We’ve all heard the phrase “truth is stranger than fiction,” and when it comes to television, it’s true in the most bingeworthy way. Historical dramas, true-crime thrillers, and biographical epics have always gripped us with their intense stories, their twists, and their sheer audacity. There is something inexplicable about watching real-life events play out on screen, especially when they are packed with drama, scandal, or jaw-dropping revelations. But not every true story has to be dark, depressing, or disturbing. Some are powerful, relatable, and yes, genuinely uplifting.
In fact, there is a whole category of TV shows that takes real-life inspiration and turns it into something that makes you feel hopeful, reassured, and maybe even a little more connected to the world. These shows celebrate the true stories, shine a light on creativity, and capture the kind of heroism that doesn’t always make headlines.
So, if you’re in the mood to watch something that lifts your spirits without sacrificing depth, here are 9 uplifting TV shows based on true stories.
‘A Small Light’ (2023)
Set in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during World War II, A Small Light tells the story of Miep Gies, the young secretary who helped hide Otto Frank, his family (including Anne Frank), and several others in the secret annex. The eight-part miniseries traces Miep’s journey from a spirited, somewhat rebellious woman to a hero who risked everything to protect lives. With the war tightening its grip, Miep and her husband navigate growing danger and moral dilemmas.
An Act of Defiance That Changed the World
Directed by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan with the utmost grace and empathy, A Small Light is a compelling drama because of its shift in perspective from Anne’s diary to the woman who preserved it. Bel Powley brings Miep to life with warmth and grit, while Joe Cole and Liev Schreiber round out a cast that feels really genuine. Inspired by the real Miep Gies, who safeguarded Anne’s writings and helped sustain the annex for two years, the show honors bravery and has received praise for its historical authenticity.
‘Mrs. America’ (2020)
Mrs. America takes place in the 1970s and dramatizes the fierce battle over the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). It centers mainly on conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly’s campaign to stop its ratification. Each of the nine episodes spotlights a key figure in the women’s movement (from Gloria Steinem and Shirley Chisholm to Bella Abzug and Betty Friedan) while also focusing on Schlafly’s rise in the political landscape.
Complex Women and History’s Turning Point
Exploring the ideological clashes, personal sacrifices, and shifting alliances that defined second-wave feminism, all against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America, this one is a kaleidoscope of perspectives. It draws from real events and public figures, and instead of simplifying its subjects, the drama humanizes them. The show’s true story roots, especially the failed ERA ratification and the rise of grassroots conservatism, make it both enlightening and entertaining.
‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’ (2022 – 2024)
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty dives into the world of professional basketball and charts the glitzy, chaotic transformation of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. It starts with Jerry Buss’s purchase of the team and the drafting of Magic Johnson. And across two seasons, it chronicles the rise of “Showtime” basketball, which was an era defined by fast breaks, celebrity culture, and championship rings.
Celebration of Reinvention and Risk
From locker room politics to front office gambles, the series captures the true personalities that shaped the dynasty, like Pat Riley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, and more. Based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime, it offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of sports’ most iconic teams. John C. Reilly’s turn as Buss is amazing, while Quincy Isaiah’s Magic Johnson radiates ambition and charm. The fourth-wall breaks and the grainy visuals add flair, but overall, it’s an uplifting story about how a struggling franchise became a cultural juggernaut.
‘From the Earth to the Moon’ (1998)
From the Earth to the Moon, produced by Tom Hanks and HBO, is a 12-part miniseries that chronicles the Apollo space program from its uncertain beginnings to its successful moon landing. Each episode focuses on a different mission, team, or perspective, from engineers, astronauts, and journalists, to even the wives of the crew, to offer a panoramic view of humanity’s most daring achievements.
A Tribute to Collective Vision
The reason this one is so uplifting is that it’s not just about rockets, but about the people who made them fly. From the Earth to the Moon blends dramatized storytelling with documentary-style narration and captures all the technical hurdles, political pressures, and personal sacrifices that shaped NASA’s journey to the moon. Inspired by real events and based in part on Andrew Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon, it features standout performances from Bryan Cranston, Tony Goldwyn, and David Andrews, each portraying astronauts and mission leaders.
‘Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker’ (2020)
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker is a four-part Netflix miniseries that tells the story of Sarah Breedlove, better known as Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in America. Set in the early 1900s, it follows Walker’s rise from a washerwoman to a beauty mogul, as she builds an empire of hair care products tailored for Black women. Along the way, she faces racism, sexism, and backstabbing, but she keeps on forging her own path in a world constantly trying to shut her out.
Entrepreneurship and Empowerment
Octavia Spencer plays Walker with fierce determination and warmth, anchoring the series with a performance that is amazing. Based on the biography On Her Own Ground by A’Lelia Bundles (Walker’s great-great-granddaughter), it takes a few creative liberties but stays true to the spirit of its subject. Overall, it was celebrated for spotlighting a trailblazing figure often overlooked in mainstream history. With a strong supporting cast including Blair Underwood and Tiffany Haddish, and a soundtrack that blends old and new, Self Made is about believing in your own worth.
‘Rise’ (2018)
Set in a working-class town in Pennsylvania, Rise follows Lou Mazzuchelli, an unconventional high school English teacher who takes charge of the drama department and decides to stage a controversial production of Spring Awakening. As students wrestle with family pressures and self-expression, the show explores how art can be a lifeline in communities that often feel neglected.
Inspired by Real Students and Stage Dreams
Loosely based on Michael Sokolove’s nonfiction book Drama High, which chronicles the real-life efforts of teacher Lou Volpe, Rise tries to encapsulate the transformative power of arts education in its one-season run. Josh Radnor leads the cast, while Auli’i Cravalho and Damon J. Gillespie bring authenticity to their supporting roles. The focus is also on characters like Robbie, a star athlete torn between football and theater, and Lilette, a gifted singer with a difficult home life, and how one teacher’s belief in their students can change everything.
‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006 – 2011)
Easily one of the best sports dramas of all time, Friday Night Lights is set in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, and it centers on Coach Eric Taylor, who leads the high school football team through victories, defeats, and everything in between. Beyond touchdowns, this one is also about the lives orbiting the field, like students grappling with identity, families facing financial troubles, and a community that places its hopes on Friday night lights.
Over the course of its five-season run, Friday Night Lights captivated audiences with its nuanced, character-driven storytelling and its authentic portrayal of the high-stakes and personal wins that define the world of small-town Texas football. Inspired by H.G. Bissinger’s nonfiction book and the 2004 film of the same name, it draws from the true story of the Permian Panthers and their impact on West Texas culture. The show earned a lot of acclaim for its style, depth, and refusal to profit off of clichés.
‘Call the Midwife’ (2012 – Present)
Call the Midwife takes you back in time to 1950s and 1960s East London to tell the story of a dedicated group of nurse-midwives working out of Nonnatus House, a convent that serves the impoverished Poplar district. Each episode combines social issues, medical cases, and personal stories. So, in a way, it balances the clinical with the emotional and spotlights the heroism of women who deliver life in the most challenging circumstances.
True Stories Told With Grace
In its ongoing 14-season-long run, Call the Midwife has evolved into a sweeping chronicle of community and change. It is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, a real midwife who served in Poplar, and it’s known specifically for how historically accurate it is. The ensemble cast, led by Jenny Agutter, Helen George, and Laura Main, brings a rich texture to the joys and heartbreaks that defined the lives of their characters. That said, it is one of the BBC’s most beloved dramas, consistently drawing strong ratings and adoring responses.
‘The Durrells in Corfu’ (2016 – 2019)
Based on Gerald Durrell’s autobiographical books, The Durrells in Corfu follows the eccentric British family as they relocate from gloomy England to the Greek island of Corfu in the 1930s. Widowed mother Louisa Durrell tries to wrangle her four wildly different children while also navigating local customs and the occasional goat in the kitchen.
The Joy of Building a Life
An interesting blend of humor, heart, and Mediterranean misadventure, each episode offers a new slice of Durrell family life. Gerald Durrell’s Corfu Trilogy recounts his childhood and his budding love for wildlife, and the drama draws inspiration from the same. Keeley Hawes plays Louisa, balancing maternal exasperation with fierce devotion, while Josh O’Connor and Milo Parker play kids Larry and Gerry. Filmed on location, it captures the beauty of Corfu and the warmth of its people, resulting in a gentle, uplifting, and feel-good story.
