Some of the most compelling stories are not set in the future, but in the past. Historical periods have always inspired great film and television because behind every decade, political shift, and social upheaval lie people, conflicts, and events that deserve to be rediscovered.
If you enjoy historical dramas, period films, and stories that transport you to another era, this list brings together titles that combine real events, compelling characters, and the atmosphere of past decades. From political conspiracies and social scandals to crime, changes in the media landscape, and deeply personal dramas – these series set in the past prove that history can be as gripping as the finest fiction.
Among period dramas, the most memorable are often those that do more than simply recreate a particular era; they explore how people lived, thought, and faced the challenges of their time. That is exactly why series with a historical backdrop have become increasingly popular in recent years. They offer a winning combination of outstanding production values, engaging storylines, and themes that remain strikingly relevant even today.
From London in the 1960s and the fight against extremism, to major criminal investigations and television newsrooms in the 1980s, here is a selection of titles that will appeal to fans of historical dramas, British television, and stories inspired by real events.
Why are historical dramas such a hit among viewers once again?
Historical dramas have become much more than stories about the past. Although they take us back to different decades, they often explore issues that are still relevant today, power struggles, social divisions, political manoeuvring, injustice, and human relationships.
The best series inspired by historical periods successfully blend real events with compelling storytelling that immediately draws viewers into their world.
We love series set in past decades because they:
- take us back to the eras that have shaped modern society
- present real historical events from a fresh perspective
- feature complex characters and stories packed with emotions
- explore political dramas, social scandals, and great turning points
- combine crime drama, mystery, and suspense with a historical setting
- show how lifestyles, the media, and social values have changed
- offer the perfect balance of first-class production and interesting plot.
If you enjoy European series, British dramas, socially driven stories, and series that bring past decades to life, these titles are an excellent choice for your next binge-watch. And of course, they are all available on Pickbox NOW.
The Gold – a crime drama based on one of the biggest robberies in British history
Some crime stories sound like they have been written for the screen, yet those are precisely the ones that prove the most fascinating. The Gold brings a gripping story inspired by true events, the spectacular 1983 gold robbery in London, one of the most infamous criminal cases in British history.
After a gang of criminals steal a vast quantity of gold, the ensuing investigation uncovers far more than the robbery itself. The story focuses not only on the thieves but also on the people on different sides of the law, from police investigators to those caught up in a complex web of organised crime, corruption, and cover-ups. This historical crime drama is the perfect choice for fans of stories inspired by real events.
Why you shouldn’t miss The Gold?
- one of the most interesting series about robberies and organised crime
- inspired by a real case from British criminal history
- the perfect choice for fans of crime dramas
- packed with investigations, secrets, and unexpected alliances
- brings London’s 1980s criminal underworld vividly to life
- combines history, crime, and compelling drama
- ideal for anyone who enjoys gripping series based on true events.
Cast of The Gold
- Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce
- Jack Lowden as Kenneth Noye
- Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings
- Tom Cullen as John Palmer
- Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell
FAQ:
Is The Gold based on a true story? Yes, the series is inspired by the real-life 1983 gold robbery in London.
The Newsreader – a newsroom drama that takes viewers back to television in the 1980s
Long before social media and the constant stream of news, television newsrooms were where the day’s biggest stories were shaped. The Newsreader transports viewers to Australia in the 1980s, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the world of journalists, ambition, pressure, and sweeping social change.
This newsroom drama is about much more than television, it is about the people behind the headlines. Through its characters and their relationships, it explores changing social attitudes, the role of women in the media, and the evolution of journalism and television over the decades. For anyone who enjoys series set in past decades, particularly the 1980s, The Newsreader offers an engaging blend of history, drama, and personal storytelling. It is an example of a drama with a historical backdrop that successfully captures both the spirit of an era and the atmosphere of the time.
Why will The Newsreader become one of your favourite series?
- one of the most engaging newsroom dramas set in the 20th century
- offers a fascinating look at television before the digital age
- an excellent choice for fans of historical drama series
- explores ambition, relationships, and professional challenges
- shows how major social events unfolded through the eyes of journalists
- ideal for viewers who enjoy high-quality European series and international dramas
- combines history, emotion, and a compelling story about societal changes.
Main cast of The Newsreader
- Anna Torv as Helen Norville
- Sam Reid as Dale Jennings
- Robert Taylor as Geoff Walters
- William McInnes as Lindsay Cunningham
- Stephen Peacocke as Rob Rickards
FAQ:
What is The Newsreader about? The series follows the staff of a television newsroom in 1980s Australia, focusing on journalists striving to succeed in a world full of professional and personal challenges.
The Big Fix – a Swedish crime drama inspired by true events
How far would someone go to beat a system that is far bigger than themselves? That is the central question behind The Big Fix, a gripping Swedish drama inspired by real events that takes viewers back to the early 1990s.
The story follows a brilliant sports gambler from a small Swedish town who discovers a way to exploit a loophole in the state-owned betting company, Tipstjänst. What initially appears to be a golden opportunity soon draws him into a world of match-fixing, criminal investigations, and clashes with institutions unwilling to admit that the system has serious flaws. This historical crime drama is not just about gambling and organised crime. Through the story of a man trying to control the uncontrollable, The Big Fix shows how seemingly small decisions can have life-changing consequences.
For fans of period dramas, crime series, and stories inspired by real events, this is a compelling watch that combines suspense, social commentary, and the atmosphere of the early 1990s.
Why should The Big Fix be on your watch list?
- explores themes of power, influence, and social change
- tells a story about the clash between private and public interests
- an excellent choice for viewers who enjoy series inspired by true events
- portrays a period through the lens of politics and social relationships
- combines drama with historical context
- perfect for viewers who like serious themes and complex characters.
Who stars in The Big Fix?
- Björn Elgerd as Bosse
- Eva Melander as Ulla
- Sara Shirpey as Gabriella
- Josefin Asplund as Therese
- Edvin Bredefeldt as Josh
FAQ:
The Secret Scripture – a historical film about love, secrets, and a life shaped by the past
Some stories remain hidden for decades, waiting for the moment when they can finally be told. The Secret Scripture is a moving historical drama about memory, love, and the injustices that can mark an entire life.
The film follows a woman who has spent decades living in a psychiatric hospital. She begins recording her life story in a secret journal, and through her memories, the events of her youth, the love she lost, and the social circumstances that have shaped her fate gradually come to light.
Set in twentieth-century Ireland, this historical film captures a period of profound social and political change, illustrating how the decisions of communities, religious institutions, and those in positions of authority can profoundly affect individual lives.
Why is The Secret Scripture so popular?
- one of the most compelling historical films about love, memory, and the past
- tells a powerful story set in the 20th century
- an excellent choice for fans of emotional historical dramas
- explores how social circumstances can shape people’s lives
- examines themes of identity, injustice, and personal freedom
- combines history, family drama, and an emotionally powerful story
- ideal for viewers who enjoy films set against a historical backdrop
- offers a perspective on an era through the intimate story of the main heroine.
Who stars in The Secret Scripture?
- Rooney Mara as the young Roseanne McNulty
- Vanessa Redgrave as the older Roseanne McNulty
- Eric Bana as Dr William Grene
- Jack Reynor as Michael Eneas
- Theo James as Father Gaunt
FAQ:
Is The Secret Scripture based on a book? Yes, the film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Irish author Sebastian Barry.
Which historical period does The Secret Scripture portray? The film is set in twentieth-century Ireland during a time of major social and political change.
What genre is The Secret Scripture? It is a historical drama that combines elements of romance, family drama, and period storytelling.
Historical stories that prove the past never goes out of style
Although they transport us to decades gone by, the very best historical films and series often explore themes that remain just as relevant today. Power struggles, social change, political decisions, crime, family relationships, and personal tragedy are just some of the themes that continue to resonate with modern audiences.
That is one of the reasons why series set in the 20th century have become increasingly popular in recent years. Transformative decades such as the 1960s, 1980s, and 1990s provide the perfect backdrop for stories about people trying to find their place in a rapidly changing world.
From the notorious case at the heart of The Gold, to the television newsroom of The Newsreader, the scandal explored in The Big Fix, and the deeply moving story of The Secret Scripture, each of these titles brings a different period of history vividly to life.
If you enjoy historical dramas, period films, British television, European series and stories that combine real events with compelling drama, these titles deserve a place on your watch list.
Why watch series and films with a historical setting?
- they allow us to experience past decades from a fresh perspective
- they explore the social changes that shaped the modern world
- they tell stories inspired by real events
- they combine history, drama, crime, and personal stories
- they uncover less known historical events and social scandals
- they recreate the atmosphere of their era through costumes, sets, and characters
- they show us that themes such as ambition, love, and the pursuit of justice remain timeless.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about historical series and films
Which historical series are worth watching?
Among the most compelling are The Gold, The Newsreader and The Big Fix, each offering a unique historical period and social context.
Which are the best series set in the 20th century?
If you enjoy twentieth-century settings, The Newsreader explores the 1980s, while The Gold and The Big Fix immerse viewers in the worlds of crime and social change in the decades that followed.
Which historical series are inspired by true events?
The Gold and The Big Fix are both directly inspired by real events.
What should I watch if I enjoy period dramas?
Fans of period dramas are likely to enjoy titles that combine historical context with complex characters and thought-provoking social themes, such as The Secret Scripture.
Which historical films are worth watching?
For viewers who prefer films with a historical backdrop, The Secret Scripture offers a moving story set in twentieth-century Ireland.
History that never stops telling its stories
We may not be able to change the past, but great television and film allow us to rediscover it from an entirely new perspective. That is why historical films and series have remained so popular over the years, they tell stories about the people, decisions, and events that helped shape the world we know today.
From political conflict and social transformation to crime, the media, and deeply personal tragedies, the best titles with a historical backdrop show that behind every major event there are always personal stories. Series set in the past do more than recreate a particular era, they help us better understand the people, values, and challenges of that time. Series inspired by historical periods are especially interesting because they use personal stories to illuminate wider social change.
Whether you enjoy British dramas, European series, gripping crime dramas, emotional historical dramas or productions inspired by true events, these titles offer the perfect combination of history, suspense, and outstanding TV production.
If you are looking for series set in past decades, historical dramas, and stories that will both entertain and make you think, this list is an excellent starting point for your next viewing choice.
The finest historical stories are not simply those that revisit the past, they are the ones that help us better understand the present.