Perioddramastake audiences back in time, offering a captivating look at history through the lens of drama and spectacle. However, these shows sometimes stray far from the facts, choosing to prioritize entertainment over accuracy. From the lavish costumes to the dramatized relationships, many historical series indulge in creative reinterpretations, bending timelines and characters for maximum drama. While this can make for thrilling television, it often distorts the true story behind the events.
When it comes to analyzing TV period dramas that aren’t historically accurate at all, fans will notice how shows likeReign, The Borgias,andVikingsblend history with fiction to craft engaging narratives that depart from actual events. Whether it’s a fabricated romance or a completely reimagined character, these shows push the boundaries of historical storytelling. If someone is looking for historical precision, these series might leave them wanting more. However, if they’re seeking entertainment and drama, these fictionalized accounts are sure to captivate.
10’Victoria' (2016 – 2019)
The television seriesVictoriadramatizes the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign, following her from an inexperienced teenager to a confident ruler in her thirties. While the show captures the grandeur of the era, it takes significant liberties with historical accuracy. One of the most glaring fabrications is the supposed romantic tension between Victoria and her prime minister, Lord Melbourne. In reality, their relationship was one of mentorship and political guidance rather than romance.
Historical records, including Victoria’s own diaries, show deep admiration but no hint of infatuation that could compare to thisperiod romance fans can’t live without. Additionally, the real Lord Melbourne was neither the dashing figure portrayed by Rufus Sewell nor a viable love interest - he was over 40 years older than the Queen and in poor health.
A Dramatization of Queen Victoria’s Early Reign, Fabricating Certain Relationships
Beyond this,Victoriaalso misrepresents her relationship with Prince Albert. The series introduces unnecessary friction between them, depicting their courtship as contentious when, in truth, Victoria was immediately smitten. Their real-life love story was far less dramatic, with Victoria proposing to Albert just five days after he arrived in England. While historical dramas often adjust details for narrative impact,Victoriafrequently prioritizes romance and drama over factual events, making it one of the least accurate period dramas in recent memory.
9’The Tudors' (2007 - 2010)
The Tudors
Showtime’sThe Tudorsis notorious for prioritizing drama over historical accuracy, often bending facts to heighten its scandalous appeal. While many period dramas embellish history, this series goes so far as to rewrite fundamental details. One of the most glaring inaccuracies is the death of Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son. The show depicts Fitzroy dying as a child, yet in reality, he lived into his late teens. The series also invents characters, such as Eleanor Luke, one of Henry’s fictional mistresses, and fabricates affairs with historical figures like Anne of Cleves, despite no evidence supporting such claims.
A Sensationalized Version of History That Sacrifices Accuracy for Fictional Characters, Altered Events, and Bent Facts
Beyond rewriting relationships,The Tudorsaltered major historical events. The show gives Henry an uncle in Season 1 - despite the real king having none - and sensationalized Anne Boleyn’s tragic miscarriage by depicting the fetus as deformed, ahistorical inaccuracy from this period piecethat is unsubstantiated by records. While the show captures the essence of the Tudor court’s intrigue and excess, its departure from fact makes it one of the most historically inaccurate period dramas ever produced.
8’Vikings' (2013 - 2020)
Despite its gritty realism and immersive battle scenes,Vikingstakes plenty of creative liberties with history. The show compresses timelines, merging events that happened decades apart, and introduces anachronistic elements that didn’t exist during the Viking Age. For example, the portrayal of Viking settlements, particularly in England and France, is often exaggerated or outright fictionalized. Additionally, the series embellishes Norse mythology’s role in everyday life, blending historical events with mystical visions and supernatural occurrences that were never recorded in actual Viking society.
A Misrepresentation of Viking Culture That Adds Supernatural Elements for Drama
The show also takes liberties with Viking culture and customs. Shield maidens like Lagertha were rare, if they existed at all, and Viking society was far more complex than the brutal warrior ethos depicted in the series. The introduction of characters like Rollo as the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok is another major inaccuracy, as Rollo was a real historical figure who founded Normandy but had no known relation to the legendary Viking chieftain.
Every Season of Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla, Ranked
Vikings, and its spinoff Vikings: Valhalla, take viewers on a fun journey through Norse mythology, and here’s how the seasons rank against each other.
7’Wolf Hall' (2015)
WhileWolf Hallreceived critical acclaim for its performances and cinematography, its historical accuracy remains a point of contention. The series heavily favors Thomas Cromwell’s perspective, portraying him as a pragmatic yet misunderstood political leader while villainizing figures like Anne Boleyn and Thomas More. In reality, Cromwell was a shrewd political operator who played a significant role in the dissolution of the monasteries and the downfall of his rivals. The show’s revisionist approach tothe Tudor Dynastyfits a more modern narrative, stripping away the complexities of its characters in favor of clear heroes and villains.
A Captivating, Character-Driven Tudor Drama That Favors Modern Narratives Over Accuracy
Despite its historical distortions,Wolf Halloffers a visually immersive and well-acted adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels. The series captures the intrigue and power struggles of Henry VIII’s court, even if it takes liberties with the facts. For audiences who enjoy character-driven period dramas over strict historical accuracy,Wolf Hallremains an engaging, if not entirely reliable, retelling of Tudor history.
6’Peaky Blinders' (2013 - 2022)
Peaky Blinders
Beyond the gang’s timeline and weaponry,Peaky Blinderstakes creative liberties with historical figures and events. The show portrays Winston Churchill as deeply involved in suppressing the gang, yet in reality, his role in domestic criminal affairs was far less direct. Additionally, the character of Thomas Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, is entirely fictional, with no historical equivalent leading the real Peaky Blinders. The series also exaggerates the gang’s power, depicting them as a vast, organized criminal empire, whereas the historical Peaky Blinders were a much smaller and more localized group.
A Gripping, Stylized Period Drama That Exaggerates the Gang’s Power and Churchill’s Role
Despite these inaccuracies,Peaky Blindersthrives on its stylized reimagining of post-World War I England, blending real historical events with heightened drama. The show’s fashion-forward aesthetic and anachronistic music choices - such as its signature rock soundtrack - further emphasize its departure from strict historical realism. While it may not be a faithful depiction of early 20th-century Birmingham, its gripping storytelling andincredible attention to detailhave cemented its place as one of the most entertaining period dramas of recent years.
5’The Borgias' (2011 - 2013)
The Borgias
WhileThe Borgiasexcels in delivering high-stakes drama, political intrigue, and lavish aesthetics, its historical embellishments are impossible to ignore. The show leans heavily into sensationalism, portraying Pope Alexander VI as a ruthless yet charming manipulator while exaggerating the family’s infamous reputation. The depiction of Lucrezia Borgia as a femme fatale entangled in scandalous affairs - including the long-disputed incestuous relationship with her brother Cesare - caters more to myth than fact.
Additionally, the show dramatizes Cesare’s military prowess, turning him into an unstoppable force when, in reality, his campaigns were far more complex and often met with resistance.
A Gripping Drama with Political Intrigue but Takes Significant Historical Liberties
Despite its historical liberties,The Borgiasremains a visually stunning and gripping drama that captures the ruthless nature of Renaissance politics. It weaves real figures into a heightened narrative of betrayal, ambition, and scandal, prioritizing entertainment over historical precision. For viewers seeking a dramatic retelling rather than a textbook account,The Borgiasoffers a compelling, if fictionalized, portrait of the infamous papal dynasty.
4’Freud' (2020)
Netflix’sFreudtakes a wildly imaginative approach to the early life of Sigmund Freud, transforming the father of psychoanalysis into a crime-solving detective. While Freud is one of the most well-documented figures in psychology, this Austrian-German series discards historical accuracy in favor of supernatural intrigue and conspiracy-driven storytelling. The show correctly acknowledges Freud’s struggles with substance use and his professional relationship with Josef Breuer, but it veers intoperiod detective dramaterritory by portraying him as an investigator entangled in violent criminal cases. In reality, Freud had no involvement in police work or murder investigations.
A Fictionalized Life of Sigmund Freud That Blends Crime-Solving and Supernatural Elements
Another major fabrication is Freud’s relationship with Fleur Salome, a fictionalized character loosely inspired by Lou Andreas-Salomé, a woman he met later in life. The series also exaggerates Freud’s interest in spiritualism, turning it into a central theme rather than a passing curiosity. WhileFreuddelivers a suspenseful, visually striking thriller, it strays far from historical fact, making it one of the most inaccurate period dramas centered on a real-life figure.
3’Reign' (2013 - 2017)
The historical inaccuracies inReignextend beyond mere character details and into the show’s lavish costumes and modernized storytelling. The series outfits Mary and her ladies-in-waiting in glamorous, anachronistic gowns more suited for a high-fashion runaway rather than 16th-century France. The show also introduces entirely fictional characters, such as the mystical seer Nostradamus, who has visions that drive courtly intrigue despite no historical evidence of such prophetic influence. WhileReignsucceeds in delivering a soapy, romance-driven take on Mary’s story, it sacrifices historical accuracy in favor of dramatic storytelling.
A Royal Blend of Historical Fantasy and Drama That Prioritizes Entertainment Over Accuracy in Mary, Queen of Scots' Story
Despite its historical deviations,Reignremains a compelling period drama that captivated audiences with its romance, betrayals, and power struggles. The show’s approach to history leans into creative reinterpretation rather than authenticity, making it more of a historical fantasy than a true depiction ofMary, Queen of Scots' life, with actressAdelaide Kane giving one of the best portrayals of the queen. For viewers seeking entertainment over accuracy,Reigndelivers a thrilling, if highly fictionalized, royal drama.
2’Leonardo' (2021)
WhileLeonardoattempts to capture the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, it takes considerable liberties with historical accuracy. The most glaring inaccuracy is the central murder accusation - da Vinci was never charged with such a crime. The show fills in historical gaps with fiction, particularly in its depiction of Caterina de Cremona, a woman whose only known connection to da Vinci is her name appearing in his anatomical sketches. There is no evidence of a close relationship, let alone a murder conspiracy.
A Divergence from Factual Accounts That Fabricate Murder Accusations and Misrepresent Da Vinci’s Relationships
The series also misrepresents da Vinci’s sexuality, portraying him as bisexual when historical records strongly suggest he was exclusively gay. While details of his personal life remain speculative, his avoidance of romantic relationships with women and multiple accusations of sodomy in Renaissance Florence reinforce this conclusion. The show’s artistic license may make for engaging drama, but it strays far from the well-documented reality of da Vinci’s life.
1’Marco Polo' (2014 - 2016)
Marco Polo
While the real-life Marco Polo remains a historical enigma due to the unreliable nature ofThe Travels of Marco Polo,the Netflix seriesMarco Polotakes even greater liberties with the past. The show indulges in lavish storytelling rather than historical accuracy, particularly in its depiction of Kublai Khan and the Mongol Empire. Historians have estimated that only about 20% of the epicNetflix TV seriesaligns with actual events, with the rest fabricated for dramatic effect. The real Kublai Khan did not reside in an opulent palace filled with intrigue, nor did he maintain a clandestine concubine. These elements, though entertaining, stray far from historical records.
A Netflix Drama That Takes Major Liberties by Fabricating Events Like Kublai Khan’s Rise to Power
The show also takes significant creative liberties with Kublai Khan’s rise to power. One of the most egregious inaccuracies is the fictionalized duel in which he personally kills his brother - an event that never occurred. Additionally, the assassin disguised as a concubine is pure invention, adding unnecessary sensationalism to an already dramatic era. WhileMarco Polosucceeds in crafting an entertaining tale of political intrigue and warfare, its historical accuracy is questionable at best. Those seeking a factual retelling of the Mongol Empire’s history will find little value in this highly stylized drama.
