Top Rated Biography TV Shows

by BonaFideBOSS | created - 26 Jul 2021 | updated - 09 Dec 2021 | Public

Which of these top-rated biography television shows is your favorite?

Note: Only series and mini-series with at least 5000 votes and an average rating of 8.0 or above are considered.

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1. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020)

TV-14 | 55 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

The rise and fall of Harshad Mehta, a stockbroker who single-handedly took the stock market to great heights, is depicted.

Stars: Pratik Gandhi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Hemant Kher, Anjali Barot

Votes: 156,931

2. Farouk Omar (2012)

Approved | 45 min | Biography, Drama, History

The life of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, the second Caliph of Rashidun Caliphate, before and after he embraces in Islam.

Stars: Samer Ismail, Assad Khalifa, Mehmet Sah Celik, Mehyar Khaddour

Votes: 8,250

3. The Last Dance (2020)

TV-MA | 49 min | Documentary, Biography, History

Led by Michael Jordan, the 1990s Chicago Bulls establish themselves as one of the most notable dynasties in sports history.

Stars: Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen, David Aldridge

Votes: 151,974

4. When They See Us (2019)

TV-MA | 296 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they're falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. Based on the true story.

Stars: Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Marquis Rodriguez

Votes: 137,764

5. Narcos (2015–2017)

TV-MA | 50 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

A chronicled look at the criminal exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as the many other drug kingpins who plagued the country through the years.

Stars: Pedro Pascal, Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Alberto Ammann

Votes: 470,088

6. I, Claudius (1976)

Not Rated | 50 min | Biography, Drama, History

The personal and governmental affairs of the Julio-Claudian dynasty at the beginning of the Roman Empire, as recalled by one of its rulers.

Stars: Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Siân Phillips, Brian Blessed

Votes: 19,359

7. Bose: Dead/Alive (2017)

TV-MA | 20 min | Biography, History, Mystery

The man. The legend. The mystery. He fascinated us in life, and long after his "death". This is the story of India's biggest cover-up: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the mystery of his alleged death.

Stars: Rajkummar Rao, Naveen Kasturia, Edward Sonnenblick, J. Brandon Hill

Votes: 7,052

8. The Crown (2016–2023)

TV-MA | 60 min | Biography, Drama, History

Follows the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped Britain for the second half of the 20th century.

Stars: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton, Matt Smith

Votes: 256,602

9. Spartacus (2010–2013)

TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Biography

The life of Spartacus, the gladiator who lead a rebellion against the Romans. From his time as an ally of the Romans, to his betrayal and becoming a gladiator, to the rebellion he leads and its ultimate outcome.

Stars: Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, Daniel Feuerriegel

Votes: 256,895

10. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011)

TV-MA | 55 min | Action, Adventure, Biography

In the time before the arrival of Spartacus, the House of Batiatus faces many challenges from competitors, and within its own household.

Stars: John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Peter Mensah, Dustin Clare

Votes: 145,338

11. John Adams (2008)

TV-14 | 71 min | Biography, Drama, History

The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.

Stars: Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, John Dossett, Stephen Dillane

Votes: 36,603

12. Jesus of Nazareth (1977)

TV-G | 96 min | Biography, Drama, History

Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.

Stars: Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier, James Mason

Votes: 24,833

13. Feud (2017–2024)

TV-MA | 60 min | Biography, Drama

An anthology series centering on famous feuds, including Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and Truman Capote and the New York elite.

Stars: Jessica Lange, Alison Wright, Naomi Watts, Susan Sarandon

Votes: 26,026

14. The Defiant Ones (2017)

TV-MA | 60 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime

"The Defiant Ones" examines the partnership between Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre - one the son of a Brooklyn longshoreman, the other straight out of Compton - and their leading roles in a chain of transformative events in contemporary culture.

Stars: Stevie Nicks, Bono, Dr. Dre, Tom Petty

Votes: 15,674

15. American Crime Story (2016– )

TV-MA | 42 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

An anthology series centered around America's most notorious crimes and criminals.

Stars: Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Sterling K. Brown, Kenneth Choi

Votes: 98,913

16. Roots (1977)

TV-14 | 74 min | Biography, Drama, History

A dramatization of author Alex Haley's family line from ancestor Kunta Kinte's enslavement to his descendants' liberation.

Stars: LeVar Burton, Robert Reed, John Amos, Louis Gossett Jr.

Votes: 18,869

17. Genius (2017– )

TV-14 | 50 min | Biography, Drama, History

The life stories of history's greatest minds, from their days as young adults to their final years: their discoveries, loves, relationships, causes, flaws, and genius.

Stars: Samantha Colley, Seth Gabel, Antonio Banderas, Clémence Poésy

Votes: 20,111

18. Gentleman Jack (2019–2022)

TV-MA | 60 min | Biography, Drama, History

A dramatization of the life of lesbian trailblazer, voracious learner, and cryptic diarist Anne Lister.

Stars: Suranne Jones, Sophie Rundle, Gemma Whelan, Ben Hunter

Votes: 15,933

19. Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019–2023)

TV-MA | 49 min | Biography, Drama, Music

The show tracks the Wu Tang Clan's formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs, who strives to unite a dozen young Black men who are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories.

Stars: Ashton Sanders, Shameik Moore, Siddiq Saunderson, Julian Elijah Martinez

Votes: 11,390

20. Victoria (2016–2019)

TV-PG | 60 min | Biography, Drama, History

The early life of Queen Victoria, from her ascension to the throne at the tender age of 18 to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert.

Stars: Jenna Coleman, Adrian Schiller, Tommy Knight, Jordan Waller

Votes: 30,867

21. The Durrells (2016–2019)

TV-PG | 46 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama

Louisa Durrell raises her four children single-handedly after her husband's death. Following a financial crisis, the family moves to the Greek island of Corfu and tries to adapt to life there.

Stars: Keeley Hawes, Josh O'Connor, Milo Parker, Daisy Waterstone

Votes: 14,174

22. Manhunt (II) (2017–2020)

TV-14 | 817 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

An in-depth look at how an FBI profiler helped track down the terrorist Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber.

Stars: Gethin Anthony, Arliss Howard, Kelly Jenrette, Cameron Britton

Votes: 63,804

23. The Great (2020–2023)

TV-MA | 1,594 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama

A royal woman living in rural Russia during the 18th century is forced to choose between her own personal happiness and the future of Russia, when she marries an Emperor.

Stars: Elle Fanning, Phoebe Fox, Gwilym Lee, Adam Godley

Votes: 54,375

24. Wolf Hall (2015)

TV-14 | 60 min | Biography, Drama, History

After the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey, his secretary, Thomas Cromwell, finds himself amongst the treachery and intrigue of King Henry VIII's court and soon becomes a close advisor to the King, a role fraught with danger.

Stars: Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, Claire Foy, Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Votes: 13,085

25. Pretend It's a City (2021)

TV-14 | 29 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy

Wander the New York City streets and fascinating mind of wry writer, humorist and raconteur Fran Lebowitz as she sits down with Martin Scorsese.

Stars: Fran Lebowitz, Martin Scorsese, Michael Alexis Palmer, Spike Lee

Votes: 8,576

26. The Billion Dollar Code (2021)

TV-MA | 267 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

In 1990s Berlin, an artist and a hacker invented a new way to see the world. Years later, they reunite to sue Google for patent infringement on it.

Stars: Leonard Scheicher, Marius Ahrendt, Mark Waschke, Misel Maticevic

Votes: 11,277

27. Rangbaaz (2018–2022)

35 min | Action, Biography, Crime

Rangbaaz Phir Se is inspired from the life of Anandpal Singh who was a gangster active in the state of Rajasthan. The series chronicles his rise to becoming the most wanted criminal in the history of Rajasthan.

Stars: Jay Joshi, Saqib Saleem, Jimmy Shergill, Tigmanshu Dhulia

Votes: 5,546

28. Da Vinci's Demons (2013–2015)

TV-MA | 60 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama

Follows Leonardo Da Vinci during his early days in Florence, as a young artist, inventor and dreamer, trying to change the future.

Stars: Tom Riley, Gregg Chilingirian, Eros Vlahos, Laura Haddock

Votes: 79,182

29. The Act (2019)

TV-MA | 53 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

Dee Dee Blanchard is overprotective of her daughter, Gypsy, who is trying to escape the toxic relationship she has with her mother. Gypsy's quest for independence opens up a Pandora's box of secrets, which ultimately leads to murder.

Stars: Patricia Arquette, Joey King, AnnaSophia Robb, Chloë Sevigny

Votes: 37,721

30. Escape at Dannemora (2018)

TV-MA | 63 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

A female prison employee in upstate New York becomes romantically involved with a pair of inmates and helps them escape.

Stars: Benicio Del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano, Bonnie Hunt

Votes: 28,019

31. Sybil (1976)

TV-14 | 66 min | Biography, Drama

A young woman whose childhood was so harrowing to her that she developed sixteen different personalities is treated by a doctor.

Stars: Joanne Woodward, Sally Field, Brad Davis, Martine Bartlett

Votes: 7,462



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