10 Historical Series That Might Make Your History Teacher Cringe, but Who Cares?

1. Reign

Enter Mary, Queen of Scots, young, naive, and definitely not wearing the corsets that the 16th century prescribed. We're in France, and Mary's meant to marry Francis. Politics, religion, and good ol' love triangles fill the court. Did Nostradamus really predict all these courtly catastrophes? Spoiler: No. Toss history books out, and welcome anachronistic pop songs and costumes. Reign gives history a teen drama twist, and well, some of us are living for it.

2. Knightfall

Ever heard of the Knights Templar and their valiant quests for the Holy Grail? Knightfall goes, Hold my goblet. We're introduced to Landry, a Templar with a penchant for breaking vows. The Grail's gone, folks, and this series won't let you forget its importance. Cue betrayals, battles, and some very inaccurate Templar behaviors. This isn't your history class's Templar order, it's prime-time drama's. For anyone wanting a soap opera set in the Middle Ages, this is your go-to.

3. The Tudors

Sexy, suave, and a bit slim – say hello to the new Henry VIII. Forget the stout king of portraits; Jonathan Rhys Meyers brings an edgier take. Six wives, but hey, who's counting? Was Anne Boleyn really that seductive? Did they forget a couple of Henry's children? Minor details! While The Tudors may give historians palpitations, its riveting drama and lavish sets are a guilty pleasure for many.

4. Marco Polo

Asia through Marco Polo's eyes, or at least a Hollywood version of them. Kublai Khan's court never seemed so, well... inaccurate? Between desert escapades, blind martial art tutors, and an abundance of inaccuracies, Marco's adventures become legend. Was that how the Song Dynasty fell? Were Mongol courts really Netflix drama-worthy? Historical fidelity takes a backseat, but exotic allure is at the wheel in this thrilling, albeit twisted, tale.

5. Atlantis

A city submerged and tales as deep as the ocean. But wait, is that Jason of the Argonauts in the lead? Mythologies mesh and tangle, as Minotaurs and cursed love stories find a home in this sunken city. Atlantis, known for its mysteries, gets a few more added to its name here. Was Pythagoras really that much into action? Was Hercules the comic relief? One thing's for sure: it's a deep dive into fantasy, not a history lesson.

6. Dracula

Bram Stoker's tale, but with a twist! Dracula sails from Transylvania to Victorian London, seeking something more than blood – revenge! While historical purists might recoil at the liberties taken, gothic enthusiasts lap it up, much like Dracula at a blood feast. Was this how the famous vampire's tale went down? Perhaps not, but who needs facts when there's flamboyant fiction?

7. Da Vinci's Demons

Leonardo da Vinci, the painter? Nah, meet Leonardo the action hero. Florence's political intrigues, secret societies, and, of course, the pursuit of the mysterious Book of Leaves. Was young Leo really involved in all this skullduggery? Does it matter when he's busy inventing, romancing, and sword-fighting? The true Renaissance man, albeit with a Hollywood touch. Historical? Debatable. Entertaining? Absolutely.

8. World Without End

Kingsbridge Cathedral, England's medieval era. Two centuries after Pillars of the Earth, but the drama hasn't aged a day. Wars, plague, famine, and... love triangles (again!). Did the people really face these melodramatic mishaps? Were nuns and knights so... adventurous? With historical deviations aplenty, this series might have your history teacher pulling their hair out. Yet, there's no denying its grip on our binge-watching habits.

9. Xena: Warrior Princess

Ancient Greece, or at least a version of it, where myths, gods, and warriors abound. Xena, a warrior with a dark past, seeks redemption with her loyal companion, Gabrielle. From Hercules to Julius Caesar, history and mythology jumble together. Was Xena a real historical figure? Do we care when there's so much action and drama? Xena shouts her battle cry, defying any historical basis but winning our 90s hearts.

10. Legend of the Seeker

Based loosely on Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth series, here comes a tale of a young woodsman turned Seeker. Darken Rahl, the tyrant, needs to be defeated, and Richard Cypher is the chosen one. While not historical, its medieval-esque setting throws many for a loop. Were Confessors real? Mord'Sith? Does the term loosely based cover the breadth of its deviation? For fans of swashbuckling fantasy drama, this one's a hit, history be damned.