Watching a biographical TV show is extremely satisfying. Thankfully, Netflix has several of those. These small-screen productions show us the good and bad sides of influential people. They might exaggerate a thing or two, but this is all done for entertainment purposes. The core history remains intact, educating viewers on numerous details they never learned in school.
For the longest time, the big screen has always been the preferred medium for those looking to tell true stories. Such an approach is justified, considering that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tends to love such types of pictures. From Amadeus to Lincoln, tons of biopics have won Oscars. But is cinema really the right medium? Great men and women have very eventful lives, and making movies about them means cramming so many details into a two or three-hour running time. Consequently, a lot of information will be left out.
Here are the 10 best biographical shows on Netflix.
‘Halston’ (2021)
Halston presents the tale of legendary fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick (Ewan McGregor), who went by the mononym Halston. Celebrated for his ultrasuede and cashmere designs, Halston became very influential in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The designer is also remembered for making the pillbox hat that First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore during JFK’s inauguration in 1961.
Once Again, Ewan McGregor Shows Us How It’s Done
If Halston has a moral, it’s that carefully ordered lives aren’t always as perfect as they seem from the outside. They can be really messy. There’s plenty of drama in the miniseries, and Ewan McGregor paddles through all of it brilliantly. Even better, the camera doesn’t just stay on him the entire time. Plenty of supporting characters get a chance to shine, including his gay lover, Victor Hugo, or his close friend, Martha Graham. The show grants them all the depth they deserve. Most importantly, viewers get to learn a lot about the fashion industry, especially how designers predict future trends.
‘Luis Miguel’ (2018 – 2021)
At the beginning of Luis Miguel, we meet Micky (Diego Boneta), the son of a failed singer, who has been brought up in a proper family structure. Noticing his talent for singing, his father, Luis Rey (Óscar Jaenada), vows to turn Micky into the superstar that he himself never managed to be. As Micky rises and becomes a pop star, under the name of Luis Miguel, the usual fame problems arise. He soon becomes a perturbing presence to his family, who feel he is more trouble than he is worth.
The Price of Fame
Diego Boneta puts in solid work here as a beloved singer with a troubled soul. Check out the scene where Miguel attempts to woo Mariah Carey. He is aces, portraying his breezy character without judgment, but the heavy work is left to Oscar Jaenada, whose occasionally annoying turn as an obsessive dad really touches your nerve. The show was recognized by numerous award organizations, including the Produ Awards, the Fénix Awards, and the Platino Awards.
‘Self Made’ (2020)
Self Made is the story of black hair care pioneer Madam C. J. Walker (portrayed by Octavia Spencer), who overcame gender-related obstacles, business rivalries, and chaotic marriages to become America’s first black, self-made female millionaire. Walker was also well-known for her philanthropy and activism.
The Great Octavia Spencer, Always Underrated, Always Delivering
Spencer received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, and she ought to have won it. Overall, there’s an embarrassment of riches in performances. Tiffany Hadish, Blair Underwood, and Carmen Ejogo are all incredible. You wouldn’t expect to find one of television’s greatest villains in a show like this, but wait till you see Addie Monroe (portrayed by Ejogo). So settle into your favorite seat and watch a black woman rise.
‘Supersex’ (2024)
Alessandro Borghi stars in Supersex as Rocco Siffredi, the famous Italian pornographic actor who starred in over 1300 adult films. Disadvantaged from the start, Rocco seems destined for a life of poverty. After all, his neighborhood is full of delinquent youngsters. The one thing the awkward youngster has going for him is his passion for sex. He soon becomes a star, but just when he has the world by the tail, inner demons threaten to destroy his chances for long-lasting happiness.
The Joys and Pains of an Unusual Career
Clearly inspired by numerous erotically charged productions that came before it, Supersex wins extra points for charm, color, and energy. This could easily have been a star-making role for any other actor, but for Alessandro Borghi, it is routine work. The actor showcases the level of brilliance he showed in Suburra: Blood on Rome and On My Skin. He’s aided by a solid supporting cast, masterful direction, and a surprisingly hilarious, touching script.
‘Monster’ (2022 – Present)
Monster gives us an indoor seat in the houses of some of the world’s most monstrous figures. The first season is about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, notorious for murdering gay men. The second season is about the Menendez brothers, convicted of killing their parents. The third season is set to focus on serial killer Ed Gein.
Killers on the Loose
The show has received 23 Emmy nominations so far, and there’s bound to be more. You’ll be most impressed by Niecy Nash, who portrayed Dahmer’s concerned neighbor in the first season. It helps that Monster is also under the stewardship of one of the greatest TV producers. Ryan Murphy, who created Glee, American Horror Story, and 9-1-1, is the person in charge, and we can see the meticulousness all through.
‘Griselda’ (2024)
Griselda is the story of notorious Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco, who established a major drug trafficking empire in Miami. Initially, her competitors underestimate her, but after a streak of ruthlessness, she earns everyone’s respect. Towards the show’s end, some of her rules fall by the wayside as she’s increasingly drawn to conflict. Will she survive the heat?
What a Man Can Do…
A violent, old-fashioned gangster show for history buffs and genre fans, Griselda is the kind they don’t make anymore or too damned infrequently. The show rests on the shoulders of Sofía Vergara, who effortlessly switches from “mum mode” to “gangster mode.” Everything else is mere window dressing, but who really cares? There’s so much fun to be had here. No surprise that the miniseries debuted at number one in 90 countries on Netflix.
‘The Spy’ (2019)
The Spy is the story of the legendary Mossad agent Eli Cohen (portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen), who skillfully infiltrated Syrian high society in the 1960s. So sly was the spy that he earned an appointment as Syria’s Deputy Defense Minister. Unfortunately, he was eventually exposed and killed, but the intel he provided proved crucial in Israel’s victory over Syria in the Third Arab-Israeli War, aka, The Six-Day War.
A Serious Cohen Is a Better Cohen
Based on the book L’espion qui venait d’Israël (The Spy Who Came from Israel), by Uri Dan and Yeshayahu Ben Porat, The Spy is one of the strongest spy shows to emerge from France, and speaks volumes about the dispiriting cruelties that pop up whenever nations conflict. Even as it celebrates the achievements of a brave man, the show sneakily advances a socialist message, exemplified in the dialogue. Here, Cohen gives such a good performance that we have to ask: Why do comedians always impress more than usual when they go the drama route?
‘When They See Us’ (2019)
When They See Us reminds us of the April 19, 1989, Central Park jogger case where five men of color were prosecuted and imprisoned for allegedly assaulting a woman in Central Park. Their conviction was ultimately overturned in 2002 when another person confessed to the crime, revealing that he acted alone.
Calling Out Injustice
Melancholic all through, the show’s raw and indelible analysis of America’s flawed justice system elevates it to a timeless status. When They See Us received 11 Emmy nominations and has been widely praised as one of the greatest miniseries of all time. Stretching for only four episodes, the show is precise and embraces pragmatism to the best of levels. There is no filler, just telling the story as it is. You won’t find a more emotionally charged show anywhere.
‘Narcos’ (2015 – 2017)
In its first two seasons, Narcos covers the rise and fall of Colombian narcoterrorist and drug lord Pablo Escobar (portrayed by Wagner Moura), leader of the Medellín Cartel. The show also gives us law enforcement’s view on the notorious criminal’s operations. Season 3 picks up after Escobar’s death, focusing on his rivals, the Cali Cartel.
Every Reign of Terror Comes to an End
Shot on narrow cameras to create a shallow depth of field around the cameras, Narcos wows us all through. With the camera never leaving the DEA and the drug lords’ perspective, the bold sound design evokes horrors perfectly, and we almost feel we are first-hand witnesses to the violence. Moura, a Brazilian, gives a stoic, deeply felt performance as the Colombian drug lord. And you won’t find many theme songs better than “Tuyo” by Rodrigo Amarante.
‘The Crown’ (2016 – 2023)
Universally praised as one of the best political dramas, The Crown traces the high and low moments of the most famous members of Britain’s Royal Family. From Queen Elizabeth II’s strained relationship with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Princess Diana’s controversial death, all the stories that made headlines are packed into this gripping series.
Better Royal Family Stories Than What We See in the Tabloids
Praised by commentators, fashion experts, and sections of the press, this addictive drama was drawn from all the controversial tales we heard in the past, and took home numerous accolades for its raw power and impact. Most of the clothes that royal family members wore at numerous high-profile events are replicated to the tiniest detail. Even better, there is a beautiful Hans Zimmer score and some of the best dialogue you’ll ever hear. Here, you’ll also meet some of the most talented actors, including Tobias Menzies and Dominic West.
