Several alternate-history TV shows in the last few decades have hosted a vast array of diverse narratives and timelines. These stories twist established history, leading to a vastly different and fascinating outcome. However, as with most genres, certain conventions, or "tropes," commonly appear in these alternate-history tales. I'll first explore some of the recurring aspects of the show's approach to alternate history before diving into the top list of alternate history shows.
Alternate History TV Shows
Alternate history TV shows offer an exciting exploration of "what if" scenarios. They posit changes to key historical events and explore the ripple effects of these changes on the world. Such shows can range from the dramatic, like the totalitarian regimes of The Man in the High Castle, to the adventurous, as seen in the multidimensional travels of Sliders. Each approaches alternate history differently, as I explore in the next section.
Alternate History TV Tropes
Remember that this top 10 list is not all-encompassing, and it’s not ordered based on “best,” for that’s
Tropes in alternate history TV shows are recurring themes or elements that shape and structure the narrative. Here are a few common ones:
Altered Historical Figures
This trope involves placing a historical figure in a context radically different from what we know —for instance, Lindbergh as president in The Plot Against America.
Alternative Technological Development Often, alternate history shows depict a world where technology has taken a different turn—like the advanced space program in For All Mankind.
Oppressive Alternate Regimes
These shows often imagine a world where a totalitarian regime won out, such as the Greater Nazi Reich in The Man in the High Castle.
Parallel Universes
Some shows explore the existence of numerous realities, each slightly different, often accessible through some form of travel or transition, like the portals in Fringe and Counterpart.
Time Travel and Changing History
Many alternate history narratives involve time travel, either as a mechanism to change history, as in 11.22.63, or as a way of exploring different historical possibilities, as seen in Sliders.
Understanding these tropes can help viewers recognize common themes and narrative devices in alternate history TV shows, enhancing their viewing experience and comprehension of the genre. This genre uses these common threads to construct narratives that are, despite their familiarity, wildly different and wholly unique in their exploration of the question what if? So, what are some of the top TV shows that fit into this genre?
A Top Ten List of Alternate History TV Shows
Keep in mind this top 10 list is not all-encompassing, and it’s not ordered based on “best,” for that’s really a subjective opinion. Here’s just a short list of TV shows that utilize aspects of alternate history as part of their story.
The Man in the High Castle (2015-2019)
Based on Philip K. Dick's novel of the same name, this series presents a chilling scenario where the Axis powers won World War II. The United States was divided into the Greater Nazi Reich in the east and the Japanese Pacific States in the west, with a neutral zone separating them. The show intricately weaves personal stories within a grand narrative of resistance and defiance.
Watchmen (2019)
This HBO series, a sequel to the comic book of the same name, presents an alternate reality where superheroes are treated as outlaws. Set in a parallel America where the Watergate scandal never occurred, and Vietnam is the 51st state, the show's exploration of racism, vigilantism, and police brutality provides a fresh perspective on our world.
Hunters (2020-2023)
Hunters is an American drama web television series created by David Weil. It was produced by Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions and was first released on Amazon Prime Video in February 2020. The series is set in 1977 New York City and follows a diverse band of Nazi hunters who discover that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among them and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the United States.
For All Mankind (2019-present)
This Apple TV+ series rewrites the space race, imagining a world where the Soviet Union was the first to land a man on the moon. The shock propels NASA to strive for more ambitious goals, leading to a rapidly accelerated space program. The show presents a fascinating alternative Cold War era, driven by technology and ambition.
11.22.63 (2016)
Based on Stephen King's novel, this Hulu miniseries follows a high school teacher who travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. However, he soon discovers that changing the past is far more dangerous than imagined.
Sliders (1995-2000)
Sliders follow a group of travelers as they "slide" through parallel worlds, each one slightly different from ours. From worlds where the British rule America to realities where dinosaurs still exist, "Sliders" provides a fun, adventurous romp through the multiverse.
The Plot Against America (2020)
An HBO miniseries based on Philip Roth's novel, this show imagines an America where aviation hero and xenophobic populist Charles Lindbergh becomes president, leading the nation towards fascism. It's a chilling exploration of how personal freedoms can be eroded in the face of fear and prejudice.
Counterpart (2017-2019)
Counterpart revolves around a United Nations employee discovering that his agency is hiding a gateway to a parallel dimension. As the geopolitical tension between the two worlds escalates, the show delves into questions of identity, destiny, and lost love.
Years and Years (2019)
Rather than looking back, this British series looks forward, projecting an alternate future based on current events. It follows a family from 2019 to 2034, highlighting technological advancements, political upheaval, and social changes in Britain.
Manhattan (2014-2015)
While not a true alternate history, "Manhattan" is set in the clandestine town of Los Alamos, New Mexico, during the race to build the first atomic bomb. It provides a fictionalized look at the moral, social, and scientific challenges faced by the scientists of the Manhattan Project.
From the dystopian to the idealistic, alternate history TV shows offer a kaleidoscope of realities shaped by different historical trajectories. In the next blog, I'll share some of my favorite alternate-history video games.
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