10 Best TV Shows Based on Real Stories That Will Leave You Speechless

True stories have a way of capturing our imagination like nothing else. When they’re brought to life through a well-made miniseries, the result is a powerful mix of drama and authenticity. Miniseries True stories have a way of capturing our imagination like nothing else.

When they’re brought to life through a well-made miniseries, the result is a powerful mix of drama and authenticity. Miniseries are especially good at digging deep into real-life events, giving audiences a close, focused look at extraordinary people, scandals, and moments in history.

Whether it’s stories of ambition gone wrong or fights for justice, these dramatized true events manage to both entertain and educate. They take what we might only know from headlines or history books and turn them into emotional, unforgettable experiences.

Some of the best examples include Dopesick, which exposes the greed behind the opioid crisis, and Chernobyl, which chillingly recreates the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. Across the board, themes like ambition, betrayal, resilience, and justice run strong, reminding us that real life often tells the most gripping stories.

10. ‘Black Bird’ (2022)

Former football standout and small-time criminal Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) is staring down a decade-long prison sentence when the FBI offers him a dangerous deal: transfer to a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) to coax out confessions about missing women.

In exchange, Jimmy could earn his freedom.

But inside, Jimmy faces a violent, unpredictable environment, as well as the psychological games of the manipulative Hall. With time running out and Hall’s appeal pending, Jimmy must carefully navigate their chilling interactions to gather the truth, secure justice for the victims, and win his own redemption.

Black Bird is adapted from the real-life memoir In with the Devil by James Keene, co-written with investigative journalist Hillel Levin. Keene himself served as an executive producer on the Apple TV+ series, ensuring it stayed close to reality.

However, a few details were dramatized: in the show, Hall openly shows Jimmy a map marking burial sites, but in real life, Hall was much more secretive. Additionally, the series suggests Hall mailed the map to his father — something that never actually happened, as the real map was never recovered.

After completing his mission, Keene was released, while Larry Hall remains behind bars, serving a life sentence.

9. ‘Dopesick’ (2021)

Dopesick gets into the origins and devastating effects of America’s opioid crisis, focusing on how Purdue Pharma falsely marketed OxyContin as a low-risk painkiller.

The miniseries weaves together multiple timelines, showing Purdue’s manipulation of scientific data, the struggles of Dr. Finnix (Michael Keaton), a small-town doctor who is convinced to prescribe OxyContin, and the investigators working to expose the company’s wrongdoing.

Through personal stories and systemic failures, the show paints a heartbreaking portrait of how addiction shattered lives and communities.

Adapted from Beth Macy’s bestselling book, Dopesick stays close to real events while blending in fictional characters like Dr. Finnix and Betsy Mallum (Kaitlyn Dever) to represent the experiences of thousands of real people.

Meanwhile, figures like prosecutors Rick Mountcastle and Randy Ramseyer, who fought to hold Purdue accountable, are based directly on real-life individuals.

Although Purdue Pharma ultimately paid billions in settlements, the Sackler family, who owned the company, denied any personal responsibility. Dopesick sheds critical light on a public health disaster that continues to impact millions.

8. Baby Reindeer (2024)

Baby Reindeer tells the unsettling true story of Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), a struggling comedian and bartender whose act of kindness toward an upset pub customer, Martha (Jessica Gunning), spirals into an intense stalking ordeal.

As Martha’s fixation grows, Donny must confront not only her escalating threats but also his own buried trauma, including the sexual abuse he endured at the hands of a mentor, Darrien (Tom Goodman-Hill).

The series navigates complicated topics like mental illness, guilt, and survival, portraying Martha as a deeply troubled figure rather than a villain, and offering an unflinching look at the long shadows trauma can cast.

Based on Richard Gadd’s autobiographical one-man show, Baby Reindeer draws heavily from his real-life experience with a stalker. Gadd chose to protect the real individuals’ identities by using pseudonyms for both “Martha” and “Darrien.”

While the Netflix series dramatizes the events, it stays close to Gadd’s true story, though he has remained private about what happened to the real “Martha.” Following its release, Baby Reindeer quickly became a major hit, sparking widespread speculation about the real people behind its haunting story.

7. When They See Us (2019)

When They See Us tells the powerful true story of five Black and Latino teenagers from Harlem who were wrongfully convicted in 1989 for the brutal assault of a white female jogger in Central Park.

Pressured by intense public scrutiny, police coerced false confessions from the boys, leading to their convictions despite a lack of solid evidence. The series focuses especially on Korey Wise (Jharrel Jerome), who endured the harshest punishment in an adult prison.

Years later, in 2002, the real perpetrator confessed, and DNA evidence confirmed the teens’ innocence. They later sued New York City, eventually receiving a settlement in 2014.

When They See Us has been the most-watched series on Netflix in the US every day since it premiered on May 31 pic.twitter.com/jS8IXIh03g

— Netflix (@netflix) June 12, 2019

The Netflix miniseries dramatizes the infamous Central Park Five case, bringing attention to the racial prejudice, police misconduct, and media-driven frenzy that shaped the investigation and trials.

While When They See Us was praised for its emotional impact and historical accuracy, some critics argued that it minimized evidence related to other assaults connected to the case.

Linda Fairstein, the lead prosecutor portrayed negatively in the series (played by Felicity Huffman), even filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix. Despite the controversy, the series succeeded in spotlighting the deep racial injustices embedded in the American justice system.

6. Chernobyl (2019)

Chernobyl powerfully recounts the 1986 nuclear disaster that struck the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, and the massive efforts that followed to contain its deadly fallout.

The series follows critical figures such as scientist Valery Legasov (Jared Harris), politician Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård), and physicist Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) as they uncover the causes of the explosion and confront the Soviet government’s attempts to cover it up.

Through the eyes of first responders, miners, and ordinary citizens, Chernobyl paints a stark portrait of sacrifice, lies, and human resilience in the face of catastrophe.

The HBO miniseries is based on the real events of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion, drawing from historical sources, including Svetlana Alexievich’s Voices from Chernobyl.

While Chernobyl was praised for its historical accuracy, it does take some creative liberties: for instance, it exaggerates the threat of a potential second explosion and invents the character of Ulana Khomyuk as a composite of several Soviet scientists. Real figures like Legasov and Shcherbina are dramatized for narrative impact.

Meanwhile, the heartbreaking story of Lyudmila and Vasily Ignatenko is based closely on real accounts, though some character portrayals are simplified compared to their real-life counterparts. Despite minor inaccuracies, Chernobyl remains a chilling and unforgettable depiction of one of the world’s worst man-made disasters.

5. Band of Brothers (2001)

Band of Brothers follows the incredible real-life journey of Easy Company, a unit within the 506th Infantry Regiment, during World War II.

From brutal training at Camp Toccoa to the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the liberation of a concentration camp, the series captures the soldiers’ bravery, brotherhood, and sacrifice.

Each episode focuses on different members of Easy Company, weaving together their individual stories to form a moving and powerful portrayal of loyalty, fear, and resilience during one of history’s darkest times.

@v3rmythic1 I made another.. and then I disappear for 3 days again 🥀🥀#bandofbrothersedit #bandofbrothers #BoB #BOB #ronaldspeirs #ronaldspeirsedit SCP : @Logoless SP ♬ original sound – Asa (Liebgott’s Version)

The HBO miniseries is based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers, which was built around interviews with the real soldiers of Easy Company.

While largely faithful to history, the show does take some dramatic liberties for storytelling purposes, including exaggerations about Lieutenant Norman Dike’s leadership failures and incorrectly suggesting that Private Albert Blithe died in 1948 (he actually lived until 1967).

Despite a few dramatized elements, Band of Brothers remains one of the most authentic and emotional portrayals of World War II ever put on screen, paying heartfelt tribute to the men who lived it.

4. Unbelievable (2019)

Unbelievable tells the deeply emotional story of Marie (Kaitlyn Dever), a teenager who, after reporting her sexual assault in 2008, is pressured by police into recanting her story. As a result, Marie is not only disbelieved but also criminally charged, leaving her isolated and stigmatized.

Three years later, Detectives Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Duvall (Merritt Wever) begin investigating a series of similar assaults in Colorado and uncover a trail of evidence that leads them back to Marie’s original case.

The Netflix miniseries is based on T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong’s Pulitzer Prize-winning article, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape.” The show closely follows real events and real people: Marie’s experience, as well as those of Detectives Stacy Galbraith and Edna Hendershot — fictionalized here as Duvall and Rasmussen.

Unbelievable was praised for its sensitive and respectful portrayal of survivors’ experiences, as well as its unflinching criticism of how the justice system often fails victims of sexual violence.

3. Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)

Under the Banner of Heaven follows Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield), a devout member of the Latter-day Saints community, whose faith is put to the test as he investigates the brutal 1984 murders of Brenda Wright Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her infant daughter Erica in Utah.

The case points to Brenda’s brother-in-law Ron (Sam Worthington) and his brother Dan (Wyatt Russell), whose extremist religious beliefs drive them to commit the horrific act. Through Jeb’s journey, the series explores the dark undercurrents within religious fundamentalism, flashing back to the early days of Mormonism and Brenda’s efforts to challenge oppressive traditions.

The miniseries is adapted from Jon Krakauer’s 2003 nonfiction book of the same name. Like the book, the show balances two narratives — the origins of Mormonism and the real-life Lafferty murders.

However, Detective Jeb Pyre is a fictional creation, used as a narrative device to guide the audience through the investigation and to reflect on questions of faith and morality. Both Ron and Dan Lafferty were convicted; Ron died in prison in 2019, while Dan remains incarcerated.

Under the Banner of Heaven brings a gripping and thought-provoking true story to the screen, examining how belief can be twisted into violence.

2. A Very English Scandal (2018)

A Very English Scandal tells the story of a political downfall that rocked Britain in the 1970s. Rising politician Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant) engages in a secret same-sex relationship with Norman (Ben Whishaw), a young and vulnerable stable boy.

As Norman threatens to reveal their affair, Thorpe takes desperate measures to silence him, going so far as to arrange a failed assassination attempt. When the plan unravels, Norman exposes the conspiracy, leading to a sensational trial that captures the nation’s attention.

Based on John Preston’s nonfiction book of the same name, the BBC One miniseries closely follows the real events surrounding the Thorpe scandal. Although Thorpe resigned as the leader of the Liberal Party and lost his seat in Parliament, he was ultimately acquitted of conspiracy to murder.

A Very English Scandal balances the gravity of the true story with sharp writing and standout performances, making it both an entertaining and insightful retelling of a major political scandal.

1. The Dropout (2022)

The Dropout follows the incredible but disastrous journey of Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried), chronicling her rise from a college dropout to the founder of Theranos, a company that promised to revolutionize blood testing.

Despite the excitement around Theranos, its technology was deeply flawed. Rather than pulling back, Holmes continued to push the company forward, securing millions in investments while misleading the public and investors alike.

This is an inspiring step forward. Congratulations to @AmandaSeyfried for winning an #Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for #TheDropout. pic.twitter.com/XGjXnXN98J

— The Dropout on Hulu 🩸 (@TheDropoutHulu) September 13, 2022

The Hulu series is adapted from Rebecca Jarvis’ podcast of the same name, which investigated Holmes’ life, ambitions, and the collapse of Theranos. The show offers a close look at Holmes’ character, capturing her determination and downfall without excusing the damage she caused.

If you’re interested in watching more gripping true stories, check out where to watch Good American Family for an unforgettable experience.