The 7 Best True Story TV Shows of 2024 (So Far)

Shogun Though not strictly a true story, the series is based on real historical figures and events. If you’re not familiar with 17th century Japan, this is a good place to start. Set in 1600, the show revolves around Lord Yoshii Toranaga, a feudal lord whose life changes when an English sailor named John Blackthorn is shipwrecked in Japan. The result is an epic power struggle on FX and Hulu. Once you’re done watching, be sure to check out the James Clavell novel that inspired the show.

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Truman Capote will forever be remembered as the king of gossip. Feud: Capote vs. the Swans The book depicts a tumultuous period in his life when he published a short story in Esquire magazine called “La Cote Basque, 1965.” Though a work of fiction, the piece exposed the darkest secrets of his friends and destroyed his social standing in New York high society. Capote vs. the Swans Unraveling one of the biggest feuds of the decade.

Watch on Hulu

It is often said that Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were enemies, but that is not true. Although these two civil rights leaders used different methods for liberation, their mission was the same. Genius: MLK/X It explores their formative years as young activists and the shared experiences that led them to join the civil rights movement, and even if you’re well versed in American history, you’re sure to learn something new.

Watch on Disney+

We all know what happened to Abraham Lincoln, but have you ever wondered what happened to John Wilkes Booth? Manhunt The film depicts the search for Booth, who murdered the 16th President of the United States. Described as a “conspiracy thriller,” Manhunt This miniseries connects Lincoln’s death with the little-known political struggle to defend the Reconstruction plan after the Civil War. The New York Times bestseller Manhunt: The 12-day hunt for the Lincoln assassin.

Watch on Apple TV+

Baby Reindeer Hard to watch, but still worth watching. Richard Gadd stars as a fictionalized character, a lonely bartender who is stalked by one of his regulars. The show explicitly depicts threats and assaults. Baby Reindeer It’s become one of Netflix’s most talked-about series this year, and it’s the type of show that stays with you long after the final episode has concluded, especially when you remember that it’s all based on a true story.

Watch on Netflix

Master of the Sky The series follows a group of young airmen during World War II. Their mission is to defeat Nazi Germany and liberate Europe. As the war continues, the soldiers band together to protect themselves in the sky and civilians on the ground. Starring Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Barry Keoghan and Anthony Boyle, the series was produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. After watching, you can learn more by picking up the book that inspired it, written by Donald L. Miller. Masters of the Skies: America’s bomber forces.

Watch on Apple TV+

Under the bridge The series follows the death of 14-year-old girl Leena Virk, who was attacked by her friends in 1997. The series is based on the book of the same name by Rebecca Godfrey. Riley Keough plays Godfrey, a writer who becomes intrigued by Leena’s story and teams up with a local detective (Lily Gladstone) to try to uncover what happened. We’re big fans of the series, but we recommend watching it with a box of tissues – you’ll need them.

Watch on Hulu