Content Warning: The following article contains mentions of homophobia, suicide, and murder.
For viewers who have been hooked by Hulu's recent miniseries The Dropout, there are plenty of other riveting shows revolving around real-life stories and events. In a world full of franchise films and familiar titles, studios are utilizing miniseries to take the place of what was once the mid-budget movie. The recent trend in the rising limited series format has been to focus on biographical pieces that question what makes the world's most famous figures tick.
The days of actors paying their dues on TV before struggling to make the leap to film are long gone; today, major Oscar-nominated actors and directors are choosing to downsize to the small screen in favor of dramatic roles that show off their acting chops.
The Dropout (2022)
Being heralded as one of Amanda Seyfried's best performances and already generating awards buzz, she stars as disgraced Silicon Valley CEO Elizabeth Holmes. The Dropout follows the rise and fall of Holmes as she evolves from an ambitious, awkward teenager to the ruthless founder of the biotechnology company Theranos.
Theranos was once heralded as a breakthrough in modern medicine before its shiny veneer was stripped away in an exposing article from The Wall Street Journal in 2015. The contents of the article prompted several lawsuits and the eventual shutdown of Theranos.
Joe Vs. Carole (2022)
In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, it seemed that all anyone could talk about was Netflix's docuseries Tiger King and its star felon, Joe Exotic. The show's hype inspired countless memes and Halloween costumes, as well as this dramatized retelling of events from Peacock.
Starring SNL alumnus Kate McKinnon as Carole, Joe vs. Carole follows the unbelievable true story of eccentric American zookeeper Joe Exotic who was found guilty of hiring a hitman to take out his rival - animal sanctuary activist Carole Baskin, with whom he had held a long-standing feud.
Inventing Anna (2022)
Netflix and Shonda Rhimes' latest binge-worthy crime series follows the wild ride of Anna Sorokin, a Russian con artist who scammed and bluffed her way into New York's upper circle.
Inventing Anna tells the story of a journalist seeking to uncover the truth behind supposed German socialite Anna Delvey. Julia Garner stars as Anna, who, armed with a designer wardrobe and fake accent, swindled various hotels, banks, and individuals of over a quarter of a million dollars.
Pam & Tommy (2022)
Despite lacking the support of Pamela Anderson herself (via Entertainment Tonight), Pam & Tommy still drew positive responses from audiences and critics alike. Lily James' chameleonic transformation into the Baywatch star shocked viewers, and Sebastian Stan is as reliable as ever in his turn as Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in the twilight phase of his career.
Hulu's Pam & Tommy follows the whirlwind, turbulent relationship between the titular pair and the media frenzy and double standards caused by the unsolicited release of their stolen sex tape, which was exacerbated by the rise of the internet in the 90s.
American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson (2016)
The People v. O.J. Simpson follows the highly publicized case of NFL star O.J. Simpson and his supposed involvement in the double murder of his ex-wife and her boyfriend. The series covers the infamous Ford Bronco highway chase, the Kardashian family's ties with Simpson, and the televised court case that culminated in a 'not guilty' verdict.
The O.J. case remains one of the most famous trials in modern history due to Simpson's position as a beloved public figure and for the common belief that O.J. was wrongly acquitted. The series was critically acclaimed upon its release, winning nine Emmys including Outstanding Limited Series.
It's A Sin (2021)
Although centered on fictional characters, It's A Sin covers a real period in history - the HIV/AIDS crisis. The series, set in 1980s England, follows a friendship group consisting of five gay men as they move to London and begin to hear news about a mysterious illness predominately affecting members of the gay community.
The depiction of friendship and joy among the young men despite rising homophobia and the invisible threat of AIDS looming over them creates an uplifting yet devastatingly poignant series. HIV continues to be a taboo subject today but shows like It's A Sin help reduce the stigma of an illness that is now much more manageable and preventable.
Chernobyl (2019)
HBO's five-part historical drama miniseries is a gripping, somber affair that details the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the destructive aftermath, and the heroic efforts to limit the damage in order to protect the rest of the world.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Stellan Skarsgård, Jared Harris, and Jessie Buckley, Chernobyl offers a well-researched look at the catastrophic chain of events and explores some of the lesser-known, more personal perspectives of the disaster, including from firefighters, miners, and cleanup volunteers.
Dopesick (2021)
Dopesick tells the very real story of America's ongoing opioid crisis and the role of Purdue Pharma in introducing the highly addictive OxyContin to America's Rust Belt whilst marketing it as a moderate painkiller that could not be abused.
The series follows several storylines of those affected by the opioid epidemic, including Michael Keaton's fictional small-town doctor as well as real-life government agents working to build a case against Purdue Pharma. Dopesick is an insightful, riveting watch that explores the role of corporate greed in exacerbating the opioid crisis.
The Offer (2022)
The Offer is an upcoming miniseries from Paramount+ that details the dramatic and tumultuous production history of Francis Ford Coppola's groundbreaking mobster film The Godfather, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Revealing behind-the-scenes facts about The Godfather, The Offer stars Miles Teller as Albert S. Ruddy, the sole producer of the film, who, between working with an uncompromising 29-year-old Coppola and receiving threats from the real-life mafia, faced extraordinary hurdles in getting one of the greatest films of all time made.
The Girl From Plainville (2022)
The drama series from Hulu chronicles the so-called 'texting suicide case' of 2014, when American teenager Michelle Carter was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for sending her long-distance boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, text messages encouraging him to take his own life.
Elle Fanning stars as the suburban Carter who, at 17 years old, became embroiled in a disturbing, unprecedented criminal trial that questioned the way in which crimes are defined and the dangerous power of digital relationships in the modern world.