Historical TV and Historical Fiction: Exploring the Boundaries Between Fact and Fiction

The Crown is a historical drama series that follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the events that shaped her life and the monarchy.

Kingsbridge Cathedral is the fictional cathedral at the heart of Ken Follett's historical novel The Pillars of the Earth.

The Great is a historical comedy-drama series that portrays the reign of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.

Claire Randall is the time-traveling protagonist of Diana Gabaldon's historical fiction series Outlander.

The Borgias is a historical drama series that follows the lives of the Borgia family, a powerful and influential dynasty in Renaissance Italy.

Thomas Cromwell is the protagonist of Hilary Mantel's historical fiction novel Wolf Hall, which follows his rise to power in the court of Henry VIII.

The Tudors is a historical drama series that follows the story of Queen Elizabeth I of England, from her early years to her reign as a powerful monarch.

William of Baskerville is the Franciscan monk who investigates a series of murders in a medieval monastery in Umberto Eco's historical fiction novel The Name of the Rose.

Reign is a historical drama series that follows the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, from her early years in France to her reign in Scotland and her eventual execution.

Viviane is the priestess who serves as the guardian of the Isle of Avalon in Marion Zimmer Bradley's historical fiction novel The Mists of Avalon.

Medici: Masters of Florence is a historical drama series that follows the story of the Medici family, a powerful and influential dynasty in Renaissance Florence.

Wart is the name of the young boy who is destined to become King Arthur in T.H. White's historical fiction novel The Once and Future King.

Genghis Khan is a historical drama series that follows the life of Genghis Khan, the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.

Liesel Meminger is the young girl who narrates the story set in Nazi Germany in Markus Zusak's historical fiction novel The Book Thief.

Rome is a historical drama series that follows the story of the Roman Republic, from its early days to the rise of Julius Caesar.