10 Great Shows To Watch if You Love ‘Braveheart’

Following William Wallace (Mel Gibson) as the murder of his wife inspires him to lead the Scots in a war for independence against the English and King Edward I (Patrick McGoohan) from the late 1200s into the early 1300s, Braveheart stands as an enduring icon of epic cinema. While its greatness may be cemented in its five Academy Award wins, including Best Picture, its legacy in pop-culture has been forged through its poignant story of injustice and revenge, its focus on oppression and defiance, and, of course, its depiction of Scotland’s natural beauty and unique culture.

Regardless of which of these qualities appeals to any given audience member most, there are a plethora of television series capable of recapturing Braveheart‘s arresting tone. Ranging from historical epics to fantasy romances, these TV shows are perfect for those who still regard Braveheart to be one of the best pictures of all time, 30 years on from its initial release.

10

‘Outlander’ (2014–)

Image via Starz

With its historical setting, notes of romance, depictions of battle, and, of course, the prominent role the Scottish countryside and culture plays in its story, Outlander is perhaps the perfect television recommendation for fans of Braveheart. Throwing a dose of fantasy into the mix as well, it follows an English nurse in the aftermath of WWII who finds herself whisked back in time 200 years into the thralls of the Jacobite rebellion. Amid the fierce warring between Scotland and the crown, she falls in love with a Highland warrior, forging a romance that endures even as they are parted by centuries.

Bolstered by strong performances, impressive production value, and the inherent wonder of Diana Gabaldon‘s novel series that serves as its basis, Outlander thrives as an enriching plunge into 18th-century history that offers globe-trotting intrigue while still reveling in the allure of Scotland. The series is set to conclude early in 2026 with the release of its eighth and final season. All seven seasons released thus far have earned widespread critical acclaim and overwhelming fan approval.

9

‘Roar’ (1997)

Image via FOX

It may not have garnered the best reviews in television history, and its mere one-season run is indicative of its many faults, but Roar is an easily revisited dose of forgotten B-grade charm that is of particular interest to modern viewers for the role it played in the trajectory of stars Heath Ledger and Vera Farmiga ascent towards Hollywood fame. A tale of oppression and honor, it follows young Irish prince Conor (Ledger) as, still reeling from the massacre of his family, he leads a group of rebels against the invading Roman legions while trying to unite the warring Celtic clans to fight as one.

While elements of its production have aged woefully—and probably weren’t all that good to begin with—Roar still boasts a resonant story of defiance in the face of subjugation and slavery that matches the emotional tone of Braveheart. It’s not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but Roar‘s lean eight-episode run still provides a historical story of resistance and heroism that, complemented by some fantasy elements as well, has a certain appeal in its aspirations and shortcomings alike.

8

‘The Hollow Crown’ (2012–2016)

Image via PBS

A series for those who view the political intrigue and power struggles that underline Wallace’s impassioned rebellion in Braveheart, The Hollow Crown is a fascinating historical drama from the BBC that emphasizes themes of leadership, corruption, and the necessary compromises one must make in order to seize and maintain control. While the series as a whole consists of just seven episodes, each one flaunts a frankly incredible cast as it places its focus on specific eras of different English monarchs, the challenges they faced, and the support and betrayal they faced from those around them.

Its high production value and sophisticated storytelling ability marry with its ensemble cast to provide a richly engrossing historical drama that examines notions of power and prestige that are, in some ways, still relevant today. It may not feature much in the way of grueling battlefield sequences or the allure of the Scottish countryside, but The Hollow Crown remains an enrapturing drama imbued with an epic grandeur that all television lovers—and history buffs—can appreciate.

7

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Maligned though it may be for its infamous final season, Game of Thrones still stands as perhaps the greatest epic television has ever seen. Based on George R. R. Martin‘s A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, it sees the land of Westeros plunged into all-out war as the ruling houses of the region contest for the Iron Throne, with political betrayals and large-scale assaults defining the triumph of victory and the decimation of defeat.

While its basis in medieval times gives Game of Thrones something of a historical allure, especially with the magnitude of its production value, the series’ true allure to fans of Braveheart is found in the scope of its battle sequences. Whether it is the Battle of the Blackwater, the Battle of Hardhome, or, most notably, the Battle of the Bastards, the series is jam-packed with the most visceral depictions of sword warfare television has ever seen.

6

‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015–2022)

Image via Netflix

Based on Bernard Cornwell‘s historical novel series The Saxon Stories, The Last Kingdom explores one of the most violent and volatile chapters in English history with striking visual flair, a litany of compelling performances, and impressive production design. It centers on Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), the son of an English noble who was raised by the Danes, as his conquest to retake his home of Bebbanburg sees him forge alliances with both noble lords and Viking tribesmen amid a nationwide struggle for power between the Saxons and the Danes.

A fascinating work of historical fiction, The Last Kingdom conjures up intriguing central characters with great depth and complexity while using them to explore the wider conflict that engulfed 9th and 10th century England. Complemented by some engrossing, visceral combat sequences and a certain interest in political betrayals, The Last Kingdom is a perfect series for fans of Braveheart‘s action intensity and illustration of power and influence in Britain through the Middle Ages.

5

‘Vikings’ (2013–2020)

Image via History Channel 

Through both film and television, Viking stories became something of a defining trend through the 2010s, with one of the fad’s most impressionable releases being Vikings. While it is broader in terms of its historical accuracy than other entries in the genre, the History and Amazon Prime Video series has an enrapturing appeal, especially in its earlier seasons that focus on Ragnar Lothbrok’s (Travis Fimmel) raids on England, the success of which sees his status rise in Scandinavian culture to the point that he becomes the most important figure in the region.

With many of the series’ main characters being inspired by either real or legendary Viking figures, such as Ragnar Lothbrok being based on the mythical Viking hero Ragnar Lodbrok, Vikings holds that same air of intrigue and legend as Braveheart. Also featuring plenty of grounded and gripping combat sequences and an in-depth look at the structures and maneuverings of English rule, Vikings is a gem of modern television laced with all the historical detail and combative excitement one could want.

4

‘Britannia’ (2018–2021)

Image via Prime Video

Running for three seasons, Britannia brings a unique lens to historical conflict, one laced with a mindset for progressive storytelling and high fantasy. Its appeal to those who adore Braveheart resides in its integral story of resistance and war and its historical lens, with the series starting in 43 AD with Rome’s invasion of Britain. Emphasising both sides of the conflict, it sees Celtic rivals Kerra (Kelly Reilly) and Antedia (Zoë Wanamaker) join forces while the Roman general Aulus Plautius (David Morrissey) leads his troops even as they grow terrified in the face of a magical enemy.

While its ties to Braveheart are evident in its basic story outline, Britannia employs a drastically different tone, one of camp fantasy and spellbinding hysteria that results in a high-energy viewing experience, albeit not the most serious or dramatic one. Still, rich with historical intrigue, thrilling combat sequences, and a certain air of mythic legend, Britannia is a gem of modern television that revels in being wonderfully bonkers.

3

‘Rome’ (2005–2007)

Image via HBO

If it is purely the historical detail and awe-inspiring scope of Braveheart that one likes, then there are few series better suited to their tastes than HBO’s Rome. While its planned five-season run had to be cut short due to the series’ enormous production being financially unsustainable, the series’ two-season tenure still offers plenty of fascinating moments for history buffs, with its exploration of the fall of the republic and the rise of the Roman Empire being underlined by a commitment to historical accuracy and a masterful sense of large-scale storytelling.

While Rome is focused on the shifting political tide of the times, the betrayals that ensued, and how such upheaval impacted the lives of the Roman people, the series is still laced with plenty of grueling action sequences for those who love Braveheart‘s sense of combative realism and grit. It is an enduring highlight of 2000s television, a feat of historical drama, and a perfect series for those who love their socks-and-sandals stories as gritty and unflinching as possible.

2

‘Arn’ (2010)

Image via Entertainment One

An underrated gem of medieval intrigue coming from Sweden, Arn thrives with its epic scope, focus on themes of chivalry and honor, immaculately staged battle sequences, and its deft ability to blend historical fact with fiction. With its epic scope exploring conflict both in the Crusades and in Sweden, the series follows Arn (Joakim Nätterqvist) as he embarks on a mighty ordeal in order to win back his love, who has been confined to a monastery. Facing civil war in his homeland and the brutality of the Holy War in Jerusalem, Arn proves to be a consequential warrior wherever he goes.

Like Braveheart, Arn places much of its focus on conflicts of its time, be it the physical turmoil of warfare or the internal search for morality in a world of violence ruled by kings and the church. While it is slow and measured in its pacing, Arn does reward viewers when the time for combat comes, delivering an arresting depiction of battle.

1

‘Spartacus’ (2010–2013)

Image via Starz

A lot of people who are familiar with Spartacus know it for its explicit content. Its graphic sex scenes, stylized ultra-violence, and profanity-laden dialogue do tend to border on the gratuitous at times, but beneath that veneer of shock value resides a surprising depth and some underrated narrative craft. Its three-season arc follows Spartacus (Andy Whitfield and Liam McIntyre) as he goes from being a gladiator consigned to death to the leader of a slave revolt that threatens to bring the Roman Empire to its knees.

Its story of rising against oppression is one of the most rousing and immersive the small screen has seen. While Season 1 finds a truly magnificent allure in its celebration of its own gratuity, the ensuing seasons delve deeper into themes of resistance and freedom, finding plenty of rousing and richly emotional moments in the process, especially in its astounding final stretch of episodes. Spartacus is a striking guilty pleasure, but it is more than that as well, with its story of slaves fighting back against the conquerors in perfect harmony with Braveheart‘s tale of rebellion, hope, and the want of freedom.

NEXT: 8 Greatest War Revenge Movies, Ranked