The Renaissance Era was a period in which there were great advancements in science, literature, art, religion, mathematics, and philosophy.Originating in Italy, the Renaissance wave quickly spread to the rest of Europe, and it was during this time in history that the world transformed from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age. Many of the famous historical scientists, philosophers, writers, and artists lived in this era, and today, the term “Renaissance Man” or “Renaissance Woman” is still used to refer to a person who is an expert in many fields.
Stories about the Renaissance Era have been told in a number of books, movies, and documentaries, but some of the most engrossing accounts of this period can be found in TV shows. Though some creative liberties are taken, these small-screen projects go into detail as they touch on the period’s influential figures while also showing what life was like for the average citizen.
10Wolf Hall (2015)
Based on Hilary Mantell’s novels,Bring Up the Bodies,andWolf Hall, BBC Two’sWolf Hallchronicles the rise of Thomas Cromwell from a lawyer to the most prominent person in Henry VII’s court. Cromwell served as the king’s Chief Minister from 1534 to 1540. He would later be beheaded after his enemies brought false accusations against him.
How It Captures the Renaissance
InWolf Hall,the magic of the Renaissance is best seen through the visuals. Almost every indoor scene showcases wall paintings by the era’s great artists. The show also explains how Cromwell’s ideas helped promote Protestantism. Before he became influential, Catholicism was dominant and society was largely conservative. Because of his Lutheran mindset, Cromwell was open to religious diversification, something that made him infamous but helped shape society’s trajectory.Stream on Hoopla or rent on Apple TV+.
9Versailles (2015 – 2018)
By the late 1600s, French noblemen had started defying the monarchy, so King Louis XIV (George Blagden) decided to fix the situation. As a troubleshooting measure, he moved the court from Paris’ Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye to his father’s land near the hamlet of Versailles. Canal+’sVersaillesthus shows how the noblemen struggled to operate outside their natural habitat.
The first and most striking way in whichVersailleshonors the Renaissance is through architecture. During this period, there was a shift from the asymmetrical Gothic designs of the Middle Ages to resplendent modern designs. The design shift is best demonstrated during the construction of the new Versailles Palace. The series also touches on scientific advancements, especially through finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who is keen on allocating massive budgets to the study of astronomy. Additionally, the show stays true to the period’s dialects and evolution of vocabulary, hence cementing itself as one of thebest-ever non-English period dramas.Stream on Netflix.
8Da Vinci’s Demons (2013 – 2015)
da vincis demons
Leonardo da Vinci is the most popular Renaissance Era figure andDa Vinci’s Demonscovers his early years in Florence as he was trying to make a name for himself. The show is largely fictionalized, so viewers are treated to plots such as Leonardo getting caught up in cult activities and hunting a mystical scripture known as theBook of Leaves.
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The Renaissance era was all about creativity and the show perfectly depicts Da Vinci as the polymath that he was. Whether he is painting the image of Lorenzo Medici’s lover, Lucrecia, or doing military engineering work for the Duke of Milan, Da Vinci does it all. In one scene, he successfully figures out how to do a blood transfusion in just a few seconds. The appearance of a few other notable historical figures also helps the show feel authentic.Stream on Prime Video.
7The Borgias (2011 – 2013)
The Borgias
Set in Italy,The Borgiasfollows the controversial Borgia family and their rise to the Papacy. Through a combination of murder, bribery, intimidation, and simony, the Borgias become extremely influential and dictate the course of the country’s politics. Regrettably, the show was canceled because it had becometoo expensive to make.
As one of the best shows about greed, power, and lust,The Borgiasaccentuates the importance of ascendancy in the Renaissance era, revealing the various methods that nefarious figures used to control the masses. Most importantly, the Renaissance was a time of massive religious disruption and by focusing on the papacy, the show is able to dig into the changing perspectives on how worshipping ought to be conducted.Stream on Paramount+.
6Medici: Masters of Florence (2016 – 2019)
Medici: Masters of Florence’s plot revolves around the Medici family, who were the Pope’s bankers in Renaissance-era Florence. Because of their influence on religion and their status as the owners of the largest bank in Europe, the Medicis acquired a lot of political capital. Eventually, the title of the Duke of Florence was created for members of the family.
Wealth and development go hand in hand, and as one of the richest families in Europe, the Medicis helped oversee a lengthy period of economic growth. Additionally, the drama proves that their contributions stretched beyond finance and religion, and into art. Sandro Botticelli — best known for creating the popular “Birth of Venus” painting — features prominently in the series. Some episodes also show the Medicis hosting “The Salon” (an artistic gathering meant to discuss fresh ideas).Stream on Netflix.
5The Tudors (2007 – 2010)
The Tudors
There are manyshows about the Tudor Dynasty, butThe Tudorsis the most comprehensive one. It follows the lustful yet ambitious Henry VIII as he attempts to streamline international relations while dealing with the politics within his own court. Many creative liberties are taken on the show, with time getting condensed and some of the character names even getting changed, but the general historical facts remain the same.
Before the Renaissance era, secularism was taboo in many societies. People feared deviating from religious teachings but all this changed slowly, andThe Tudorsshowcases that. There are plenty of lustful and Machiavellian characters. Even Henry does more of what he wants rather than what the church dictates. This was also a period of great territorial discovery, so explorers like Sir Francis Drake enjoy the spotlight, and thanks to their feedback, rulers made efforts to expand their empires.Stream on Prime Video.
4The White Queen (2013)
The White Queen
Based on Philippa Gregory’sThe Cousins' Warseries of historical novels,The White Queenis set against the backdrop of the bloody War of Roses. During this era, three women — Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville — engage in various forms of machinations in order to achieve power. The drama series was nominated for four Emmy awards during its run.
There is great attention to detail when it comes to the costumes. The attire that the characters wear reflects the increasing economic fortunes that defined the era. Even commoners wear nice outfits as proof that the living standards were improving. The tense and occasionally bloody power struggles are typical of the era too, making this one of the best medieval shows for people interested in politics.Stream on Prime Video.
3Will (2016 – 2017)
Much is known about the successfulplaywright William Shakespearebut little is known about his days as a struggling playwright.Willfocuses on the celebrated writer’s early years. Tired of trading gloves to support his wife and children, he heads to London to build a career for himself. There, he realizes that life isn’t as smooth as he thought it would be.
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The Renaissance era saw a major clash between science and humanism, and this is best examined through Shakespeare’s life. Tired of adhering to the norms, he attempts to spearhead new ways of writing and thinking but finds himself offending the wrong people. The series also accentuates the importance of passing messages through literature during the Renaissance era. Much of Shakeapeare’s activism is presented through his plays, and through them, he influences sections of society to adopt new lifestyles.Stream on TNT or Spectrum.
2The Spanish Princess (2019)
The Spanish Princessis also based on Philippa Gregory’s books (The King’s CurseandThe Constant Princess). In it, a young Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon, travels to England to meet her new husband, Arthur, Prince of Wales, as part of an arranged marriage. Because Arthur is the heir apparent of Henry VII of England, Catherine finds herself having to deal with the endless political machinations in the court. Things become even harder for her when Arthur dies unexpectedly.
Education was highly emphasized during the Renaissance andThe Spanish Princesshighlights this through Mary’s goals and ambitions. Unlike other royals, she is content with just sitting around and enjoying the perks. She makes an effort to learn literature and mathematics, a move that turns her into an empowered woman. This way, she is able to challenge gender roles and insists on carving her own path rather than letting others dictate things for her.Stream on Prime Video.
1Reign (2013 – 2017)
Reignfollows Mary I of Scotland and her rise to power in the French court. Engaged to be married to Crown Prince Francis, Mary finds herself having to deal with Francis' evil mother, who is against the marriage because of a Nostradamus prediction that states the union would lead to Francis’ death. The show also touches on the misadventures of Mary’s handmaidens.
Renaissance-era fashion itemssuch as embroidery, corsets, and capacious dresses are on full display inReign. Besides that, the show digs deeper into the life of the often neglected yet most influential seer of the Renaissance, Nostradamus. Here, he serves as Catherine’s consigliere, and thanks to his prophecies, he largely influences the decisions made by the characters.Stream on Prime Video.
