'Mindhunter' and 4 Other Most Historically Accurate TV Series, Ranked by IMDb
These TV projects are so authentic that they are often mistaken for archival footage.
Historical accuracy in TV series has long ceased to be just an added bonus – for many viewers, it has become a primary criterion of quality.
When creators immerse themselves in a historical era, meticulously recreating not only costumes and interiors, but also the spirit of the time, the result is a unique, almost documentary-like immersion.
5. 'The Knick', 2014-2015
IMDb Score: 8.4/10
The Knick is a perfect recommendation for fans of medical series such as House, M.D. and Grey's Anatomy who are looking for a more intense experience.
Unlike modern clinics with their gleaming equipment, this Steven Soderbergh project takes us back to 1900, a time when dirt, blood, and high mortality were commonplace.
The series is only suitable for viewers with strong nerves – there are no perfect characters, only cynical doctors in an atmosphere of hopeless, frighteningly authentic past-era medicine.
4. 'The Crown', 2016-2023
IMDb Score: 8.6/10
The Crown skillfully debunks the notion that costume dramas are dull. Beneath the regal demeanor and perfect British accents is a tense saga brimming with intrigue, betrayal, and personal drama.
The series' main paradox is that its most incredible plot twists aren't fictional – they're based on real, verifiable events.
The Crown is a show where every detail – from costumes to sets – is recreated with museum-quality precision to immerse viewers in the authentic atmosphere of the British court.
3. 'Deadwood', 2004-2006
IMDb Score: 8.6/10
HBO's Deadwood is far from your typical Western. Starring Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant, the series is distinguished by its creators' obsession with historical accuracy.
This attention to detail is evident in everything from the price of drinks in the saloon to the recreation of real events, such as the 1876 smallpox outbreak and the murder of a family of settlers.
Against this historical backdrop, a dense and masterfully written drama unfolds, featuring both fictional and real characters, setting a new standard for historical storytelling.
2. 'Mindhunter', 2017-2019
IMDb Score: 8.6/10
David Fincher's Mindhunter is more than just a detective drama – it's an encyclopedia of famous serial killers' behavior.
The show demonstrates astonishing accuracy: on YouTube, you can find comparisons of interrogation scenes with actual archival footage, and the resemblance is nearly perfect.
This authenticity continues in the second season, which focuses on the Atlanta murders. It's as if the filmmakers had a time machine – it is almost unbelievable how accurately they recreated the atmosphere of panic-stricken 1981 Atlanta.
1. 'Chernobyl', 2019
IMDb Score: 9.3/10
The series by Johan Renck and Craig Mazin has achieved cult status, sparking a new wave of worldwide interest in the Chernobyl disaster.
After its airing, curious tourists once again flocked to the exclusion zone, often disregarding legality and safety regulations.
Chernobyl follows the tragedy step by step. Viewers meet scholar Valery Legasov and deputy chairman Boris Shcherbina who must investigate the explosion's causes at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, mitigate its consequences, and bring the responsible parties to justice.
