The Best Historical Dramas on Amazon Prime

There’s nothing like finding the perfect show and letting yourself escape the real world for a few hours. However, with so many choices available, making a choice can be overwhelming. If you’re looking for some good period drama with lots of— well, drama— don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Available on Amazon Prime, these three period dramas have got it all, from great costumes to high-quality production design, mind-blowing performances, and narratives that transport you to the past.

The Tudors

Set in the high-stakes royalty world, The Tudors revolves around King Henry VIII (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and his marriages and reign. Beginning in 16th century England with him becoming distant to his first wife while growing desperate for an heir, the show takes a quick turn with the king’s infatuation with Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer), almost to the extent of obsession.

Using some creative liberties that a drama show licenses, the show truly takes its viewers for an exhilarating ride through the plots against Henry including the shocking betrayals, greed, political scheming, and power.

Wolf Hall

Taking audiences back to the 1520s, Wolf Hall weaves a delectable suspense story while focusing on the character of Thomas Cromwell (played by Mark Rylance). He is a lawyer who gets caught up in the intrigue and treachery of King Henry VIII’s (played by Damian Lewis) court.

Having risen from humble beginnings, he enters British society and goes on to become one of the king’s confidants. This, however, brings along dangers for Cromwell. Wolf Hall takes on the 16th century, providing an intriguing and unique perspective into that era.

The Northman

This historical action thriller is set in AD 895 and is based on Amleth, the medieval Scandinavian legend said to be one of the inspirations for Hamlet by Shakespeare. Featuring a truly incredible cast including Ethan Hawke, Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Willem Dafoe, the show tells the tale of a Viking prince who set out to avenge his father.

Prince Amleth wants to retrieve what he has lost, which is his parents and his kingdom, and heads to the windswept and cold land of Iceland. If what you are looking for is a true depiction of the Viking age through mesmerizing cinematography, this drama is perfect for you!