Biographies of famous people are always popular, especially if those people have tumultuous or dramatic lives that match all the media hype. Serialized dramas likePam & Tommydramatize real life to some extent, but there’s no denying the authentic history in their relationship, and how it has shaped the careers and public image of both these famous people.
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There are plenty of other series that rely on real-life events, personal biographies, or true family histories to make up their plot lines. A few of them take inspiration from real people from various walks of life. All the following shows include characters that live in the public eye to some extent, but most of these stories are otherwise entirely fictionalized.
7Masters Of Sex (2013)
This series is loosely based on the biography of the author, journalist, and T.V. producer Thomas Maier and his book,Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love.The title was shortened slightly for theShowtimeseries, which ran from 2013 to 2016.
As the lengthy book title explains, the plot revolves around a couple, William and Virginia, and their collaborative work on studying certain social behavior,specifically human sexuality. The series is set in the years between October 1956 and August 1969, while they were conducting their research at Washington University in St. Louis.
6The White Lotus (2021)
The lotus is symbolic of a number of different things, but mostly the numerous layers that reveal a much more complex plant upon closer inspection. A satirical comedy produced byHBOand set in a Hawaiian resort of the same name, part of the show is about the guests as well as the hosts, and how the game of high-stakes hospitality plays out in the real world along with other dramatic events.
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There are a few darker secrets behind the idyllic setting ofThe White Lotusthat come to light as the ensemble cast interact and the viewer learns their backstories and future plans. The show was popular enough to inspire an upcoming anthology series, which will feature a different group of guests at the same hotel.
5Black Monday (2019)
A dark period comedy fromShowtime,Black Mondaytells the story ofthe historic stock-market crash of 1987through the eyes of several employees at a mid-range trading company called Jammer Group. The popularity of the first season prompted two more, but the series was canceled after three.
The main character of the story is Blair Pfaff, played by Andrew Rannells, as he struggles to prove himself in a cutthroat career and a shaky personal relationship. There are a lot of other interesting undercurrents here beyond just the surface, and all relevant to the time period, so it is also great as a trip down memory lane for those who remember the late 80’s.
4Fosse/Verdon (2019)
A truly epic story that spans half and century and follows the career of two influential artists,Fosse/Verdonis about the dynamic duo Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Fosse was a filmmaker with some unconventional ideas, and Verdon was a choreographer and director with her own unique vision.
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Together, this couple faced all the perils and rewards of fame, including turbulent personal lives filled with glitz, glamour, Tony Awards, and substance abuse. The show is available onHuluand chronicles not only their careers, but the rise and fall of their relationship over the course of several decades.
3The Crown (2016)
Inspired by the movieThe Queenfrom 2016, which was also created and written by Peter Morgan,The Crownis a period drama that focuses on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It begins with Elizabeth’s marriage to Philip in 1947 and touches on several other high-profile political events, like the Suez Crisis, underpinned by the personal lives of one of the world’s most famous families.
Netflixhas been streamingThe Crownsince it debuted in 2016, and the popularity of the show has ensured it continues into the present with the fifth season. The fourth season featured famous figures that included Margaret Thatcher, played by Gillian Anderson, and Emma Corrin as Lady Diana Spencer.
2The Righteous Gemstones (2019)
The Righteous Gemstonesisn’t really based on any one person, but several prominent American families that have made televangelism a lucrative career that includes a carefully designed public persona. So far, two seasons of this black comedy have aired onHBO, and the show has been renewed for a third.
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The Gemstones, who could be compared to families like the Bakkers or the Swaggarts, run the Gemstone Salvation Center. Beneath the veneer of faith, compassion, and humility, however, is a nest of debauchery, theft, and organized crime. Each episode is about another attempt the family makes at blackmail, bribery, or monopolization.
1Catherine the Great (2019)
An opulent period drama that chronicles the life and times of a Russian monarch that brought Russia through the Age of Industrialism and several wars,Catherine The Greatstars some big names, with Hellen Mirrin being the most obvious example. Jason Clarke plays Grigory Potemkin, and the plot revolves mostly around their relationship with some interesting historic events in the background.
The show was written for both theHBO Miniseriesplatform andSky Atlantic, and it’s available on both services. It’s a story about a monarch in their later years, after their rise to power, as opposed to the “origin story” template. The plot here is about Turkish invasions and national political upheaval that took place in the latter part of Catherine’s reign.
