Queen of Scots and TV series Marie Antoinette. 

Joseph Ollman plays Iullus

Octavia’s stepson Iullus is unhappily married to Marcella and continuing his affair with Julia. When it’s discovered that Julia’s been unfaithful, there’s a real risk he will pay with his life. Livia intervenes and saves his skin but things between him and Julia will never be the same again and he struggles to assert himself in the shifting power dynamics of Rome. 

Where have I seen Joseph Ollman before? Joseph has had roles in TV shows such as Industry, Knightfall and Vampire Academy. 

Darrell D'Silva plays Piso

The closest thing Livia has to a father figure, Piso, remains determined to help her in her mission to restore the Republic. He is consigliere and wise counsel in her moments of greatest need and will be by her side when Livia faces her most lethal threat. 

Where have I seen Darrell D'Silva before? Darrell has had a long and distinguished career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and screen roles in Van Der Valk, Informer and even an Ironborn in season 6 of Game of Thrones. 

Domina season 2 is arriving on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Wednesday, September 13 2023 and is available to watch in the US on MGM+

One of Sky's hit Game of Thrones rivals is back: Domina season 2 is set to bring us more Roman drama and action when it returns on Sunday, July 9.

Domina follows Livia, the wife of Roman emperor Augustus Caeser who gets a front-row seat to all the political infighting, empire-building drama and war that the Roman empire was known for, and unlike many other historical epics it's told from a woman's perspective.

The second season of Domina follows the fracturing marriage of Livia, with her enemies sharpening their blades (literally as well as metaphorically) and her family potentially in the firing line.

So if you're excited for more Roman action, senate conflict and scheming, here's how to watch Domina season 2 from where you are.

How to watch Domina season 2 in the US

If you live in the US, you'll be able to use streaming service MGM Plus (formerly EPIX) to watch Domina's second season. It joins the first season on the platform, and you can find it here.

The first two episodes of the season land at once on Sunday, July 9, and the subsequent six come out weekly from then.

MGM Plus is a $5.99 per month after a 7-day free trial. You can access the platform via a Prime Video channel (find here) which has the same library and price.

How to watch Domina season 2 in the UK

Given that Domina is made by Sky, you can guess where you'll need to go to watch season 2 in the UK: Sky TV. Oh, and also Now TV. Both streamers get the first two episodes on Sunday, July 9, with the next six coming out each week on the same day.

Now TV costs £9.99 per month for its Entertainment plan, making it your most affordable option if you're signing up just for the show. Sky TV costs £26 per month for its Entertainment & Netflix plan, which you'll need for Domina.

How to watch X everywhere else

In most regions, Domina season 2 is coming to either MGM Plus or Sky, but in many regions, like Europe, it's only coming out on Friday, September 8.

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch Domina season 2, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows like Domina season 2 or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

Blood, Sex & Royalty is a Netflix docudrama with a modern twist that tells the doomed love story of King Henry VIII (Max Parker) and his second wife, Anne Boleyn (Amy James-Kelly).

It combines historians' knowledge with steamy scripted drama that offers an insight into the lives of the Tudor monarchs, as well as the extraordinary Anne Boleyn, who was a freethinker that rewrote the rules.

The three-part series is fronted by two soap stars, so let's see who is part of the cast in this royal retelling...

Who's who in the Blood, Sex & Royalty cast?

Amy James-Kelly as Anne Boleyn

Amy James-Kelly plays the titular role of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife who rises to become Queen of England. 

She is forced to face dangerous sexual politics and overhauls King Henry VIII's worldview with her outspoken ways. However, she's expected to give birth to a male heir and makes explosive enemies during her reign.

Amy is best known for playing Maddie Heath in Coronation Street from 2013 to 2015 and has since gone on to star in Safe, Three Families, The Bay and Military Wives.

Max Parker as King Henry VIII

Max Parker stars as England's most notorious monarch, King Henry VIII. He falls in love with Anne while he is still married to Catherine of Aragon and desperately tries to find a way out of the marriage in order to go after Anne.

Max shot to stardom for his role of Luke Posner in Emmerdale and has acted in Love Sarah, COBRA and Vampire Academy.

Lois Brabin-Platt as Mary Boleyn

Lois Brabin-Platt is Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister and King Henry VIII's mistress.

Lois had a minor a role in soapland, playing a Sonographer in EastEnders and has starred in Bull, The Bezonians, Original Gangster and Righteous Villains.

Callum Coates as Cardinal Wolsey

Callum Coates portrays Cardinal Wolsey, a Catholic Bishop who was a trusted advisor to King Henry VIII and made him Lord Chancellor. King Henry VIII ordered Thomas Wolsey to negotiate his marriage annulment to Catherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn.

Callum's acting credits include Grace, Emmerdale, The Crown, Outlander, The Witcher, Gentleman Jack and more.

Stephen Fewell as Thomas Cromwell

Stephen Fewell plays Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer and statesman who was chief minister to King Henry VIII. King Henry VIII turned to Thomas to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He masterminded the country's religious reform, which saw the break away from Catholicism and the formation of the Church of England.

Stephen has previously acted in The King, Knightfall, No Trace of Accelerator and The Girlfriend Experience.

Who else stars in Blood, Sex & Royalty?

Also starring in Blood, Sex & Royalty are..

• Jhon Lumsden as George Boleyn
• Adam Astill as Thomas Boleyn
• Nikhita Lesler as Lady Worcester
• Sophie Boettge as Jane Boleyn
• Matas Dirginčius as King Francis
• Georgia Sansom as Marguerite D'Angouleme

Blood, Sex & Royalty is available to watch on Netflix now.

Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) has become one of our most idiosyncratic filmmakers working today, delivering movies that are as obsessed with extreme historical accuracy as they are with the psychological depths of their characters. 

The director’s latest, The Northman, which he co-wrote with Icelandic author Sjón (Lamb), is probably his most ambitious film in terms of pure bloody spectacle. While it might not be nearly so impressive on a thematic level as his other work, it’s a remarkable movie that explores the lengths a man will go to in order to live up to the legacy of his father and the myths that informed his upbringing.

If you’ve seen The Northman trailer, you already have a firm grasp of the plot’s thrust from Alexander Skarsgård’s delivery of the line "I will avenge you father. I will save you mother. I will kill you Fjölnir." In a blatant 10th-century reinterpretation of Hamlet, Prince Amleth (Skarsgård) seeks revenge on his regicidal uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang) after the death of his father (Ethan Hawke) and the abduction of his mother (Nicole Kidman). 

Surviving as a refugee, Amleth develops into a musclebound village raider. He learns that Fjölnir has fled to Iceland to start anew, so he disguises himself as a slave and boards a boat bound for his uncle’s colony. His only ally is a fellow slave and witch named Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy), who sees Amleth as her chance at freedom, providing a cunning mind to back up Amleth’s aggressive brawn.

This sets the stage for a surprisingly straightforward story from Eggers, though the plot is not without its twists and turns that make for playful variations on its Shakespearian inspiration. The focus is more intentionally directed at the film’s sense of place and atmosphere. This may present itself in the form of period-authentic lodging and costume design, in the mythic gravitas of Amleth’s confrontations with the supernatural or in the explicitly gruesome bouts of violence that inevitably result in blood and viscera splattered everywhere. 

The Northman isn’t shy about showing you the horrifying ways in which human and animal bodies are mere commodities for combat, sport, ritual and sacrifice — an early raid on a village rather quickly displays where the moral compass is pointed at this period of history. Yet these images are presented not simply to disturb the audience, but to show the natural consequences of a culture where most individual lives are not valued.

What is valued, however, is the mythology that permeates their lives. Whether Amleth is receiving drug-clouded advice from shamans and witches, confronting supernatural horrors that may only exist in his childlike imagination or dreaming of his ascension to Valhalla as a hero of vengeance, The Northman is constantly mixing the beliefs of its characters with the bleak reality of their circumstances. This stylistic choice should be no surprise to fans of Eggers’ other movies, but here it seems to be the primary thematic point, a deconstruction of a classical revenge narrative by showing how stories and idol worship might convince a traumatized child they need to grow up into a vicious killer to uphold their familial honor.

This makes Alexander Skarsgård a perfect casting choice for the role of Amleth. His familiar tendencies as an actor perfectly reflects the prince’s stunted emotional growth as he keeps all emotion repressed under a thin veil of stoic rage. This is supported by a wealth of great performances, from Bang investing Fjölnir with his own sense of familial duty, to Olga acting as a much-needed emotional release for Amleth, to Nicole Kidman delivering a shocking performance that completely subverts first impressions.

There isn’t anything explicitly wrong with The Northman — though the runtime (more than two hours) might feel a little arduous if you aren’t prepared for it — but it feels a bit lacking when placed in the context of Eggers' other, superior work. 

The Northman's priorities are in transporting audiences to a time and place that is nasty and brutal, depicting the kind of people that would thrive in such a social and natural environment, and revealing as to how their stories and myths might reinforce their brutishness. That may not be mindblowing, but it’s certainly compelling in its own right. The Northman delivers on its purpose in bloody, gory spades.

The Northman is now playing in UK theatres and will open theatrically in the US on April 22.

You need a guide to the best historical TV shows as there are so many of them!

Whether you're searching for a lavish costume drama, a peek inside royal palaces, or to get caught up in a gritty story of rebellion, robbery and resistance, there’s nothing better than getting lost in a rich historical drama. 

The only problem is where to start? To help, here’s our guide to the best historical dramas available to stream right now. We’ve divided it into genres so everybody can find the right period piece to suit their tastes. 

The best historical TV shows to watch right now

Period Dramas

'Bridgerton'

Bridgerton nearly broke the internet with its sizzling scenes of passion between its gorgeous cast. But for more traditional tastes, there’s still plenty to enjoy.

A lavish period drama based around the eight siblings of the aristocratic Bridgerton family as they look for love in the competitive social scene of Regency-era London.

It looks divine, is great fun and is full of lust and scandal. The action begins as Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the oldest Bridgerton daughter is announced onto the social scene to find herself a suitable husband. But her over-protective brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), ruins her chances as no man matches up to his exacting standards.

The intense sense of desperation to find a suitable match is only increased by the writings of Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), who publishes a pamphlet discussing who’s hot and who’s not in the dating scene.

And just as Daphne is about to lose all hope of finding her Mr Right, the dashing Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) comes up with a cunning plan to help them both navigate the choppy waters of Regency relationships…

Why watch: A thoroughly modern take on the period drama genre with a great young cast. Plus, Bridgerton season 2 is already being made, with a released date of some time in 2022, check out the trailer below. And if that wasn’t exciting enough seasons 3 and 4 have also already been commissioned. 

Where to Watch: Netflix

Seasons: 1 

Episodes: 8

Average Running time: 61 mins

'Downton Abbey'

While this lavish period drama is certainly more sedate than its racier Bridgerton cousin, it's still an iconic historical drama that you mustn't miss. 

Over the course of six seasons the drama follows the fortunes of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic staff, which call the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey home.

The grand house is led by Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, (Hugh Bonneville) and his American heiress wife Cora Levinson (Elizabeth McGovern). The couple have three daughters, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) plus Dame Maggie Smith plays Robert’s acid-tongued mother Violet. The ‘downstairs’ staff are led by more acting giants including Jim Carter as butler Mr Carson and Joanna Froggatt as lady’s maid Anna.

Written and created by Julian Fellowes the first series begins in 1912 as the family discovers the Titanic has sunk along with the male heir of the estate, who was betrothed to Lady Mary. The new heir is a distant male cousin named Matthew, played by Dan Stevens, who arrives at the estate and quickly ruffles a few well-preened feathers.  

Why watch: Set at the real country estate of Highclere Castle in Hampshire, which is currently home to the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, it’s gorgeous to look at as the castle itself becomes one of the stars of the show. 

Plus, if six seasons are just not enough then check out the film, which is now also available on Netflix.

Where to Watch: BritBox/Amazon Prime

Seasons: 6

Episodes: 52

Average Running time: 49 mins

• Downton Abbey: A New Era

'Poldark'

A historical drama set in 1783 as Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) returns from fighting in the American War of Independence to his home in Cornwall.

But during the three years he spent in the army, life back in Blighty has very much changed. His father Joshua has died, leaving his estate in ruins and in debt and his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth is engaged to his cousin Francis.

As he sets about rebuilding his life he meets a young woman called Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) at the market and falls in love. The rest of the series, based on the books by Winston Graham, follows Poldark’s life as he and Demelza build a future together.

Why watch: The coastal and rural county of Cornwall looks stunning as does the handsome Aidan Turner as the charismatic protagonist. Watch out for episode 3 of the first season as Poldark’s shirtless scything of his crops caused quite a stir!

Where to Watch: Netflix/Amazon Prime

Seasons: 5

Episodes: 43

Average Running time: 57 mins

• What to watch after Poldark

'Call the Midwife'

This brilliant series follows the work and lives of a group of midwives and nuns in the East End of London, beginning in the 1950s.

Based on the memoirs of a real midwife, Jennifer Worth, it’s a heart-warming and comforting watch but one that never shies away from tackling tough issues including miscarriage, illness and prejudice.

The first season begins as newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee, (Jessica Raine) gets to grips with caring for the women of East London, a poverty-stricken area of the capital.

The cast is outstanding with Jenny Agutter and Judy Parfitt just two of the stalwarts featuring in the series, plus it’s also narrated by the soothing tones of Vanessa Redgrave, who acts as the voice of the older Jenny.

Why watch: It just isn’t Christmas unless there’s a Call the Midwife special on. Since the first series aired on the BBC in 2012, every Christmas Day has aired a new special and there’s usually snow, heart-warming and emotional drama, plus the pitter patter of beautiful tiny new feet – what’s not to love!?

Where to Watch: Netflix/ iPlayer

Seasons: 8

Episodes: 72

Avg Running time: 56 mins

Royal historical TV shows

If queens and kings are your thing then there is plenty to enjoy as we guide you through the best royal historical dramas.

'The Crown'

For anyone interested in the British Royal Family this is must see viewing. The series follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from just before her coronation in 1953 up until the 1990s, so far.

The actors playing the cast changes every two seasons, with Claire Foy taking on the role of Queen in the first two as the young princess married her prince, the dashing Philip Mountbatten (Matt Smith), faced the sudden death of her father King George VI and then took the throne herself at the age of 27.

In seasons three and four Olivia Colman takes over the regal role, while Imelda Staunton dons the crown for The Crown season 5 (due to be released in Nov 2022, see below for a message from Imelda herself) and six.

Why watch: It’s just too much fun guessing how much is fact or fiction? While obviously based closely on true historical events, this is a drama and not a documentary, but still, it is fun to feel like a fly on the very expensive wallpaper of Buckingham Palace!

Where to Watch: Netflix

Seasons: 4 (two more are coming)

Episodes: 40

Average Running time: 56 mins

'Victoria'

Jenna Coleman plays the young Queen Victoria as this series follows the monarch during the early years of her 63-year reign, the second longest in history, only being beaten by the UK’s present monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

The first series follows the 18-year-old as she takes the throne for the first time and the weight of such a role falls on her very young shoulders. She forms a close bond with her advisor Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell), far too close for some and then meets and marries Prince Albert (Tom Hughes), a young German prince. 

Why watch: Jenna is brilliant as the young queen and there’s a great chemistry between her and Tom, plus there’s a stellar supporting cast and it looks suitably fabulous. 

Where to Watch: BritBox in the UK and Amazon Prime Video in the US.

Seasons: 3

Episodes: 25

Average Running time: 46 mins

'The Spanish Princess'

It’s 1501 and the young and beautiful Catherine of Aragon leaves her native Spain to travel to England to meet her soon-to-be husband Prince Arthur. A lot rests on their young shoulders as their marriage is set to unite the two countries, bringing security and wealth to both.

This is the third series based on the books by Philippa Gregory, The White Queen, (2013) and The White Princess (2017) are both still available on Starzplay, should you wish to completely immerse yourself in Tudor England. 

Catherine’s arrival in England is a culture shock for the young woman used to the warmth and luxuries of her homeland. On her first meeting with the young nervous Prince he teaches her the many words she can use for rain, which doesn’t exactly help the feisty princess feel at home. 

She also discovers that the author of the love letters sent to her in Spain were not from her betrothed Arthur but his younger brother Henry, which is devastating news at first, but will prove to be quite useful when poor Arthur doesn't last long.

Why watch: A great story about an often overlooked figure in history. It also looks beautiful with the most sumptuous costumes. It has a great cast, with Charlotte Hope as the feisty Catherine and Harriet Walter and Laura Carmichael as Lady Margaret Beaufort and Lady Margaret Pole.

Where to Watch: Starzplay

Seasons: 2

Episodes: 17

Average Running time: 55 mins

Historical action TV shows

With epic battle scenes, plenty of heroes and some hearty plundering and pillaging, here are our top picks of historical dramas that pack an action-filled punch. 

'Vikings'

A blood-covered face surveys a body-scattered battleground in the first few moments of the epic series-opener to Vikings. The hero of the battlefield is Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), a fearless farmer, warrior and protagonist of this action-packed series. Over the course of six seasons viewers follow his adventures as he embarks on a daring voyage across the unknown sea from his Scandinavian home to England. 

In episode one we meet his family, his equally strong and fearless wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and his two children. Life is hard, tough and dirty but Ragnar is ambitious and has plans to explore new lands to the west, where he believes great riches will be found. 

On their first daring raid, they land on the island of Lindisfarne, which as you can imagine, given the Vikings reputation, is not a good day for the monks who already call it home. 

Why watch: The characters are strong and fearless and it’s hard not to get caught up in their sense of adventure and single-minded determination to explore, conquer and rob. It’s fast-paced and full of action, but it’s also violent and explicit, so it’s not for the easily offended.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Seasons: 6

Episodes: 89

Average Running time: 43 mins

• The best TV shows with Vikings

'Band of Brothers'

This Emmy-award-winning series was released in 2001, but is still one of the best historical war dramas there is.

It’s based on the experience of E Company, the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, as they face some of the heaviest fighting of the Second World War. The battle scenes are epic, as is the emotion, as the effects of fighting this brutal and chaotic war takes its toll on many of the brave young soldiers.

Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and with an all star cast, including Damian Lewis and David Schwimmer, this is a historical drama that hits the mark on all levels.  

Why watch: Historical storytelling at its absolute best. They only made one season (and at the time it was the most expensive miniseries ever made), but fans of war drama should also check out The Pacific, which follows the exploits of US soldiers as they battle the Japanese army.

Where to Watch: HBO in the US, or to buy on Amazon Prime Video or with a subscription to NOW TV in the UK.

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 10

Average Running time: 49 - 70 mins

'Barbarians'

A German production based on the occupation of Germany by Roman troops in 9AD. The action evolves around the suppression of the Germanic people that led to a rebellion that stopped the mighty Roman army in its tracks and changed the course of history.

The series begins as Roman troops gallop into a village demanding more taxes than the poor inhabitants can afford. But without unity between the warring Germanic tribes, they have little choice but to pay up to stop the Romans murdering their people and destroying their village.

Outnumbered by the all-powerful Romans it seems the villagers have little choice but to accept the unfair and violent rule, except for a small group who just won’t let their way of life be destroyed without an almighty fight. 

Watch out for a nice twist at the end of the first episode, the Romans aren’t always who you think they are…

Why watch: A classic David and Goliath tale that looks fabulous and is full of action and adventure. It is of course violent and bloody, but then you wouldn’t expect anything less from a historical drama about a hard-won rebellion. It’s also been renewed for a second season, so there’s plenty more action to enjoy.  

Where to Watch: Netflix

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 6

Average Running time: 46 mins

• Barbarians season 2

'The Last Kingdom'

Vikings are the theme once again in this series that focuses on the Saxon perspective as they are attacked by the invading Danes.

The action begins as a Saxon fort is destroyed, actor Matthew McFadden briefly plays the King before his youngest son, Uhtred, is taken as a slave by the victorious vikings. But the courageous young boy eventually enjoys life with his new viking family, who respect his warrior-like character and bravery.

Tragedy strikes however when the viking settlement is attacked the night before a wedding and only Uhtred and another former Saxon slave called Brida survive. Uhtred wants revenge on the murderers of his adopted family, which sets him on a bloodthirsty course that will see him fight his own family to honour those he lost. 

Why watch: Uhtred (played by Alexander Dreymon) is a strong and interesting character as he must fight his own family to win back what he lost, a nice conflict of interest which adds to the complexity of the series. 

Where to Watch: Netflix

Seasons: 4

Episodes: 36

Average Running time: 60 mins

'Outlander'

This intriguing series, based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, centres on a nurse who mysteriously falls back in time by 200 years. It starts during the Second World War as capable medic Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) treats badly injured soldiers. 

After the war is over, Claire goes on a second honeymoon with her husband Frank (Tobias Menzies) to the Scottish Highlands. While visiting an ancient stone circle, Claire falls back in time to 1743 and finds herself being chased by English Redcoats, led by an ancestor of her husband.

It sounds a little bonkers but the quality of the cast and writing makes this utterly believable and enthralling. Claire is rescued from an attack by an English soldier by a group of Scottish warriors, including the handsome Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan.

Why watch: An inventive and imaginative series with a great cast that spans not just one but two historical periods. It’s also been confirmed that season six will be released sometime in 2022, with a seventh to follow that. 

Where to Watch: Netflix and Starz in the US and Starz and Amazon Prime Video in the UK

Seasons: 5

Episodes: 67

Avg Running time: 58 mins

• Outlander Season 6

'Black Sails'

Toby Stephens is Captain Flint, the boss of a motley crew of pirates in this big budget series that’s gone from strength to strength, attracting more fans with each swashbuckling series.

The action begins as Flint and his crew attack a passing ship, but the loot is poor and the crew are getting restless. Flint has a plan for a big haul of Spanish gold but he needs to find it first.

There’s a large cast of pirates, captains, feisty women and sailors up to no good and all of them change their allegiances faster than their sails, so buckle up and get ready to ride the waves. 

Why watch: A swashbuckling adventure brought up to date with plenty of action and strong characters. It looks beautiful, being set in the Caribbean but filmed in South Africa, but it's also explicit and violence so it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Where to Watch: Starzplay

Seasons: 4

Episodes: 38

Avg Running time: 58 mins

'Knightfall'

A historical drama that follows the trials and tribulations of The Knights Templar, the mysterious legion of warrior monks charged with protecting pilgrims across the globe.

The series begins in Acre in the Holy Land as the Knights Templar lose the city and Christianity’s most precious relic – the Holy Grail. Fifteen years later one of those knights, Landry de Lauzon (Tom Cullen) is in Paris, frustrated by the lack of action of the order. ‘What are we for?’ he asks furiously.

But Landry is soon back in the thick of it after his mentor and Master of the Templars, Godfrey, is assassinated and he discovers a plot to murder all the Jews living in Paris. 

Why watch: A historical drama full of big bloody battles and brave and noble warriors. 

Where to Watch: Netflix

Seasons: 2

Episodes: 18

Average Running time: 43 mins

Fantasy TV shows

For nine years, eight seasons and 73 episodes one fantasy show has dominated, Game of Thrones. Check out our guide below if you're still wondering what all the fuss is about or check out the new fantasy show in town – The Witcher. 

'Game of Thrones'

It’s one of the biggest TV series of recent times winning critical acclaim, multiple awards and a hugely dedicated fan-base. Based on the books of George R. R. Martin, it is set in medieval times as a civil war is erupting. 

The series is complex with multiple plot lines, although the first series is set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos and focuses on the battle for the ‘Iron Throne,’ the seat of the king of the Seven Kingdoms. It also has a huge cast including Sean Bean, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington.

Why watch: If you haven’t already lost hours of your life to this series then aren’t you intrigued to see what all the fuss is about? It’s ambitious with great characters and epic special effects. It’s also very violent so despite what the rest of the world says, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Where to Watch: HBO Max in US, Sky/NOW TV in UK

Seasons: 8

Episodes: 73

Average Running time: 50 - 82 mins

'The Witcher'

Henry Cavill stars as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter or witcher, in this fantasy medieval drama based on the novels of Polish writer Andrzej Saplowski. 

In the first episode Geralt is charged with killing a human called Renfi, who a sorcerer called Stregobor believes is evil because she was born during an eclipse and was cursed by the black sun. But Geralt is no fool and doesn’t always do what he is told. 

Elsewhere, the kingdom of Cintra is attacked and the Queen sends away her granddaughter, Princess Cirilla, to find Geralt because as she mysteriously tells the young girl, 'he is your destiny' and the world depends upon it. 

The Witcher season 2 will be released on December 17 2021 and a third has been commissioned so there’s plenty more to enjoy.

Why watch: It’s exciting and fast-paced with epic battle scenes, plus a hearty dose of magic and mayhem. Cavill is great as the troubled outsider and the special effects are brilliant.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 8

Avg Running time: 61 mins

Historical crime TV shows

Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad in days gone by, but this series below is seriously addictive, so clear your diary and enjoy the darker side of city life. 

'Peaky Blinders'

Set in Birmingham in 1919, just after the end of WWII, this dark and powerful drama follows the exploits of the gangster Shelby family. Led by Thomas ‘Tommy’ Shelby (Cillian Murphy), his brother Arthur (Paul Anderson) and Aunt Polly (the late Helen McCrory), they rule the rough streets of the city with a rod of iron.

In the first episode, we meet the crime family, new barmaid Grace (Annabelle Wallis), and also Major Chester Campbell, played by the brilliant Sam Neill, as he is sent over from Belfast to clean up the streets of Birmingham. His first task is to investigate the theft of some guns and his first target is Arthur Shelby, who certainly feels the strong arm of the law!

Why watch: It’s violent and dark but totally enthralling with an outstanding cast.

Where to Watch: Netflix/iPlayer

Seasons: 5

Episodes: 30

Avg Running time: 56 mins

The duo are known for playing cousins Kerry and Kurtan.

This Country creators Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper are working on a new historical series together.

The real life brother and sister duo are known for the BBC Three mockumentary, but have teased that the new project is "very different".

Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, Daisy May revealed they'd been using lockdown to think up a new series.

Teasing the details, Daisy May said, "Charlie and I have started writing our new thing, which is very, very different. It’s a period thing and it couldn’t be more different from This Country but it’s funny.”

They especially enjoyed writing new characters, adding, "Because with This Country, we couldn’t kind of write names for names, like for famous actors, it would have to be unknown.

"So this is actually quite funny to have an actor in mind and be able to write a part for them specifically. It’s very, very early days but we’re really enjoying it."

Not much is known about the new project, including a title, so we'll have to stay tuned to find out more about it.

This Country was a real hit for the duo, winning BAFTA and Royal Television Society awards for its hilarious portrayal of life in the Cotswolds. This Country, which started in 2007, ran for a total of 19 episodes over three series. The last series went out earlier this year.

Daisy May played Kerry Mucklowe, and almost exclusively wore Swindon football shirts throughout the series.

It's not known if they'll set their latest series in the same area, or if they'll be filming elsewhere.

Recently, Daisy May Cooper appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside dad Paul, who also had a role in This Country.

We can't wait to see the new series!