Translating the very real, complicated lives of activists, celebrities, and other famous figures for television is anything but easy. Between writing for accuracy, selecting the best performers possible, working within a feasible budget, and maneuvering sensitive topics bound to rise to the surface, the production of a biopic is a challenge that only a few can succeed in.
The bestbiopicsmake the most of their controversial productions, providing audiences with touching, nuanced tales that illustrate the universal pain, joy, and grit that defines humanity. Furthermore, their respective subjects serve as a vessel for said universality to be explored. Many audiences have expressed their desire for honesty in these select series and, despite their fair share of issues, these biopic series stand tall as exemplary in their execution and their influence beyond their premiere.
15Lincoln (1988)
Lincolnsees Sam Waterston star as the famous president in the 1988 miniseries penned by Gore Vidal. Initiating with his election,Lincolncovers thepredicaments the president ran into, leading up to the Civil War, and follows Lincoln’s presidential journey until his infamous assassination at the hands of John Wilkes Booth. Split into two episodes, the concise miniseries became a cable success, going onto be considered for the Emmys the following year.
A Glimpse Into A Tumultuous Presidency
Building off of a novel that historians and passionate readers were enamored with,Lincolnhad high expectations to meet. Between Waterston’s portrayal of Lincoln, Mary Tyler Moore’s Mary Todd Lincoln, and Lamont Johnson’s Emmy-winning directing, the series excellently captures Lincoln’s magnetism in the face of then-unprecedented conflict.
Rent Lincoln On Prime Video
14American Masters (1986)
American Mastersoffered audiences a wide range of fictionalized recounts of the lives of historical figures. Since the 1980s, PBS has curated series that tap incredible talent in hopes of recapturing the many moments, both famous and otherwise, of its subjects. Ranging from artists like Andy Warhol to writers like Amy Tan, the decades-long documentary series proves to be an insightful gaze upon the many curators of culture.
A Curated Collection of Celebrities Unveiled
The series includes in depth interviews from peers and supporters alike, capturing the many attributes that make their subjects exemplary but relatable. Remaining focused on their personal lives and their contributions to their respective careers,American Mastersmorphs through time but never relinquishes the genuine interest and dedication that goes into telling the stories of history’s artisans.
13King (1978)
Kingmay have been an attempt to capitalize on the legacy and tragic murder of Martin Luther King Jr. Nonetheless, the urgency of the production and subsequent release might have been for the better. Capturing the aspirations and the diligence of the civil rights leader,Kingsaw the likes of Paul Whitfield, Cicely Tyson, and Ossie Davis carrying the mantle of King’s message from the podiumto the small screen.
A Genuine Exploration Of A Legend And His Legacy
The miniseries makes the most of the four and a half hours of screentime, delicately approaching King’s personal plights, milestones, as well as the broader civil rights movement as he saw, and fit in. The coalescence of traits and experiences that made King an emblematic figure, melded with the discernment and appreciation that bleeds through the scenes, leavesKingstanding as a lovely biopic that cherishes its subject and the impact left behind.
Rent King On Amazon Prime Video
12The Borgias (2011)
Falling in line with steamy, violent biographical dramas likeThe Tudorsand successors likeMedici,The Borgiasis a 2011 series that shines a light on the historical Borgia clan and their pursuit of power within the Catholic Church. Starring Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia, the series makes the most of the family patriarch’s lust for control over the church as well as the series of predicaments that arose following the initiation of said pursuit.
The Borgias
A Dramatic Retelling of a Historical Clan’s Ascent to Power
The Borgias initially debuted with generally positive reviews. However, as the series persisted and storylines evolved, the critics joined the fans in enthusiastically awaiting the resolution of the struggles for power displayed in the series.
Alongside Irons, key players like Holliday Grainger and Francois Arnaud help provide a semblance of momentum and urgency, addressing the might of the Catholic Church during their arguable peak, and the resounding desire and corruption said power inspired.
11The Crown (2016)
The Crownis one of Netflix’s most recognizable series. A biographical drama that takes a look at the House Of Windsor, the series addresses the long-held interest in the British royal family, having a wide range of passionate thespians to breathe life into historical figures and controversial stories alike. Recently concluding with its sixth season,The Crownfollows the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton) from her coronation to contemporary times.
Related:The 10 Best Episodes of The Crown, Ranked
A Look At Life Beyond The Throne Room
The series hooked audiences in with its compelling look at the royal family’s influence on British politics, the decline of imperialism, as well as the personal scandals that would shift public perception of the monarchy. With star-studded seasons and a dedication to reinterpreting the late queen’s life through multiple, prominent perspectives,The Crown’s popularity renders it a notable success among modern biographical dramas.
Stream The Crown On Netflix
10Feud (2017)
Feudis one of Ryan Murphy’s many anthologies that takes a look at American pop culture. With a dramatic and often campy approach to documenting heated rivalries between the elite, the series takes a look at celebrities like Joan Crawford (Jessica Lange) and Truman Capote (Tom Hollander), illustrating famous conflicts in their personal lives.
Campy Confrontations Basked In Glamour
Celebrity feuds are a fixture in the pop culture ecosystem. They are also quite lucrative for anyone looking to investigate, misconstrue, or sensationalize the behind the scenes' callousness.Feudoffers a closer look at the egos and agitators behind these conflicts. While finding the humor in these confrontations, the show continues to impress critics with its understanding of the souls behind these conflicts and how said conflicts enrich Hollywood’s lore and legacy.
9Spartacus (2010)
WhenSpartacusdebuted on screens, many were quick to make note of the gory battle scenes and the steamy, full-frontal moments that would shock and intrigue audiences. However, the drama series finds the gladiator turned revolutionary, portrayed by both the late Andy Whitfield and Liam McIntyre, revived to recount the legacy of Roman slavery and the boundless greed displayed by the patricians.
Not only does this reimagination of Rome look entertaining, but the series as a whole speaks to the age-old, wicked cycle of corruption.
The Gladiator Life at a Glance
Beginning with Spartacus' early life and enslavement, the minds behind the series made the decision to rely on historical consultants to inform them of Roman slavery, attitudes towards Thrace, and what Spartacus' life would have looked like given most accounts of his life and legacy beginning with his revolution against the Roman Republic. In lieu of the liberties taken, the series offers audiences a look at Rome beyond Western infatuation.
8Sinatra (1992)
Frank Sinatra is, no doubt, a prolific figure in entertainment. His entire being: from his smile, his recognizable voice, and the trademark fedora he was often crowned with, has been woven into American pop culture. Thus, it does not come as a shock thatSinatra, a 1992 biographical drama from the minds of CBS, would attempt to further codify the legacy of the “Chairman Of The Board.”
Tapping Phillip Casnoff for the coveted role, the series opens with his early life before delving into his famous music career.
The Fascinating Story of Supreme Talent
The series, despite facing accusations of suppressing some of Sinatra’s story, received largely positive reviews due to its genuinely interesting look at Sinatra’s early life. Both Casnoff’s performance and the vocal performance by Tom Burlinson were celebrated by critics, who found both portrayals to be detailed and, ultimately, a worthy contribution to Sinatra’s legacy as an artist and a person.
Rent Sinatra On Amazon Prime Video
7Love & Death (2023)
One of the many fascinations in American history,Love & Deathis a 2023 series based on the life and controversy of Candy Montgomery. Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, and Lily Rabe are some of the many stars to grace this project. In seven episodes, the series takes a sensitive case and asks its audience to take a step back and consider the impact that external forces have on tragedies.
Love & Death
Family Values and Secrets Under the Microscope
The series offers a balanced look at Candy and the residents of Wylie, Texas. While never being too sympathetic to Candy,Love & Deathalso doesn’t adhere to the rigid binary that deems some as innocent and others guilty.
Weaving an analysis of religion, media, and love together, the series takes advantage of the true crime obsession and attempts to prompt its audience to make note of the many moving parts that turn a tragedy into a spectacle and what that means for the justice that is lost in the frenzy.
6Chernobyl (2019)
Chronicling the devastating events of a nuclear meltdown is nothing short of difficult to display. However, 2019’sChernobylproved to be a sincere and successful reinterpretation of the events leading up to the atrocity that left a city scarred, and a world scared of nuclear power.
A Haunting Memory Resurfaced
Including performances from Jared Harris, Emily Watson, and Stellan Skarsgård, the HBO series earned stellar reviews. Despite certain inconsistencies within the story, the detailed recount of the tragic moment in history was crafted with intensive research and supported by convincing portrayals. Even with the liberties taken,Chernobylis an earnest, close look at the consequences of corruption, chronicling the lives of the scientists involved up close.
