The 40 most popular 2020s war & politics TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.


Lioness
2023
country: United States
Cruz Manuelos, a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine, is recruited to join the CIA's Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within. Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program, is tasked with training, managing and leading her female undercover operatives.


My Dearest
2023
country: South Korea
A love-story between a noblewoman and a mysterious man who shows up in her hometown set in the 1600s during the Qing invasion.


Has Fallen
2024
country: France
A protection officer and an MI6 operative team up after a terrorist attack. They suspect a mole as they race to thwart a larger conspiracy threatening Paris.


The Shadow Team
2021
country: Turkey
A team of elite agents within Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation are recruited for covert operations — on the condition that the outside world believes they are dead. Led by veteran officer Mete Bey, the shadow team carries out high-stakes missions at home and abroad, battling terrorist networks and foreign threats to national security. Drawn from real events, it's Turkey's answer to the spy thriller genre — patriotic, action-packed and relentlessly tense.


Shōgun
2024
country: United States
In Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.


History of the World
2020
country: Australia
It's about human history, how humans shaped the world we live in. A history through cultures and civilizations - from early Mesopotamia to the industrial revolution. Documentary series from various european production company’s like BBC, SVT, NRK, DR, ARTE, Covering serveral topics of war, Persons Like Cleopatra, Hitler, George Washington, etc


Vikings: Valhalla
2022
country: United States
In this sequel to "Vikings," a hundred years have passed and a new generation of legendary heroes arises to forge its own destiny — and make history.


Pursuit of Jade
2026
country: China
This drama follows Fan Changyu, a butcher’s daughter, and Xie Zheng, a fallen noble seeking revenge. Their fake marriage turns into true love, but war tears them apart. Determined, Fan Changyu wields her butcher’s knife on the battlefield, searching for justice and her husband. Meanwhile, Xie Zheng reclaims his title, fighting to protect his country and love. Reunited in battle, they stand together, defying fate, uncovering the truth, and returning home without forgetting their vows.


Mehmed: Sultan of Conquests
2024
country: Turkey
The epic story of Mehmed II — the young Ottoman prince who defied palace enemies, survived treachery and deposition, and returned to fulfil his life's dream: the conquest of Constantinople. Spanning his rise from a doubted heir to one of history's most consequential rulers, the series unfolds across palace intrigue, battlefield warfare and a psychological chess match between two great empires. Praised as the finest Turkish historical series in years — cinematic, fast-paced and historically grounded.


86 EIGHTY-SIX
2021
country: Japan
Called “Juggernaut,” these are the unmanned combat drones developed by the Republic of San Magnolia in answer to the attacks by the autonomous unmanned drones of the neighboring Empire of Giad, the “Legion”. But they’re only unmanned in name. In reality, they are piloted by the Eighty-sixers—those considered to be less than human and treated as mere tools. Determined to achieve his own mysterious ends, Shin, the captain of Spearhead Squadron, which is comprised of Eighty-sixers, continues to fight a hopeless war on a battlefield where only death awaits him.


The Diplomat
2023
country: United States
Amid an international crisis, a US diplomat contends with her high-profile job as ambassador to the UK and her strained marriage to a political star.


JÓLVANEZÍGY
2023
country: Hungary
No overview available


Masters of the Air
2024
country: United States
During World War II, airmen risk their lives with the 100th Bomb Group, a brotherhood forged by courage, loss, and triumph.


Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia
2026
country: Japan
After losing her mother and her homeland, Sitara’s despair transforms into determination with the power of knowledge. New possibilities unfold when a family of scholars takes her in, deepening her education. Meanwhile, Genghis Khan’s Mongol Empire conquers nation after nation, nearing Sitara’s new home. After the Fourth Prince of the empire takes her captive, a flame of revenge is ignited.


Amend: The Fight for America
2021
country: United States
Will Smith hosts this look at the evolving, often lethal, fight for equal rights in America through the lens of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment.


Kings
2022
country: Brazil
Kings will tell the story of the nation of Israel, from the moment when the last judge, the prophet Samuel, is used by God to guide His people, to the sad fall of Jerusalem, caused by the armies of Babylon.


Zero Day
2025
country: United States
A former U.S. President is called out of retirement to find the source of a deadly cyberattack, only to discover a vast web of lies and conspiracies.


Boots
2025
country: United States
After impulsively joining the U.S. Marine Corps, a bullied teen finds new purpose — and unexpected brotherhood — with his motley team of fellow recruits.


Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World
2020
country: Japan
For years, a great war has raged on between the scientifically advanced Empire and a paradise of witches known as the Nebulis Sovereignty. This age-old battle sets the scene for a fateful encounter between two young combatants: an imperial swordsman, Iska, and the witch princess, Aliceliese. As sworn enemies, they vow to cut each other down in order to unite their worlds, and yet Iska finds himself entranced by her beauty and righteousness, while Aliceliese is moved by his strength and resolve. In the midst of a never-ending war that forbids them from being together, they have no choice but to destroy each other-or find another way.


Love Like the Galaxy
2022
country: China
Cheng Shaoshang, left behind by her parents who went off to war, faces challenges from a scheming aunt and struggles with estrangement from her family. Lacking love and security, she is cautious in choosing a marriage partner and meets three suitors: Ling Buyi, the emperor's adopted son; Yuan Shen, a talented figure from Bailu Mountain; and Lou Yao, an aristocrat. Despite a rocky path to love, Shaoshang remains steadfast. Her involvement with Ling Buyi leads them into a mystery surrounding his family and identity and together they confront a national crisis, growing through their experiences and upholding their ideals.


Snowdrop
2021
country: South Korea
An enduring love story in 1987 Seoul; Young-ro, a female university student, treats the bleeding Soo-ho, a student attending a prestigious university, who one day jumps into a women's university dormitory despite the dangerous situation.


Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre
2025
country: Philippines
Terra, the missing daughter of Danaya, grows up in the human world, unaware of her true heritage. She takes on the role of a superhero before returning to Encantadia to confront a new enemy.


What Will You Do, Ieyasu?
2023
country: Japan
He lost his land, his father, and was torn from his mother. Lonely and wounded, young Takechiyo thought he'd live out his days quietly as a hostage. But fate had other plans. Inspired by Mikawa warriors, he becomes a minor lord and dives into a war-torn world ruled by monsters like Nobunaga and Shingen.Life-or-death moments, miscalculations, and no time to breathe—what will you do, Ieyasu?


Star City
2026
country: United States
Step into a thrilling chapter inspired by For All Mankind. Same alt-history universe. Different perspective: the Soviet Union's. Go behind the Iron Curtain with the cosmonauts, engineers, and intelligence officers who risked it all in the race for the Moon.


The Bay of Spies
2023
country: Poland
Based on true events, "The Bay of Spies" follows Franz Neumann, a young Nazi Abwehr officer, who discovers that his real father was Polish. Using this information to his advantage Franz becomes a spy for the Allies with the code name Got’ His task is to obtain information about the activities of the German Navy, the Kriegsmarine and report back to the allies. Using his charm and charisma, Franz manipulates the men he gets close to, makes women fall in love with him, and snakes his way into the German elite.


The New Look
2024
country: United States
The shocking story of how fashion icon Christian Dior and his contemporaries including Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, and Cristóbal Balenciaga navigated the horrors of World War Il and launched modern fashion.


The Sympathizer
2024
country: United States
Near the end of the Vietnam War, a spy who was embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community, where he continues to gather intelligence and report back to the Viet Cong.


Sandokan
2025
country: Italy
Sandokan is a Malaysian pirate who, along with his friend Yanez and their crew, attacks the British forces from his island of Mompracem. During his adventures, he falls in love with Lady Marianna Guillonk, an English-Italian aristocrat.


The Rebel Princess
2021
country: China
A princess trapped by prophecy and political intrigue finds love with her reluctant husband as they battle rebels and fight to protect their realm.


SAS Rogue Heroes
2022
country: United Kingdom
The dramatised account of how the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two.


Decisive Victory
2021
country: China
For the first time, the drama "Decisive Victory" presents a panoramic view of the three major battles of Liaoshen, Huaihai and Pingjin in the form of a TV series, presenting a dramatic battle of China's destiny. It presents the three battles in three dimensions by telling the stories of strategy, tactics and battles and presents a vivid individual in the grand war through colorful characters.


A Small Light
2023
country: United States
Miep Gies didn't hesitate when her boss Otto Frank came to her and asked her to hide his family from the Nazis during World War II. For the next two years, Miep, her husband Jan, and the other helpers watched over the eight souls in hiding in the Secret Annex. And it was Miep who found Anne's Diary and kept it safe so Otto, the only one of the eight who survived, could later share it with the world as one of the most powerful accounts of the Holocaust.


The Long Ballad
2021
country: China
Li Chang Ge's family was murdered by Li Shi Min, the Emperor of Tang, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident. She heads to Shuo Province under the guise of a man with hopes of raising an army to kill Li Shi Min to avenge her family's death. However, as a captain of the army of Shuo Province in Zhangzhou, she loses a siege by the Eastern Turkic Khaganate General Ashina Sun, who takes her to serve him as a personal military strategist.


Dolls' Frontline
2022
country: Japan
In the fallout of nuclear war, the last of humanity survives with the help of life-like androids known as Dolls. Built to serve, some fight in wars as Tactical Dolls or T-Dolls. Now, an elite team comprised of T-Dolls are sent to face a new rogue threat, Sangvis Ferri. Leading them into battle is their new human commander, M4A1.


Saladın: The Conqueror of Jerusalem
2023
country: Turkey
The television series centers on the life of Salahudddin, a 12th-century Muslim ruler, and his conquest of Jerusalem. It also delves into his challenges and conflicts against the Crusaders, as well as his ambition to unify the Muslim territories of Syria, northern Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Egypt under his leadership.


The Good Lord Bird
2020
country: United States
Henry 'Little Onion' Shackleford, a newly freed teenager joins abolitionist John Brown on a holy crusade to end slavery. Onion encounters Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, and he finds himself as a part of the famous 1859 raid at Harpers Ferry.


Hostage
2025
country: United Kingdom
When the British prime minister's husband is kidnapped and the French president starts receiving threats, both leaders must face an impossible choice.


Winter Begonia
2020
country: China
In 1937 Beijing, a revered opera star and a businessman unite to preserve culture, love, and hope as their city falls under the shadow of invasion.


The Law According to Lidia Poët
2023
country: Italy
In late 19th-century Turin, young Lidia Poët fights against everything and everyone to get what is rightfully hers: to be enrolled in the official register of lawyers; a profession, at the time, reserved exclusively for men. Nevertheless, nothing could stop her dream of becoming the first female lawyer in Italy.


The Tattooist of Auschwitz
2024
country: United Kingdom
The powerful real-life story of Lali Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who was tasked with tattooing ID numbers on prisoners' arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War II.
Television in the 2020s is defined by streaming saturation and its correction — shorter seasons, faster cancellations, and international productions competing on equal footing with American ones.
War and political series use serial length to show process: campaigns, negotiations, and institutions grinding forward. The genre works best when it's interested in systems rather than just speeches.