Top 10 Historically Accurate Moments in Period Dramas

#10: The Opera War

“The Gilded Age” (2022-)

New money Bertha Russell is determined to climb to the top of the New York elite. But without a box at the Academy of Music, she will never be counted as one of society’s leading ladies. Shut out by old money gatekeeping sensibilities, Bertha does what any robberbaron’s wife would do: she champions the foundation of the Metropolitan Opera instead. Though Bertha is a fictional character, this sequence of events on “The Gilded Age” mirrors a real social clash where established grand dames like Lina Astor tried to shut out newly wealthy industrialists by maintaining the exclusivity of certain institutions. But the old guard were vastly outnumbered, and as we see in the show, their attempt to ignore the changing tides only diminished their prominence faster.

#9: The Curse

“Rome” (2005-07)

Film renderings of ancient Rome are practically as old as the medium itself. But this woefully short-lived HBO series is a stand out among them for its ability to take viewers street level, to experience the city the way the ancient Romans would have actually known it. “Rome” shows us everything from the social order, to business dealings, to religious rituals with a strong eye for authenticity. One particularly noteworthy scene comes as Julius Caesar’s scorned lover Servilia seeks out divine retribution against him and his scheming niece, Attia. Servilia’s curse is based on ones found on lead curse tablets recovered from archaeological digs. We kind of have to admire how thorough Roman ill-wishers were.

#8: The Aberfan Disaster

“The Crown (2016-23)

In a show that so adeptly blended historical realism with dramatic license, it can be hard to single out one moment as its most accurate. But among them all, the show’s portrayal of the Aberfan Disaster is certainly its most memorable. In October of 1966, a coal tip became destabilized by rain and slid down into the Welsh village of Aberfan, where it consumed a school and a number of houses. Not only does “The Crown” capture the horror of the event, but the ensuing grief and tragedy as the villagers worked to find their loved ones and neighbors. As in the episode, Queen Elizabeth delayed visiting Aberfan for more than a week. It was reportedly her greatest regret in her long tenure on the throne.

#7: Wool Waulking

“Outlander” (2014-)

This century-spanning romance has been praised for the way it captured big moments, like the doomed stand of the Highlanders at the Battle of Culloden. However, it’s the depiction of the mundane pieces of the 18th century that give the show its texture. When she’s left to her own devices in a small village, the local women conscript Claire to assist them in wool waulking. As well as softening and thickening newly woven wool fabric, the process helped to make it water-repellent. And ensured it kept its color. Well, they did it that way for centuries, so it obviously worked. From the activity itself to the traditional Scottish waulking songs we hear, “Outlander” gives us a glimpse of an everyday moment lived by thousands of women in the past.

#6: The Moon Landing

“Mad Men” (2007-15)

It’s hard to imagine in the days of streaming and algorithms, but once upon a time we did share big tent cultural resets where we all experienced the same thing at the same time. 1969’s moon landing was one of the most famous shared moments of the twentieth century. “Mad Men” always excelled at situating its plots amidst bigger historical moments, and this is no exception. We see the ubiquity of the Moon Landing coverage, as well as the varying reactions to it. Sally may be parroting someone else’s opinion here, but it helps ground this moment in realism by rubbing the nostalgic veneer off the past as only “Mad Men” could. It’s one of the best examples of the show subtly pointing out that the past was never as straightforward as we like to believe.

#5: The Kantō Massacre

“Pachinko” (2022-)

As exquisite as it is underrated, this sprawling, multi-generational story manages to capture multiple eras in Korean and Japanese history with keen specificity. However, no episode has been as heartbreakingly visceral as the one depicting the Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The event devastated the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, as well as much of the surrounding region. As a result, protagonist Hansu, a young ethnically Korean man, loses first his father and then his future. But things only get worse. In the chaos that followed the earthquake, Korean immigrants, already heavily discriminated against, were scapegoated, and vigilante mobs formed to hunt them down. Over 6,000 innocent people lost their lives in the violence. The episode’s a hard watch on its own, but knowing it happened for real is nothing short of gutting.

#4: Anne Boleyn’s Execution

“Wolf Hall” (2015; 2024)

Anne’s life and death were history defining events even in her own time, and meticulous records were made of her final moments on earth. Natalie Dormer’s regal and resolved demeanor as Anne in “The Tudors” is consistent with contemporary accounts of the Queen’s behavior on the block. Claire Foy’s performance in “Wolf Hall” is more subdued as she takes her leave. However, tiny details are reportedly correct, like the French executioner wearing soft shoes, to try and keep Anne relaxed, and calling out for the sword he already had in hand to get her head in the right position. We also see her ladies taking care of her body afterwards, which lines up with historical fact, and reflects Anne as someone more nuanced than the villain she was painted as.

#3: The Boston Massacre Trial

“John Adams” (2008)

This miniseries sought to take the mythologizing sheen off the United States’ founding, whether in the very lived-in production design, or the decision to include the more obnoxious aspects of John Adams’ personality. But we also see him as a man of very strong principles. Those principles are on display when he agrees to serve as defense counsel for British soldiers accused of murder during the Boston Massacre. Though the decision didn’t win Adams any fans among his neighbors, it demonstrated his commitment to the rule of law, which the series depicted in nuanced scenes based on primary source accounts of the trial. Abigail Adams’ contribution is included as well. In dialogue sourced from diaries and letters, we can fully appreciate the Adams marriage as a partnership between intellectual equals.

#2: Noh Drama

“Shōgun” (2024-)

Thanks to a granular attention to detail, 17th century Japan came to life in this acclaimed series following the fictionalised rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Far beyond just nailing the costumes and sets, the creative team sought to immerse the audience in the period by recreating a way of life. This commitment especially shines in a scene showcasing the traditional Japanese dance-drama called Noh. The production commissioned an original piece by the Hōshō Noh Theatre, who also supplied performers for the episode. The company has been active since the 14th century, and some of its current members are descendants of Noh artists who performed for the actual Tokugawa Shoguns. What we’re privileged to see on screen is not historical reenacment, it is living history.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The King’s Speech, “Downton Abbey” (2010-15)

The Royal Embrace of Technology Marked a Huge Turning Point for Public Relations & Received Both Skepticism & Enthusiasm Accordingly

Surgery, “The Artful Dodger” (2023-)

Jack Dawkins May Be Fictional, but Every Surgery Scene on the Show Was Based on a Historical Medical Case

The Madness of King George, “Bridgerton” (2020-) & “Queen Charlotte” (2023)

Increasingly Frequent Episodes of Mental Illness Eventually Forced King George III Out of Public Life

Anne Lister’s Diaries, “Gentleman Jack” (2019-22)

Not Only Did We See the Historical Anne’s Coded Writing on Screen, but the Text She Left- Over 4 Million Words- Served as a Guide for the Show

The List, “Harlots” (2017-19)

“Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies,” A Directory & Review of London’s Sex Workers, Was Indeed Published Annually in Book Form in 18th Century London

#1: “Day of Days”

“Band of Brothers” (2001)

Considered a gold standard for World War II depictions on screen, “Band of Brothers,” built its narrative on the testimonies of the soldiers who served in the ironically named Easy Company. Their role in the D-Day operation was not to storm the beaches, but to drop in behind enemy lines. Easy Company’s use of small unit tactical strikes, like the Brécourt Manor Assault, were essential for weakening and disrupting their German targets. In fact, they’re still held up as the model for that kind of military engagement. “Day of Days” diligently recreates these events, showing us how numerous individual actions stacked up into the Allied victory that changed the course of the war. Tactile and personal, this episode puts viewers inside history with striking realism.

Which period TV shows utterly transports you? Tell us about it in the comment section.