starz 18th century time travel show

• Starz Scottish 18th century time-travel show

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Claire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse in World War II, mysteriously goes back in time to Scotland in 1743. There, she meets a dashing Highland warrior and gets drawn into an epic rebellion. Claire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse in World War II, mysteriously goes back in time to Scotland in 1743. There, she meets a dashing Highland warrior and gets drawn into an epic rebellion. Claire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse in World War II, mysteriously goes back in time to Scotland in 1743. There, she meets a dashing Highland warrior and gets drawn into an epic rebellion.

• Ronald D. Moore
• Caitríona Balfe
• Sam Heughan
• Sophie Skelton
• 1K User reviews
• 51 Critic reviews
• 36 wins & 86 nominations total

Episodes 101

Photos 1565

• Claire Randall …

• Jamie Fraser

• Brianna Randall Fraser …

• Roger Wakefield …

• Murtagh Fraser

• Young Ian Murray …

• Lizzie Wemyss

• Frank Randall …

• Dougal MacKenzie …

• Rupert MacKenzie

• Keziah Beardsley …

• Laoghaire MacKenzie …

• Ronnie Sinclair

• Jocasta Cameron

• All cast & crew
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• Trivia According to Ronald D. Moore (the TV Series developer), his crew decided to keep the Gaelic words instead of translating them to English. This maintained the first person narrative by showing Claire's inability to understand Gaelic. This idea was suggested by producer David Brown , who said he's seen something similar in Skin Deep (1998), a foreign alternative movie starring the actor and singer Gustavo Goulart .
• Goofs In a few episodes, characters say"OK." An American term that didn't come into use until the 19th Century.
• Crazy credits The opening song changes from season to season to reflect what's happening in the story line. In the first half of Season 2 (which is set in France), part of the lyrics are in French. In the second half of Season 2 (which is mostly about preparing for war), there is a militaristic drum roll added to the opening song. During Season 3, there are tribal drums added because much of the season is set in the West Indies. In Season 4, bluegrass fiddle and banjos are added, plus some of the lyrics are sung with a Southern accent because the season is set mostly in America.
• Connections Featured in Outlander: An Epic Adaptation (2015)
• Soundtracks The Skye Boat Song (uncredited) Traditional Scottish air with lyrics by Sir Harold Boulton New lyrics by Robert Louis Stevenson

User reviews 1K

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• Aug 18, 2014
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• August 9, 2014 (United States)
• United States
• Official site
• Highland Saga
• Doune Castle, Doune, Stirling, Scotland, UK (Castle Leoch)
• Tall Ship Productions
• Story Mining & Supply Co.
• Left Bank Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

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Outlander  

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Season Four of "Outlander" continues the story of time-travel 1960's Claire Fraser and her 18th century husband Jamie Fraser as they try to make a home for themselves in the rough and dangerous 'New World' of America. ... more

Starring Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, John Bell

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Outlander explained: The rules of time travel in the Starz universe

Outlander may have romance at its core but it would be a very different story with the element of time travel., outlander’s catriona balfe discusses parenting during filming.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Outlander. 

Outlander is a magical drama no doubt, however, there are a number of rules when it comes to time travel in the Scottish series.

The epic love story between Jamie (played by Sam Heughan ) and Claire Fraser ( Caitriona Balfe ) began when the latter left her post Second World War life and travelled to 18th Century Scotland.

Since their paths crossed, Jamie and Claire have been besotted by one another, although they have had plenty of issues also caused by the time travel that brought them together.

For the most part in seasons five and six, the Fraser family stayed put in Scotland but series seven saw the stones at Craigh Na Dun once again needed.

Brianna Fraser’s (Sophie Skelton) daughter Mandy had a heart defect and needed modern medical care so they, along with her husband Roger (Richard Rankin) and their son Jemmy left to get help in the 1980s.

Read more: Eleanor Tomlinson gave devastated Sam Heughan advice on Outlander's ending

Rules of Outlander time travel explained

Two of the most important elements when it comes to travelling throughout time in author Diana Gabaldon’s world are location and timing.

While the show heavily uses the stones at Craigh na Dun, it isn’t the only place in the world where time travel is possible.

It can also take place at the Abandawe Cave in Jamaica as well as the Ocracoke Stone Circle in North Carolina, although the Scottish stones are closest to the Starz characters.

Those wishing to time travel will also need to be selective of when to go as it seems to be easier during the changing seasons.

Don't miss... Sam Heughan teases steamy new TV show away from Outlander role [TEASER] Outlander's Sam Heughan almost had 'second thoughts' on Men in Kilts season 2 [EXPLAINER] Outlander's Sam Heughan posts grisly 'injury' photo ahead of exciting new role [CAST]

For instance, Claire first travelled back in time after the Gaelic May Day Festival which is between the spring and summer solstice.

Meanwhile, Brianna and Roger travelled during the winter and summer solstice so perhaps these are the times that are best to go if you want the journey as seamless as possible.

To protect yourself, travellers must wear a precious gemstone so they can safely reach the other side without coming to any harm.

Those going through the stones must also bear in mind that they will end up around 200 years in the past or future, based on their own time.

In addition to this, time passes at the same rate no matter what era you are in.

So even though Jamie and Claire were separated for 20 years, two decades passed for both of them with the star-crossed lovers ageng at the same rate.

Executive producer Ron Moore told IGN: "The fundamental concept that Diana established is that when Claire goes into the past and spends two years there, when she returns to the 20th century, two years have also passed.

“One of the conceits of this show is when you’re traveling through and spending time, that much time elapses on the other side."

Outlander is available to watch on Starz.

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Outlander explained: The rules of time travel in the Starz universe

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Outlander.

Outlander is a magical drama no doubt, however, there are a number of rules when it comes to time travel in the Scottish series.

The epic love story between Jamie (played by Sam Heughan) and Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) began when the latter left her post Second World War life and travelled to 18th Century Scotland.

Since their paths crossed, Jamie and Claire have been besotted by one another, although they have had plenty of issues also caused by the time travel that brought them together.

For the most part in seasons five and six, the Fraser family stayed put in Scotland but series seven saw the stones at Craigh Na Dun once again needed.

Brianna Fraser's (Sophie Skelton) daughter Mandy had a heart defect and needed modern medical care so they, along with her husband Roger (Richard Rankin) and their son Jemmy left to get help in the 1980s.

Read more: Eleanor Tomlinson gave devastated Sam Heughan advice on Outlander's ending

Rules of Outlander time travel explained

Two of the most important elements when it comes to travelling throughout time in author Diana Gabaldon's world are location and timing.

While the show heavily uses the stones at Craigh na Dun, it isn't the only place in the world where time travel is possible.

It can also take place at the Abandawe Cave in Jamaica as well as the Ocracoke Stone Circle in North Carolina, although the Scottish stones are closest to the Starz characters.

Those wishing to time travel will also need to be selective of when to go as it seems to be easier during the changing seasons.

For instance, Claire first travelled back in time after the Gaelic May Day Festival which is between the spring and summer solstice.

Meanwhile, Brianna and Roger travelled during the winter and summer solstice so perhaps these are the times that are best to go if you want the journey as seamless as possible.

To protect yourself, travellers must wear a precious gemstone so they can safely reach the other side without coming to any harm.

Those going through the stones must also bear in mind that they will end up around 200 years in the past or future, based on their own time.

In addition to this, time passes at the same rate no matter what era you are in.

So even though Jamie and Claire were separated for 20 years, two decades passed for both of them with the star-crossed lovers ageng at the same rate.

Executive producer Ron Moore told IGN: "The fundamental concept that Diana established is that when Claire goes into the past and spends two years there, when she returns to the 20th century, two years have also passed.

"One of the conceits of this show is when you're traveling through and spending time, that much time elapses on the other side."

Outlander is available to watch on Starz.

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• REVIEW: <i>Outlander</i> Is Many Kinds of Show, All in One Kilt

REVIEW: Outlander Is Many Kinds of Show, All in One Kilt

T he first hour of Outlander (Starz, Saturdays, 9 p.m. ET) may have viewers who haven’t read the source material wondering exactly what kind of story it is–which can be a danger sign, or, as in this case, a good one.

Is it a supernatural story, because Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) finds herself spirited from 1945 to 1743 Scotland after coming across a druidic henge while on her second honeymoon? Is it historical fiction, because she finds herself taken captive by a Scottish clan at war with brutal English occupiers? Is it a romance, because Claire finds herself captivated by Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a soulful, roguish Scottie hottie who may do more to bring back the kilt than any TV love interest since Sex and the City ‘s Trey MacDougal ?

It turns out it’s all of these things, which makes Outlander —whose premiere is already online if you can’t wait for Saturday—an unusual combo even in an era of pop-culture genre mashups. But Claire herself suggests yet another description: it’s a story, in a way, about traveling to another planet. “It was like landing on an alien world you’d only glimpsed through a telescope,” she says, finding herself a 20th-century woman navigating a past she knows only from history books.

Certain things don’t change, however. Claire is whisked not just from one Scotland to an earlier one, but from the aftermath of one war to the midst of another. During WWII, we learn in flashback, Claire worked as a front-lines British army nurse while her husband Frank (Tobias Menzies, currently in The Honorable Woman), a soft-spoken academic, was in British Intelligence. The two “outlanders”–as the Scottish term the English–are vacationing up north to prepare to begin a family, and to try to find their way back to normal after years of horror.

The henge, however, has other ideas, and Outlander phase-shifts late in its first hour from a PBS-like production into a different kind of costume drama. After a dangerous run-in with a vicious Redcoat officer–who happens to look exactly like Frank (and is also played by Menzies)–she’s saved, but also made the prisoner (or “guest”) of the Scottish Clan MacKenzie. Her hosts/captors suspect she may be a spy, this curious Englishwoman with puzzling clothing (“What kind of corset is that?” a Scotswoman asks when seeing Claire’s 1940s bra) and an un-18th-century assertiveness–not to mention her knowledge of futuristic medical concepts like bacterial infection.

Claire is an outlander in more than one sense: an Englishwoman in a suspicious Scots clan, and a spirited woman in a patriarchal society. The show is based on a book series (which I haven’t read) by Diana Gabaldon and produced by Ronald D. Moore, who carries a sci-fi pedigree from Battlestar Galactica, but it doesn’t fuss much with the why-and-how of Claire’s time travel. Instead it settles into Claire’s involuntary exploration of the past–and Balfe makes a wry, infectiously engaging guide.

The result is the most promising show in years for Starz, which since Party Down ’s glory days has focused on blood-heavy spectacles like Spartacus and Black Sails or morose antihero dramas like Boss and Magic City . But it’s also something different in the larger universe of pay-cable drama: an epic drama told from the standpoint of an optimistic, resourceful woman rather than brooding, demon-chasing men.

That changes a lot, starting with the sex. Like Game of Thrones , Outlander is conscious of rape as a weapon of war, but it’s neither graphic nor gratuitous in portraying it. (In general, there seems to be more of a safety net as to how far Outlander will go in depicting the worst in human behavior–sexual or otherwise–not that there aren’t some brutal scenes.)

But there’s also the consensual sex–beginning with the fact that it exists, and not just for the enjoyment of male characters (and viewers). A tryst between Claire and Frank in the first episode, in which he kneels eagerly to pleasure her first, feels like a declaration of sexual principles. And then we have Claire’s 18th-century hall pass Jamie, of the strapping arms and roughly scarred torso– sexposition , meet pecs-position!–who establishes his guy-who-gets-it bona fides when Claire finds him wrangling a feisty horse. “She’s just a girl with spirit is all,” he says. “That’s always a good thing.” (Philosophical question: can you cheat on a husband who hasn’t been born yet?)

All this has raised the issue of whether men–or for that matter, women who are not already fans of the romance genre–will watch. Last week, Vanity Fair’s Joanna Robinson raised the hackles of some book fans by writing that Outlander’s credits, previewed in advance online, might scare off that audience with Bear McCreary’s plaintive highland-air theme song and the gauzy visuals of Stevie-Nicks-twirling druidesses.

I doubt Starz cares very much; the economics of cable mean a premium channel can do much better by targeting specific, underserved fans than trying to make something for everyone. The real problem with those credits is that they suggest a series way more misty and demure than Outlander actually is. This is a very writerly TV show–unfortunately, there’s so much voiceover narration that it’s sometimes like its own audiobook–but Claire is no starry-eyed poetic sap. She’s direct, clear-eyed, and unafraid to tell off her gruff Scotsman captors with an exasperated “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!,” my new expletive phrase of choice.

Good thing Claire is such good company, because after the enchanting first episode, the series wanders. Claire’s early focus is returning to “the stones” in hopes of returning home, but there’s no particular urgency. The series spends a lot of time luxuriating in the scenery and atmosphere, as if it’s meant to be binge-watched over a pot of tea on a rainy weekend at a bed and breakfast.

But once you accept, with Claire, that we may be sticking around for a while, Outlander becomes an intriguing kind of social drama, a study of a people under siege whose bristliness comes with a deep sense of honor. And the sixth episode, in which Claire again encounters Frank’s Redcoat doppelgänger, snaps the show into gear as it drives home the brutality of the occupation and the motivations of the rebelling clansfolk: it’s easily the series’ best episode yet.

It was also the last episode Starz offered for review. I haven’t read the source books, so I can offer no spoilers, though there are hints that Outlander is not nearly finished with its time-jumping convolutions. To a non-reader, it’s not necessarily clear, half a dozen episodes in, what kind(s) of story Outlander will turn out to be. But there’s enough to enjoy that you may not mind Claire taking her time and figuring it out.

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The Standing Stones of Stenness is a Neolithic monument on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland.

Fictional Outlander Series Has Real Links to Scotland’s Newly Unearthed Neolithic Ruins

Imagining time travel through ancient standing stones

In the first book in Diana Gabaldon's fictional Outlander series, Claire Randall, on her second honeymoon with her husband in Scotland after World War II, visits Craigh na Dun, a make-believe prehistoric stone circle near Inverness, and falls through the stones—and into the 18th century.

Written in My Own Heart's Blood is the eighth—and latest—book in the series. In all, the   Outlander books have cracked the   New York Times Best Seller list six times and have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, in 26 countries and 23 languages.

Well-drawn characters and vivid descriptions are part of   Outlande r's appeal, but Gabaldon's use of historically accurate details—aside from the time travel—also undergirds the plots. Through her writings, she's become an expert in 18th-century Scotland.

The long-awaited   Outlander television show premieres tomorrow night at 9 p.m. on STARZ.

Coincidentally,   National Geographic 's   August cover story, "The First Stonehenge," is about recently discovered Neolithic ruins in Scotland's Orkney Islands that, author Roff Smith writes, are "turning British prehistory on its head."

Gabaldon's story lines center on Scotland's ancient standing stones, so we asked her to give us a Scottish history lesson— Outlander style.

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Our August story focuses on the Orkney Islands. Have you visited Orkney?

I actually just visited Orkney about 18 months ago. A guide we know in Scotland took us to a number of the places mentioned in the article. We went to Skara Brae and Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar, and all of that. Fascinating place!

When reading the NG Orkney story, did you connect it with   Outlander at all?

Oh, yes, indeed. Not with the present book or the one I'm about to start working on, but to a different project. It will be a long time coming, but for a while now I've intended to write a book—or possibly more than one, as these things have a tendency to grow—about Master Raymond. He's the little apothecary Claire meets in Paris in   Dragonfly in Amber [the second book in the series].

The moment I looked at Skara Brae, I said, OK, this is it. This book will focus on Master Raymond, and Orkney is part of his story. I don't know what the whole story is yet—I just feel this deep resonating connection with him in Orkney.

What resonated with you the most when you visited the Neolithic sites in Orkney?

The connection the culture had to the landscape. Orkney has the kind of landscape that sort of lends itself to a relationship with the people. I think that relationship is intensified because of its remoteness and the long periods of time when there was no interaction with other cultures.

One structure remaining in Orkney is the standing stones. You use a similar circle of stones as a time portal for your main character, Claire Randall. Why did you choose the stones for a time portal?

Originally, I was just going to write historical fiction, but at about the third day of writing, I introduced this English woman, just to see what she'd do. I loosed her into a cottage full of Scotsmen, and one of the men stood up and said, "My name is Dougal McKenzie, and who might you be?" Without stopping to think, I just typed, "My name is Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp, and who the hell are you?" And then I thought, "You don't sound at all like an 18th-century person." [Chuckles]

I fought with her for several pages, but she wasn't having any of this—she just kept making smart-ass modern remarks. She also took over and started telling the story herself, so I said, "Well, I'm not going to fight with you all the way through this book. Go ahead and be modern. I'll figure out how you got there later." So it's all her fault that there is time travel in these books!

I was doing a lot of research on Scotland at that point because I'd never been there and kept coming across the standing stone circles. Every time I'd read about the stone circles, it would describe how they worked as an astronomical observance. For example, some of the circles are oriented so that at the winter solstice the sun will strike a standing stone. But all the texts speculate that nobody knows what the actual function of these stone circles was. And so I began thinking, Well, I bet I can think of one. [Laughs]

In the   Outlander universe, how did you make time travel seem plausible?

If you're going to write time travel stories, you have to sort of figure out how does time travel work in this particular universe that I'm dealing with.

There are lines of geomagnetic force running through the Earth's crust, and most of the time these run in opposing directions—forward and backward. In some places they deviate and will cross each other, and when that happens, you kind of get a geomagnetic mess going in all different directions. I call these vertices.

Essentially, it could be possible to have something like this nexus of crossing lines to create a little time vortex. And if you could have a person whose sensibility to geomagnetism is sufficiently advanced so that they can not only detect this but enter into it in some way, then you have a plausible way of time travel.

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So if prehistoric people noticed that every so often when people crossed that particular patch of grass, they disappeared, it would cause considerable consternation, and they might think it worthwhile marking that spot. So that might be the reason why the stones are there, and why they're set up the way they are, as in, "People tended to disappear on the winter solstice when they step over here, so don't do that!"

I will have to do a write-up called the Gabaldon Theory of Time Travel. [Laughs]

How much research have you conducted for the   Outlander series?

I'm not sure how you would quantify that. I've been doing research practically nonstop since I started writing. I do the research at the same time as I write, and it kind of feeds off itself. I would say I've been in a constant state of research for the past 24 years.

Can you give us a quick rundown on what history you have covered in your plot lines so far?

The story traces the political and physical revolution from the Jacobite rising all the way through the American Revolution. And on the other side of the time travel, we're dealing with World War II, and Claire's occasional flashbacks and knowledge of that war.

We began in 1743, just before the Jacobite rebellion and traced the climactic confrontation at Culloden, which crushed the clan system and all but destroyed the Highlands for a hundred years. We move on from there, as the Scots did, to America. That's because in the 1730s a large number of the Highland Scots had already immigrated and settled along the banks of the Cape Fear River [in present-day North Carolina]. By the late 1740s most of these earlier immigrants were settled and fairly prosperous, and kinship being what it was in the 18th century, you went where you had relatives.

A lot of Scots ended up settling in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. And of course, these people were ideally placed to be in the middle of the American Revolution, and that's where Jamie and Claire are at the moment. At the time of the revolution, one in three colonists came from Scotland and, in fact, there were Scots fighting on both sides with great ferocity.

Was there ever a time when you purposefully wrote something you knew to be historically inaccurate?

Yes—only once that I can think of, and that was in   Outlander [the first book]. I wanted to have a witch trial, but looking into it, I could see that the last witch trial in Scotland took place in 1722. So I was telling my husband that I'd really like a witch trial, but it doesn't fit. He looked at me and said, "You start right off with a book in which you expect people to believe that Stonehenge is a time machine, and you're worried that your witches are 20 years too late?" [Laughs] So I did stretch that point. I figured that possibly this witch trial was an ad hoc affair that didn't make it into the record. That's the only place where I can remember I deliberately moved something that I knew was not quite there.

Claire Randall goes back in time through the standing stones and immediately meets a band of Scottish Highland warriors. What was the clan system like in Scotland?

The clan system was very tribal. It was composed of extensive family units, and as it grew larger, the clans became political entities. And you didn't have to be born to a clan, you could come in and swear allegiance to your clan chief, and you'd become a MacKenzie or a Grant or whatever, and then you'd change your surname. People usually did this as a trade of armed service or farm service in return for food or land.

If the clan chief decided to declare war on someone, you had to bring whatever you owned in the way of a weapon. These tactics worked on a small level, but get in with the British army and you were in trouble.

The level of the clan chieftain was different than the system in England—it wasn't   hereditary. The son of a chief might have the inside track, but the next chieftain was elected by consent of the senior clansmen present. So they sometimes got better leaders than the British did on a hereditary system.

That said, the system was good for the clan, but it wasn't necessarily good for Scotland. The way the clan system evolved was cellular: You had very strong people who couldn't lead more than their own clan without a lot of trouble.

Out of all the Highland clans, why did you choose Clan Fraser for the beloved character Jamie Fraser?

Through the course of my research, Jamie was just called Jamie Blank for a long time. I took Jamie from the name of a "Dr. Who" character who originally caused me to choose Scotland as my setting. I was reading a book for research called the   Prince in the Heather, by Eric Linklater, which described what happened after Culloden. It said that, following the battle, 19 wounded Jacobite officers took refuge in the farmhouse by the side of the field. There they lay for two days with their wounds, unattended in pain. At the end of that time they were taken out and shot, except one man, a Fraser of the Master of Lovet's regiment, who survived the slaughter. And I was thinking that if I expect Jamie to survive Culloden then his last name better be Fraser.

A referendum on Scottish independence is coming up. Do you have thoughts on that because of your connection with your characters?

There's a line of philosophy in the events in my books to the events happening in Scotland now. That said, I'm very careful not to take a public view on it. It's not my country, so its not my business to be telling them what I think.

I have a number of Scottish friends from the   Outlander TV show, all of whom are on the "yes" side. I was talking to them once, and I said, "You know, this is all well and good, democracy, etc., and it's a romantic idea too. But I've read a lot of Scottish history as of late, and you guys have never been able to cooperate about anything for longer than ten years at a stretch. You think you're going to do it now?"

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Read other interesting stories in National Geographic's   Book Talk series.

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The Best New Shows About Time Travel

Engage in a riveting journey as we propel you into the captivating spectrum of compelling series that unfurl through time. Seamless blends of suspense, heart-thumping action, and mesmerizing storytelling characterize our carefully curated catalog of ongoing time-travel shows, promising more than a mere dalliance with the past, present, and future. 

Spanning more than 30 tantalizing shows, our lineup paints a fascinating tapestry of narratives that intrigue and inspire. From adrenaline-amplifying temporal adventures to spine-chilling thriller series that transcend perceived temporal realities, these narratives prod at the seams of the temporal fabric, offering a peek into the labyrinth of time. 

Ensuring comprehensive viewer engagement, our list is dynamically shaped by the collective preferences of an ever-evolving fandom. Check out the reviews, cast your vote using the interactive feature, and ensure your voice is heard in these crowd-sourced rankings. 

Your journey from selection to viewing is set to be a hassle-free adventure. Supporting a multi-streaming setup, each listing in our assortment comes equipped with dedicated service buttons for prominent streaming platforms. Spot these shortcuts for streaming giants like Amazon Prime, Max, Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, and Disney+ conveniently positioned for each series for an easy, immersive viewing escapade. 

Our diverse suite is not merely a compilation of TV shows but is a passion-fueled, expertly curated assembly of storytelling genius. Different genres, directions, and dimensions coalesce under the broad umbrella of time travel, bringing you a rich slice of what imaginative authors and ingenious producers have dared to conceive. Steer clear of temporal paradoxes and let engaging narratives piloted by charismatic characters guide you safely through the river of time. Prepare for an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that defies the arrows of time, prying into the past, future, and everything in between.

Spanning over an incredible six decades, Doctor Who has solidified its legacy as one of the most influential television shows centering around time travel. With a seemingly endless roster of captivating characters, innovative storylines, and complex relationships that transcend time and space, this long-running British series pushes the bounds of conventional storytelling to dazzling new heights. The protagonist's ability to regenerate into different forms throughout the series adds a refreshing dimensionality rarely seen in other shows. Following the various incarnations of the enigmatic Time Lord known as the Doctor, viewers are treated to an array of thrilling adventures through past, present, and future worlds.

Is Doctor Who Worth Your Time?

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Outlander masterfully intertwines elements of historical fiction, romance, and fantasy for a riveting exploration of love across centuries. Based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling novels, the show follows Claire Randall as she unexpectedly journeys from post-World War II Scotland back to 1743—a period fraught with political intrigue and danger. As Claire navigates this unfamiliar landscape while desperately seeking her way back home, she finds herself drawn into a passionate affair with highlander Jamie Fraser that defies not only societal norms but also challenges the very fabric of time itself.

Is Outlander Worth Your Time?

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Marvel enthusiasts can revel in Loki’s compelling foray into time manipulation as the mischievous god—played by Tom Hiddleston—navigates his way through an intricate web of quantum possibilities under duress from the Time Variance Authority (TVA). This gripping expansion of Marvel’s cinematic universe delves into themes such as destiny versus free will and examines how manipulation of timelines can have far-reaching consequences in a multiverse teetering on chaos. Combining action-packed sequences with moments brimming with existential introspection makes Loki essential viewing for fans of both superhero epics and thought-provoking sci-fi dramas.

Is Loki Worth Your Time?

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The Flash showcases themes including alternate realities, time paradoxes, and cosmic consequences through the prism of a classic superhero story. Centered on Barry Allen, a forensic scientist endowed with supernatural speed after a freak accident, the show follows his efforts to protect Central City from malevolent forces while grappling with the repercussions of manipulating timelines. Brimming with well-developed characters, emotional depth, and captivating story arcs that stretch across multiple timelines, The Flash delivers an exhilarating exploration of how even the most well-intentioned acts can have unforeseen consequences.

Is The Flash Worth Your Time?

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Quantum Leap

Quantum Leap remains an iconic entry in time travel television due in part to its innovative premise: Dr. Sam Beckett's consciousness leaping through time within various people's lives in order to correct historical wrongs—often discovering profound personal insights along the way. This 90s cult classic skillfully blends elements of drama, comedy, and science fiction while providing valuable commentary on societal issues still relevant today. Aided by his endearing holographic guide Al Calavicci, Dr. Beckett's heartrending journey back to his present offers poignant reflections on humanity’s capacity for redemption.

Is Quantum Leap Worth Your Time?

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Twinkling Watermelon

A hidden gem in time travel television is Twinkling Watermelon —a fantastical journey into mysticism and interdimensional realms led by a pair of endearing protagonists. This whimsical tale explores deep existential questions as it weaves through parallel existences, challenging viewers' perceptions of reality while maintaining a quirky charm that sets it apart from traditional sci-fi fare. As our heroes navigate both temporal and metaphysical quandaries to unravel the secrets behind their entwined destinies, audiences are enchanted by this unforgettable adventure that pushes the boundaries of storytelling with each unexpected twist.

Is Twinkling Watermelon Worth Your Time?

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The Lazarus Project

The Lazarus Project probes the depths of human morality by presenting its characters with an irresistible opportunity: a chance to rewrite their own personal histories free from pain or regret—a tantalizing premise fraught with unforeseen consequences. As these ordinary people grapple with questions surrounding fate versus free will and assess their true desires when granted absolute power over their destinies, viewers are treated to a thematically rich exploration of humanity’s potential for both greatness and self-destruction.

Is The Lazarus Project Worth Your Time?

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La Brea presents a unique spin on time travel by plunging its diverse cast into an uncharted prehistoric world following a catastrophic sinkhole event in modern-day Los Angeles. Armed with only their wits and survival instincts, these involuntary time travelers must navigate the treacherous landscapes of this primeval realm while grappling with impossible choices that could disrupt the fragile balance of time itself. This ambitious series provides a fresh take on the genre, seamlessly blending action-packed adventure with emotionally resonant human stories.

Is La Brea Worth Your Time?

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Tales from the Loop

Inspired by Simon Stålenhag's hauntingly evocative artwork, Tales from the Loop explores the lives of individuals living in an alternate reality where advanced technology is integrated into daily existence. The show's subtle approach to time manipulation offers viewers a refreshing departure from more overtly fantastical entries in the genre. Featuring a captivating ensemble cast and expertly crafted narratives that delve into themes such as love, loss, and longing across temporal dimensions, this mesmerizing anthology series invites contemplation of life's most profound mysteries.

Is Tales from the Loop Worth Your Time?

The Ministry of Time

Hailing from Spain, The Ministry of Time expertly weaves elements of historical fiction with thrilling adventures through past and future eras as agents work to maintain the integrity of history itself. From ancient Rome to futuristic utopias, each episode immerses viewers in meticulously crafted worlds rich with intrigue and danger—all while maintaining a keen focus on character development that keeps audiences invested in every twist and turn. Blending humor and drama seamlessly, this international gem boasts enthralling storytelling that transcends both language barriers and conventional expectations for television.

Is The Ministry of Time Worth Your Time?

Secrets of Sulphur Springs

Secrets of Sulphur Springs offers a unique perspective on time travel by presenting it through the eyes of teenagers experiencing its miraculous possibilities first-hand as they uncover dark secrets within their small town. Blending elements of mystery, adventure, and heartache, this family-friendly series demonstrates how even seemingly insignificant choices can have far-reaching implications across generations while delivering a poignant message about the power—and potential peril—of friendship when faced with life-altering decisions.

Is Secrets of Sulphur Spr... Worth Your Time?

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The Story of Park's Marriage Contract

The Story of Park's Marriage Contract seamlessly combines elements of time-bending supernatural intrigue with tender romance in this captivating Korean drama. When a mysterious contract sends the main protagonist spiraling back through time, she becomes entwined in an emotional love triangle that forces her to confront the limits of her own heart and the true nature of fate itself. This well-crafted narrative invites viewers to marvel at both fantastical temporal twists and authentic character connections that make for an unforgettable viewing experience.

Is The Story of Park's Ma... Worth Your Time?

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Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. provides an unexpected twist on time-travel tropes by exploring them within an offbeat animation series centered around a megalomaniacal supervillain striving for world domination. As M.O.D.O.K.’s hapless attempts at conquering humanity repeatedly face setbacks—including encounters with alternate versions of himself from different timelines—he ultimately learns valuable lessons about personal growth and self-reflection amidst his twisted quest for power. Striking a perfect balance between irreverent humor and heartfelt character moments, this quirky show appeals not only to fans of superhero tales but anyone seeking a fresh take on familiar themes.

Is M.O.D.O.K. Worth Your Time?

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A Time Called You

A Time Called You delves into the intricacies and implications surrounding second chances as its protagonist unexpectedly finds herself transported 10 years into her past—a pivotal moment that forever altered her life's trajectory. Torn between the desire to rewrite a painful chapter and an innate understanding of the delicate balance governing temporal order, she faces impossible choices that challenge both her own sense of identity and viewers' preconceived notions about the nature of time itself.

Is A Time Called You Worth Your Time?

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Back to 15 draws upon its protagonist’s journey back in time as an opportunity for poignant self-discovery and a reflection on the decisions that shaped her life. Employing clever narrative devices and emotionally charged storytelling, this Brazilian series offers relatable musings on adolescence, love, friendship, and personal growth—all wrapped up within a captivating exploration of time travel's potential consequences.

Is Back to 15 Worth Your Time?

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Time Hustler

Time Hustler flawlessly combines elements of crime drama with thrilling temporal adventures as its protagonists bend the rules of time in pursuit of ill-gotten gains—only to find themselves increasingly entangled in moral ambiguities along the way. As both law enforcement forces and their own consciences close in on them, these enterprising criminals must grapple with the true cost of their actions while navigating an ever-shifting web of temporal possibilities. Intriguing plotlines, compelling character arcs, and high-stakes suspense make Time Hustler essential viewing for fans seeking new twists on familiar themes in television.

Is Time Hustler Worth Your Time?

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As they say in well-written scripts, "You mean... like time travel?" + also a few bizarre stories about real people who have claimed, despite every law of physics, they have traveled through time.

Screen Rant

10 best time travel shows, ranked.

Time travel has been used in television since the medium began, but with all of those choices, some time travel shows stand above the rest.

• Key takeaways:
• Time travel is a versatile plot line that can be used in various genres, from superhero shows like DC's Legends of Tomorrow, to survival dramas like Lost, to romantic series like Outlander.
• Different shows approach time travel in unique ways, such as integrating it with video games in Future Man or exploring familiar time periods in Timeless.
• Time travel shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Star Trek: Next Generation successfully incorporate time travel into their plot lines, keeping it interesting even after multiple seasons.

Time travel is a timeless media trope, and there are so many TV shows that use it successfully. From the superhero genre to more artistic miniseries, every genre has taken a crack at bending time and space for their characters. It's an interesting method to test the will and hearts of characters because, while it's based in humanity, it's nothing viewers have experienced themselves.

Time travel stays a relevant and interesting plot line because of how versatile it is. The time travel could refer to a place that's specifically stuck in one time, like the casino in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. It could also manifest as a superpower for an individual. There are several shows that create organizations around protecting time and have their protagonists interact with them. While several of these formats are used repeatedly, the variety keeps them fresh every time they're reused in new media. It's hard to narrow down so many great shows, but there are standouts in the time travel, science fiction genre.

10 DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022)

DC's Legends of Tomorrow was a part of the iconic era of CW television when the Arrowverse was on every weeknight. This show follows a group of ragtag antiheroes as they travel through time to stop magical villains. This series has the quintessential elements of a time travel show, like weird creatures and the butterfly effect impacting all of their lives, but it is on the cornier side. Given the CW's nature, there's a lot of emphasis on morality and the use of obvious jokes. The show does have some great, unexpected reveals that are engaging. The main character is also part of the LGBTQ+ community, which is nice to see at the forefront of a series.

9 Lost (2004-2010)

It's not an overstatement to say this show changed television when it was on. Lost followed a group of stranded passengers after their plane crashes and they find themselves on a mysterious island. The first two seasons of Lost focused on the struggles of living on the island, and it felt like a survival show, but in season 2, episode 13, "The Long Con", time travel is introduced. It is eventually shown how Lost 's island travels through time and the series changed from there. However, the use of time travel in this show did feel confusing and eventually got convoluted. There's still a lot of debate about what even happened in the series finale of the show. While it was revolutionary, there were still kinks to be worked out.

8 Outlander (2014-Present)

Based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is a hit series on Starz that follows Claire—a 1940s army nurse—who travels through time to 18th-century Scotland. She meets Jamie Fraser, a Scottish soldier, and they fall in love. Their romance is complicated as Claire has a husband in her original time that she thinks she'll never see again. Throughout the seasons, they travel back and forth between Claire's past and present all while trying to raise a family and keep their romance alive. The repetition of time travel is bound to feel tiresome—and a little ridiculous—after 7 seasons and a final one on its way. Outlander 's timeline was not exempt from that.

7 Timeless (2016-2018)

Timeless is a show that follows a group of unexpected allies as they try to stop a man from changing the course of history for his own benefit. The best part of this show is the relationships between the characters. The three leads are a history professor, a scientist, and a soldier respectively, which builds a team with every skill base covered. Another interesting part of this show is that the characters explore familiar time periods. One example is the episode that centered around Marie Curie, which was not only compelling to see play out on TV, but it also gave the characters ample space to nerd out.

6 Future Man (2017-2020)

Josh Hutcherson plays a custodian named Josh Futturman in this time-traveling series. After beating a video game, mysterious and dangerous visitors start appearing from the future to tell Josh that he's the only one who can protect the world from an impending alien attack. The aliens were called to him because his video game was a tactic to recruit only the best soldiers for war. Pairing a video game and time travel isn't used very often, so it did help to make this show even more intriguing. Future Man is hilariously crude and uses bright colors for sets and wardrobe to make this a refreshing addition to the time travel show roster.

5 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020)

While Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't the traditional time travel show, it absolutely counts. Time travel was a theme in the first couple of seasons, but became the sole transport method in the last three seasons. The show didn't start with time travel in its plot line, but it has the perfect platform to make that shift since superhero content leaves little for impossibility. The series adapted well to time travel. It integrated its characters seamlessly into every era they were in with costumes, sets, and individual development. The final season had the team in a different time each episode, which returned the series to its episodic case pattern from season 1.

4 Star Trek: Next Generation (1987-1994)

The Star Trek universe has to be on this list in some way, and Star Trek: Next Generation is the perfect option. This show is set 100 years after the era of Captain Kirk, and it follows a group of new officers through time and space on their adventures. One notable episode is season 5, episode 18, “Cause and Effect”, when the crew is trapped in a loop that teaches them about the dangers of messing with time. Star Trek shows all have the same basic understanding of time travel, but Star Trek: Next Generation manages to keep it interesting, even after so many iterations before it.

3 The Umbrella Academy (2019-Current)

As a show that centers around a group of seven siblings with superpowers, it only makes sense that one of them can travel through time. Number Five, played by Aidan Gallagher, appears at the beginning of season 1 after being missing for several years. He travels through time to his family home, still stuck as a 13-year-old, while his siblings are all now 30-year-olds. At the end of every season, and often throughout seasons as well, time travel is effortlessly worked into the plot. Five carries the weight of the world, and often has to save it using time travel. There are changes to how he uses the skill within The Umbrella Academy 's time travel rules , so it doesn't feel overused.

2 Loki (2021-Current)

Time travel is used all over MCU canon-compliant media, and the hit show Loki is no different. Loki is captured by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) at the end of the alternate timeline from Avengers: Endgame. He spends season 1 traveling through time and space with Mobius, a TVA agent, to stop threats to the Sacred Timeline. Since time travel is so embedded in the idea of this show, it doesn't feel out of place. While it's a serious series with a complicated plot, it also stays loyal to the Marvel style and uses Loki's sardonic humor to balance it. The sets are really successful in establishing different times, and it always feels like being in a different world.

1 Russian Doll (2019-Current)

Russian Doll is a Netflix original series that follows Natasha Lyonne's character, Nadia, as she is stuck in a time loop of her 36th birthday party as she repeatedly dies. This show has pieces from every genre, which keeps it funny, intense, and unpredictable. Russian Doll explains the time travel rules in its universe effortlessly, making it feel natural without being too complicated. This show uses time loops, which are a specific type of time travel that can feel really repetitive, especially when it goes on for an entire season. With all of this, Russian Doll escapes that repetitive and tiresome feeling and keeps the plot moving.

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Need a meaty, complex time travel series start watching outlander, battlestar galactica 's ron moore packed his new show with intrigue and great characters..

Kathryn VanArendonk - Apr 7, 2016 5:05 pm UTC

At first glance, Starz' series Outlander  looks like breezy historical romance. Its protagonist, Claire Beauchamp, stands in a dramatic landscape wearing 18th century clothing, her hair blowing in a Scottish wind. The series’ leading man, Jamie Fraser, sports long curling red hair and a kilt that somehow manages to suggest both pragmatic durability and convenient access.

Those first impressions are not wrong, precisely. Most of Outlander is set in 18th-century Scotland (and France in the upcoming second season). Claire is increasingly interested in taking advantage of Jamie Fraser’s accommodating kilt. But  Outlander isn't just a great, detailed, and persuasive historical romance. It's also the first hit series from Ron Moore since Battlestar Galactica.

Though it may seem like a departure, Moore has woven sci-fi into the fabric of the series, a time travel story whose setting in the 18th century Scottish highlands offers an intriguing alternate history twist. That initial impression of a historical romance is actually just one facet of a series that is, like the Diana Gabaldon series of books it’s based on, a crazy and appealing genre mashup.  Outlander  somehow brings together time travel and alternate history with romance, psychological suspense, and political drama.

Genre mashups

Claire steps through an ancient stone circle in post-World War II Scotland, her native time, and wakes up in 1743, unsure of what's happened or how to get back. The first season gradually develops its criss-crossing timestream mysteries, which get even more intriguing when we learn that Claire is not the only woman to have traveled through time. At the same time, Claire becomes embroiled in Scottish politics, an impenetrable web of conflicting Highlander clan loyalties that bump up against a deep, pervasive suspicion of the English.

The second season, which premieres April 9, will feature even more of this dizzying double-historical perspective. Claire and Jamie begin actively working to change the course of the Jacobite Rising, which nearly wipes out Highlander culture in 1745.

The most useful genre TV yardstick for Outlander isn’t  Pride and Prejudice or The Tudors , or even Moore’s own Battlestar Galactica— it’s Game of Thrones.

• Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) wear nothing but plaid wool in season one of Outlander . Starz Entertainment/Sony Pictures Television
• Black Jack (Tobias Menzies) in the first season of Outlander . Starz Entertainment/Sony Pictures Television
• A scene from Outlander season 2, with Claire and Jamie. Starz Entertainment/Sony Pictures Television
• In Outlander 's second season, Jamie and Claire visit France and try to change history for the Jacobite rebels in the Scottish highlands. Starz Entertainment/Sony Pictures Television

There are no dragons and white walkers in Claire’s 18th century, however. Outlander is committed to a much smaller scale of storytelling, interested primarily in the life and perspective of one woman rather than in a sweeping pseudo-historical fantasy epic. But even for its smaller size and its comparative realism, Outlander is just as brutal as anything that appears on Game of Thrones . Tobias Menzies’ villainous Captain Jack Randall is easily as terrifying and damaged as Joffrey, but he swaps that character’s childish hysteria for a far scarier, controlled adult relentlessness.

Like Game of Thrones, Outlander does not shy away from depictions of violence. But its images of gore and pain are on a different scale than Game of Thrones ’ operatic blood bath. They tend to be intimate and ordinary, less focused on horrific magical plagues than on, say, a single man’s viciously crushed hand. One plot arc toward the end of the first season featured some of the most stomach-churning portrayals of sexual and physical violence I’ve ever seen on television, and the scene is remarkably (horrifyingly) personal.  Game of Thrones'  has so many subplots that audiences often witness violence and quickly move on to another set of characters;  Outlander 's eye is sustained and unflinching.

Where Game of Thrones borrows and copies and adapts historical references to build its many cultures, Outlander dives deep into a few small areas of one brief historical period, making its setting feel real in a tactile, physical, arresting way. Game of Thrones unfurls across dozens of characters, and Outlander spins its many complicated stories around one woman. But much of the fundamental DNA is the same—the magic, the politics, the dangerous and engrossing world.

As Outlander progresses, its time travel elements play a larger and larger role in the series, and Claire’s position in time becomes more complicated and emotionally fraught. But even before some of those stories kick in, Outlander ’s most appealing fantasy premise is Claire’s first jump back 200 years in the past.

Alternate histories and alien worlds

What makes Outlander such a delicious narrative are all the bits in between the dizzying time-hopping trips through stone circles and startling historical twists. Claire walks through 18th-century Scotland with the same alien outlook that we feel when we read a great fantasy series or watch well-drawn dystopian TV series. Her new world is familiar in some ways but also utterly new to her.

The political intrigues of the Scottish Highlanders are opaque—Claire can’t speak Gaelic, and untangling the complicated web of familial relationships and loyalties is endlessly challenging. More disorienting still, Claire quickly realizes that Scottish culture doesn’t even see the physical world the way she does. Ghosts, witches, and fairies are alive and well, if not as an actual physical presence, then certainly in the minds of all of her new acquaintances. A belief in magic is woven through everyday life in 1743 Scotland. Infants who get sick are abandoned because parents believe they've been swapped with changeling babies (a situation that infuriates Claire); bad spirits cause people to grow ill and die; women who have too much power are accused of being witches. And who is Claire, accidental time traveler, to deny that magic is real?

Alternate histories and time travel stories aren't just fun games of “what if?” (What if the Nazis had won? What if I stopped my parents from ever meeting?) At their core, they’re narratives about characters moving through alien worlds, about exploration and disorientation and a vision of human life that is unknown. Some of Outlander ’s best moments are when Claire has to grapple with cultural differences that have nothing to do with fairies and witches, just simple human interactions. Sure, Jamie and his culture are still human, and Claire has the advantage of knowing—at least in theory—what 18th-century life is like. In practice, though, she is just as adrift as Paul among the Fremen or Daenerys among the Dothraki.

Outlander is a very different series than Moore’s Battlestar , and while its closest comparison may be something like Game of Thrones , it is quite distinctly its own, original thing. Part of that originality comes out of its multilayered genre identity. The show weaves fantasy elements, adventure stories, and political maneuvering into its historical romance. It's also a gorgeous viewing experience, full of expansive landscapes and arresting details.

But its most compelling magic comes out of the central fairy-tale-like quartet at the heart of the series—Claire, her Scottish lover Jamie, her husband Frank back in the 20th century, and Frank's villainous 18th century ancestor/doppelganger, Black Jack Randall. They, and especially Claire, are the knot that ties the series together. These characters transform Outlander  from what could be a cliched show into something distinctive and unique. There are not many stories that could pull from so many familiar tropes and yet manage to feel new— Outlander does it.

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80 of the Best Entertaining Time Travel TV Shows You Need To Watch

With romance, adventure, and fun plot twists, these time travel TV shows are sure to entertain.

The time travel trope is quintessentially romantic, with different themes and elements giving it a desperate, romantic air. There is the lone time traveler, bouncing across time in search of lost love. Or a group of travelers unable to return home due to a rift in the space/time continuum. Better yet, the star-crossed lovers fated only to get snatches of time together.  Swoon . There is so much to love about time travel TV shows!

At  The Silver Petticoat Review , we love time travel TV shows so much that we thought a list of binge-worthy shows was necessary.

Depending on your taste in time travel stories, below are 21 binge-worthy dramas, romantic comedies, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy stories (plus 59 bonus recommendations at the end). Not all are traditional versions of the trope, but each one includes an element of time travel.

Get ready! Your watch list is about to become longer!

Note:  Availability for the “Where to Watch” sections are for the US and are subject to change at any time. It was last updated in December 2022.

BINGE-WORTHY TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS (#1-21)

(in no particular order).

#1 Timeless *

Synopsis:  With history threatened by an evil consortium, a historian, soldier, and scientist join forces to travel through time to save history.

Their adventures take them across history, where they cross paths with some famous and lesser-known figures in history. Yet, each time they save history, they risk changing the future.

Where to Watch:  The NBC series is available on Hulu or to buy on Digital and DVD.

* Timeless  is one of my favorite time travel shows! A lovely,  action-adventure romance  with time travel!

#2 Doctor Who

Synopsis:   Doctor Who   follows the trials of an extraterrestrial Time Lord. Known as the Doctor, he/she travels through time to solve problems and battle injustice across the universe.

Using the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space) to travel, the Doctor recruits companions to assist him/her. With various incarnations,  Doctor Who  is a sweeping adventure in space and time.

Note: There are many iterations of  Doctor Who . Any would make our list of time travel series. Pick your favorite! The newer Doctors include Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker. The new Doctor will be Ncuti Gatwa in 2023.

Where to Watch:  You can stream the classic series on Britbox and the 2005 revival on HBO Max. Both series are available to buy digitally and on DVD.

#3 DC’s Legends of Tomorrow   

Synopsis:  Time-traveler Rip Hunter sets out to save the world with the timeline in catastrophic danger. 

Rip brings together an unlikely group of heroes and villains previously seen in  Arrow  and  The Flash.  

These heroes and villains must come together before they can save the planet. But can they put their differences aside before time runs out?

See our  review of  Legends of Tomorrow .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Netflix or buy digitally and on DVD.

#4 12 Monkeys * 

Synopsis:  Cole travels from a post-apocalyptic future to save the world from a lethal plague. He meets Dr. Cassandra Railly, a virologist, who joins him in his crusade.

It’s a race against time, as they trace the epidemic to its source and discover that appearances are deceiving and time itself is an enemy.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu or buy digitally and on DVD.

Related Post  Romantic Moment of the Week: 12 Monkeys: Cassie and Cole  

*Another personal favorite! When it comes to time travel shows,  12 Monkeys  hits all the right notes!

#5 El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Department of Time)

Synopsis:  A secret government agency recruits three people from different eras to protect Spain’s history.

They bounce through time, chasing time-traveling intruders bent on manipulating history for their own purposes.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Pantaya or buy on DVD.

#6 Travelers 

Synopsis:  Several hundred years into the future, the last humans discover a way to send their consciousness back in time. These “travelers” assume the lives of random individuals.

With only their knowledge of history and social media profiles to guide their way, the travelers quickly discover that experience in the 21st Century is as challenging as their mission.

Content Warning:  Rated TV-MA, the show has strong language, violence, and implied nudity.

#7 Scarlet Heart / Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

Synopsis of Scarlet Heart : A near-fatal accident sends Zhang Xiao, a 21st Century woman, back in time to the Qing Dynasty. It is Kangxi Emperor’s reign, and Xiao is now the teenage daughter of a Manchu general.

Known as Ma’ertai Roux, Xiao attempts to return to the future. Navigating new relationships and love, Xiao adjusts to her new life until, one day, it disappears.

Where to Watch:  Stream on  Viki .

Note: There is also a Korean version of  Scarlet Heart  called Scarlet Heart: Ryeo .  Read our review here . It is only available to buy on DVD.

#8 Making History  

Synopsis:  Misunderstood college facilities manager Dan Chambers discovers time travel, using pop culture to become a beloved 18th Century figure. However, Dan fails to realize the impact time travel has on the present.

When Dan causes Paul Revere to delay his famous ride, he alters the events of the American Revolution. Dan then recruits well-liked history professor Chris Parish for help in correcting history.

Where to Watch:  Rent on Amazon Video or buy Digital.

#9 Sleepy Hollow  

Synopsis:  Ichabod Crane comes back to life 250 years in the future, where he must solve a mystery going back to the time of the founding fathers.

However, he is not alone. Due to a blood curse, the headless horseman also returns to the living. The headless horseman begins a slaying spree in present-day Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod realizes that the headless horseman is the first of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Enter Detective Abbie Mills. Familiar with the supernatural, Abbie joins forces with Crane to stop the evil infecting Sleepy Hollow.

Where to Watch:  Stream  Sleepy Hollow  on Hulu, the CW app, CW Seed, and Tubi. You can also buy the series on Digital and DVD.

#10 Torchwood

Synopsis:  Former time agent, Captain Jack Harkness, leads the Torchwood Three to investigate unexplained extraterrestrial events on Earth.

The group, part of a covert agency called the Torchwood Institute, battles supernatural threats outside the protection of the British government and law enforcement.

Where to Watch:  Stream on HBO Max or buy on Digital and DVD.

Content Warning:  The series is TV-MA for strong language in a few episodes. It also includes occasional explicit sensuality, suggestive content, and violence.

#11 Being Erica *

Synopsis:  During therapy, Erica Strange shares her list of regrets with her therapist. In a twist in treatment, Erica goes back in time to those moments with a chance to make different decisions.

Faced with rewriting her past or leaving things as they are, Erica faces each moment with humor and a new appreciation for her choices.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu, Roku, Hoopla, Plex, and Crackle, and buy digitally and on DVD.

*The writing in this show is fantastic!

Content Warning:  Rated TV-14, it is, at times, TV-MA. There is sensual content, as well as nudity and some bad language.

#12 Heroes 

Synopsis:  Around the world, a group of ordinary people is discovering they have superpowers. One man wants their powers for himself.

To protect themselves, they must learn to help each other before he destroys them all.

Where to Watch:  Stream the superhero series on Peacock or buy digitally and on DVD. 

#13 The Librarians * 

Synopsis:  Based on popular TV movies,  The Librarians  are a group of people who protect magical items throughout time.

Consisting of an art historian, a thief, a mathematician, and a warrior, they travel through time to find supernatural objects and bring them under the protection of the Library.

Related:  Read our  romantic moment between Eve and Flynn from  The Librarians .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu, Hoopla, and Amazon’s Freevee. You can also buy it digitally and on DVD.

#14 Early Edition *

Synopsis:  Having lost his job and his marriage, Gary Hobson wakes up one morning to find a cat sitting on a newspaper bearing the next day’s date.

Gary quickly learns that this early edition allows him 24 hours to try and save many people’s lives.

Where to Watch:  All seasons are available for DVD purchase on Amazon Prime.

*This one is an outlier when it comes to time travel TV shows. The only thing that travels in time is the newspaper. Still, it’s Kyle Chandler….. swoon!

#15 Erased 

Synopsis:  Satoru goes back 18 years to prevent the passing of his mother and three classmates.

Where to Watch:  Netflix

#16 Outlander

Synopsis:  British Army Nurse Claire Randall is on her second honeymoon and looking forward to a career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly transported back to 1742, Claire finds her freedom and life are in danger.

RELATED: ‘Midnight at the Pera Palace’ Review: The Time Travel Romance is Irresistibly Good

To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser. An unexpected passionate relationship develops, and Claire becomes caught between two very different men in two very different lives.

See  our review of  Outlander .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Netflix and STARZ or buy on Digital and DVD.

Content Warning:  TV-MA with   explicit sensual content, nudity, assaults, and graphic violence.

#17 The Eternal Love 

Synopsis:  Unhappy with a forced marriage, Qu Tan Er attempts to end her life. She awakens from her failed attempt with the spirit of another woman inside her body. The modern Xiao Tan is Tan Er’s opposite.

Stuck in the past world, she cannot return to the present day. Whenever one of the women lies, the other person takes control. Soon, complications in love arise as the differing women fall in love with two different men.

What will become of the foursome? And will Xiao Tan be able to find her way back to her own time?

Where to Watch:  Viki

#18 Lost in Austen *

Synopsis:  This smart take on Jane Austen’s  Pride and Prejudice  finds modern, working girl Amanda Price trading places with Elizabeth Bennet.

Unable to return to her time, Amanda must try her best to fit in among the Bennets, Bingleys, and Darcys. Yet, her presence in the lives of these beloved characters sets changes to the course of the classic tale.

See our  Lost in Austen review .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Britbox Amazon Channel, Freevee, and Pluto TV, and buy digitally on Amazon or DVD.

#19 Continuum 

Synopsis:  Detective Kiera Cameron, a cop from the year 2077, and a group of dangerous criminals called Liber8 are trapped in present-day Vancouver. Kiera must stop Liber8 before they destroy the corporate world, altering the future as she knows it. She enlists the help of tech genius Alec Sadler to find a way back home.

In the meantime, Kiera takes a job with the Vancouver Police Department. With help from her partner, detective Carlos Fonnegra, they keep tabs on Liber8. Different beliefs and backgrounds lead to suspicion, but slowly, Kiera and Carlos learn to trust each other.

Where to Watch:  Buy digitally from the Microsoft Store or on DVD.

#20 Frequency

Synopsis:  Detective Raimy Sullivan has lived with the pain and resentment of her father’s passing for 20 years. She believes her father, NYPD Officer Frank Sullivan, was corrupt, resulting in his passing. However, everything changes when she hears his voice coming from an old ham radio.

With Raimy’s warning in his ears, Frank survives the attempt on his life. Yet, the change in the past ends in tragedy for the future. Separated by time, connected by an old radio, the two detectives work together to find a way to rewrite the past without losing the ones they love.

Where to Watch:  Stream on the CW app and CW seed.

#21 Seven Days

Synopsis:  CIA Agent Frank Parker receives a special assignment from the NSA. He must travel back in time to prevent current-day catastrophes.

Yet, there is a catch – he must do so within seven days. Using a time machine built from alien technology, Frank races against time in the past to save the future.

Where to Watch:  Buy on DVD.

Whether you are a fan of pure romance or romantic comedies or love the adventure of time travel, there is something for everyone on our list of binge-worthy time travel TV shows. So dip in and travel back in time with some of the most swoon-worthy characters out there.

*Denotes a personal favorite of mine.

EVEN MORE TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS TO WATCH (#22-80)

This section was updated in 2022 by Amber and Autumn (co-owners and editors of  The Silver Petticoat Review ). 

Numerous time travel TV series exist, and you can never have enough to watch! So, we thought adding a lot more to the list would be fun. 

Enjoy! We included a *star next to our personal favorites.

• #22:  356: REPEAT THE YEAR  (2020) – Korean Drama about ten people traveling back in time one year.
• #23: * THE 4400  (2004; 2021) – We recommend the original series over the reboot. Both shows have 4400 people appearing in the present day from different time periods, not having aged a day since they originally disappeared.
• #24: * AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.   (2013) – The later seasons of this fun Marvel series are all about time travel – and they are marvelous! The love story  between Daisy and Daniel Sousa  is perfect.
• #25:  ALCATRAZ  (2012) – Prisoners from Alcatraz disappeared in 1963 – only to reappear in the present day. The short-lived drama lasted only one season.
• #26:  ALICE  (2022) – A new time travel romance TV series on Kocowa and Viki.
• #27:  ALWAYS A WITCH  (2019) – A time-traveling witch in this Colombian series ends up in the present day.
• #28: * CHARMED (1998; 2018) – The original and new series about three sisters (and witches) include time travel episodes. Both shows are entertaining – but the original is superior.
• #29:  THE CROSSING  (2018) – Refugees from the future travel back in time to seek asylum.
• #30:  DARK  (2017) (TV-MA) – The German sci-fi thriller series deals with a time travel conspiracy in this hugely popular Netflix drama.

RELATED: 50 of the Best Romantic Period Drama TV Series of All Time to Watch

• #31:  DIRK GENTLY/DIRK GENTLY’S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY   (2010; 2016) – Time travel is involved in these two versions of the story about a detective investigating supernatural cases.
• #32:  * A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES   (2018) (TV-MA – mild) – A witch and a vampire fall in love while trying to unravel the secrets of witches, vampires, and demons. She can time travel and much of  Season 2  takes place in Elizabethan times.
• #33:  FAITH  (2012) – Lee Min-ho stars in this time travel Korean series.
• #34: * FELICITY  (1998) – The coming-of-age romance drama from J.J. Abrams ends with a time travel twist.
• #35:  FIND ME IN PARIS  (2018) – A children’s show about an Edwardian ballet dancer who transports into the future with a mystical necklace.
• #36:  THE FLASH (AND OTHER ARROWVERSE SHOWS)  (2014)   – The CW superhero show is fun, likable, and regularly has time-travel storylines.
• #37:  FLASHFORWARD  (2009) – Joseph Fiennes stars in this canceled too-soon series about people having visions of their future.
• #38: * FRINGE  (2008) – An FBI agent explores unexplained fringe science with a scientist and his son in this brilliant sci-fi series.
• #39:  JOURNEYMAN  (2007) – Kevin McKidd stars in this show about a time traveler who helps people.
• #40:  KAIROS (2020) – The fantasy thriller K-drama series is available to stream on Viki and Kocowa.

• #41:  LA BREA  (2021) – A sinkhole in Los Angeles sends a group of people to an ancient world. Soon, a family becomes enmeshed in a time-travel conspiracy. It’s super fun (if illogical) and crazy – especially by Season 2.
• #42:  LEGION  (2017) (TV-MA) – Dan Stevens stars in this bizarre Marvel series about a man with abilities. Time travel becomes a significant element in Season 3.
• #43: * LIFE ON MARS/ASHES TO ASHES  (2006; 2008) (TV-MA – mild) – DCI Sam Tyler wakes up in 1973 after being in a car accident. The spinoff series  Ashes to Ashes  is about another Detective who wakes up in 1981.
• #44:  LIVE UP TO YOUR NAME (2017) – It’s a rom-com time travel K-drama series about a Joseon doctor transported into the present day.
• #45: * LOST  (2004) – Survivors of a plane disaster discover they’re stranded on a mysterious island. Time travel plays an essential role in the  brilliant romantic series .
• #46: * LOKI  (2021) – Loki ends up at the Time Variance Authority – agents who stop time variants and monitor the timeline. Loki soon must fight for his survival as he travels through time.
• #47: * MANIFEST (2018) – The mystery genre series begins when a missing airplane reappears five years later – and no one has aged.
• #48:  MY ONLY LOVE SONG (2017) – An actress time travels to the past in a magical van in this historical fantasy romance show.
• #49:  NINE: NINE TIMES TIME TRAVEL  (2013) – A TV anchorman tries to change his past in this romantic K-drama.
• #50:  THE OUTER LIMITS  (1963; 1995) – The sci-fi show includes episodes about time travel.

RELATED: 10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time

• #51: * PRIMEVAL/PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD (2007; 2012) – Primeval and its spinoff (not nearly as good) follow a team of agents and scientists capturing prehistoric creatures traveling to the present day through mysterious anomalies.  Doctor Who  fans should like this one.
• #52:  * QUEEN IN-HYUN’S MAN   (2012) – A scholar travels into the future and connects with an actress in this charming Korean fantasy rom-com.
• #53:  QUANTUM LEAP  (1989; 2022) – A scientist (Scott Bakula) becomes trapped in the past and must leap between bodies and various times. The original show is superior to the new one, but the revival is still entertaining.
• #54:  THE PERIPHERAL  (2022) (TV-MA for violence and profanity) – Chloë Grace Moretz stars in this new science fiction series with an original time travel twist.
• #55:  ROOFTOP PRINCE  (2012) – The popular fantasy rom-com Korean drama follows a Crown Prince from the past transported to the present day.
• #56:  *ROSWELL  (1999) – Two episodes of the iconic paranormal romance series deal with time travel.
• #57:  RUSSIAN DOLL  (2019) (TV-MA for lots of profanity and some explicit content) – A woman from NYC finds herself stuck in a time loop in this Emmy-winning series.
• #58:  *THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES  (2007) – The  Doctor Who  spinoff is a teen series with fantastic writing about the Doctor’s former companion, journalist Sarah Jane Smith, and her adventures with a group of teens.
• #59:  SHINING GIRLS (2022) (TV-MA) – Time travel plays into this mystery/crime drama starring Elisabeth Moss. The ending could have been better, but it’s an intriguing, well-acted series.
• #60:  SIGNAL  (2016) – This is South Korea’s version of  Frequency .

• #61: SISYPHUS: THE MYTH  (2021) – A woman from a war-torn future journeys to the past to change future events.
• #62:  SLIDERS  (1995) – A group of friends travels into parallel worlds.
• #63:  SOMEWHERE BETWEEN  (2017) – A woman relives a week to stop tragic events from happening.
• #64:  *SPLASH SPLASH LOVE (2015) – This adorable rom-com miniseries follows a teenage girl as she travels back in time to the Joseon Era.
• #65:  *STARGATE: SG-1  (1997) – A military team and scientists are part of a secret group that travels to other planets and occasionally different times through Stargates.
• #66:  *STAR TREK TV SHOWS (INCLUDING THE NEW SHOWS, PICARD, AND STAR TREK: DISCOVERY)  (Some series are TV-MA)   – Time travel plays an essential role in the  Star Trek  universe.
• #67:  STEINS;GATE  (2011) – An animated series about time travel.
• #68:  *TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES ( 2008) – This is an underrated romantic sci-fi series starring Lena Headey.
• #69:  TERRA NOVA  (2011) – A family from a dying future is transported to the prehistoric era to a colony of humans trying to survive.
• #70:  THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH  (2020) – A romantic K-drama series about two parallel worlds where time travel plays a part.

RELATED: The Day of the Doctor – An Impossible Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Theory

• #71:  THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE  (2022) (TV-MA) – Steven Moffat’s new (but short-lived) romance series is about a married couple dealing with the problems of time travel.
• #72:  TIME AFTER TIME   (2017) – A short but sweet romantic series about a young H.G. Wells.
• #73:  THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959) – The iconic classic series includes episodes about time travel.
• #74:  TOMORROW, WITH YOU  (2017) – A man can time travel with a subway and tries to avoid his future fate while also falling in love.
• #75:  TUNNEL (2017) – A detective travels 30 years into the future when chasing a suspect through a tunnel.
• #76:  *TRU CALLING  (2003) – A medical grad student develops an ability to relive the previous day and help people. 
• #77:  *THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY  (2019) – The quirky series follows former child heroes as they try to save the world.
• #78:  VOYAGERS!  (1982) – The classic family series follows a young boy and a team of time travelers as they fix history.
• #79:  11.22.63 (TV-MA for violence and profanity)   – James Franco stars in this mystery series based on the novel by Stephen King about a teacher who travels back in time to stop the JFK assassination.
• #80: MR. QUEEN (2020) – A chef is transported to the Joseon Era into the body of a queen in this Korean Comedy series.

What are your favorite time travel TV shows? What do you think is the best time travel show of all time? Drop me a line below!

Featured image credit: Doctor Who (BBC), Continuum (Showcase), 12 Monkeys (NBCUniversal Television Distribution), Torchwood (BBC), and Timeless (Universal Television/Sony Pictures Television/NBC). 

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Catherine is an avid reader and a self-declared professional binge watcher. It's not uncommon to find her re-watching a series or movie for the umpteenth time and still be crying into a box of tissues. When she's not hiding in her closet to read or watch a show or movie, Catherine is a wife, mother, and, in her spare time, a lawyer.

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26 thoughts on “80 of the Best Entertaining Time Travel TV Shows You Need To Watch”

thank you – have beeen looking forever for timetravel— y r we soooo fascinated– et me out of here i do not belon in this time — beeen this wy sincei ws 9 and read a book of a little boy being sent to mars after climbing a tree—- love fairies also — ok i am an old fashioned girl they used to call my pollyanna – then i became an out law—- my son in law does not beleive in annnnnythin but $$$$ and power– borrrrrring give me a gooood romance to live in.. oxoxoxoxoxoxox

This is a great list! I love the Korean drama Time Travel series. My favorites are Faith, Rooftop Prince, I love Lee Tae Ri, Signal and Tunnel.

Have you ever seen “Voyagers!”? It was like a predecessor to Quantum Leap and lasted 1 season on NBC. It stared one of the most beautiful men to ever grace television, the late Jon-Erik Hexum. He’s a roguish time-traveling pirate, Phineas Bogg, a Voyager that travels throughout time with a smart young boy and they have to fix moments where history’s gone wrong. It was a fun show. It’s definitely binge-worthy and Hexum was such a charming young actor. Although it was made with kids and education in mind, (Co-Produced by Scholastic) there’s plenty of romantic moments for Bogg!

He and Meeno Peluce (the boy, Jeffrey Jones) made a great team. I run a fansite and FB page for the series. You can watch it on Amazon Prime, and it’s currently free on NBC.com.

I own the series and I was heartbroken when Jon died. I recently bought the 30 episode tv show from the 60’s The Time Tunnel…. Now this was where most time travel shows spawned from. Especially Quantum Leap.

Nice list! Back to the Future made me a sucker for time travel plots. So would the cartoon count as one?

How can Outlander be #16?

You NEED TO READ – It clearly states that the shows are in No Particular Order!

You forgot ‘The Time tunnel’ – The first American time travel show

Goodnight Sweetheart is THE ultimate time travel show!

Maybe you guys can help me….. I’m looking for a series perhaps a movie….. not sure. only saw a piece of it and have been searching ever since. I even looked trough all the male actors to cross reference, nothing. It seem to involve time travel an attempt to shift history. Almost achieve the goal by manipulating the son of the leader – I know its horribly vague…. but he ends up speaking to his son. He explains the situation from a watchmakers point of view- His hobby is watchmaking….the comparison he draws between ‘leading’ or directing humans where they need to be is similar to the watchmaker making a clock. its been almost two years…. but so far no luck finding this series. Help 🙂

think you may be thinking of inception (link removed)

How could you not have Netflix’s Dark on this list?

I agree. Dark is a pretty good series (3 seasons on Netflix). It’s a German show so you have to up with English lip syncing, but once you get used to it, it’s a good show.

Absolutely the best time travel show ever made imo

It is on the list (#30).

12 Monkeys needs to be #1 … Pretty sure it’s the only show that properly does time travel and causality! Love it

Continuum seems to be right on the money as we see a few corporations [e.g., Amazon] displacing small business, and taking over government. Science Fiction frequently becomes Science.

Looks like Continuum is no longer on Amazon Prime (unless you want to buy it. Is it anywhere else?

It looks like it’s only available to buy on Digital and DVD/Blu-ray now.

Netflix’s DARK is the best Time Travel show ever made. Never believe anything else!

Timeslip UK kids show from 60`s predates all these and deals with past , future, global cooling(remember that) and cloning.

I’ve never heard of it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

It’s a indian movie named Time

Brødrene Dal og Spektralsteinene and Brødrene Dal og Mysteriet om Karl XIIs Gamasjer both have time travel as a key element. I prefer the former but both are pretty well planned out, although only the latter seems to remember concequences.

Thanks for the recommendations! 🙂

I like some others am trying to find a “Time Travel” movie that’s kind of like “If Only” Where a mans’ wife (Possibly Girlfriend) is killed in an auto accident an he keeps traveling back to that time to make her avoid it. He finds every time that it is avoided she is killed in another way. After so many attempts he goes back and gets in the car with her and they both die. So sort of like “If Only “ and sort of like the first part of “The Time Machine”(2002). I think the movie time-line was between 1970 and 2000 only guessing. I didn’t see the start of the movie. Always wanted to see it but the same accident happens or is averted only to have a new death.

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20 Best Time-Travel Shows Ranked

If you could travel back and forth through time, where would you go? What would you do? Who would you talk to? Even better, if you were writing a book, making a movie, or working on a television show about time travel, what would you include? The best TV shows about time travel all feature characters who visit other eras for various compelling (or even life-threatening) reasons. Maybe it's to prevent a coming apocalypse, maybe it's just to save one person's life — but as many of these shows teach, small changes can have big effects, and many of these characters learn that their time-traveling can change the world.  

Now, there are some great time travel-adjacent shows that don't quite fit this list. A fun romp like "Early Edition," for example, utilizes a time-traveling newspaper and potentially a time-traveling cat, but doesn't in and of itself feature a lot of time travel. Likewise, something like "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is rooted in a time travel premise, but stays mostly in one time. With all that said, here's a look at our choices for the 20 best time travel shows on TV.

Save the cheerleader, save the world. That's what future Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka) tells present-day Hiro when he appears to him from the future, and that's what establishes "Heroes" as way more than just a superhero show.

The NBC series follows a group of regular people who develop special powers, not unlike mutants in the "X-Men" series, after a mysterious worldwide eclipse. Each character gains their own individual abilities. Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere) develops the ability to heal from any injury. Senator Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar) gains the ability to fly, while his brother Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) can temporarily absorb others' powers. Still, few of these characters have cooler abilities than Hiro, who can influence the space-time continuum. This means he can teleport, slow down time — and, of course, time travel.   

Understandably, Hiro's power set becomes a serious asset throughout the series, and his path to perfect his abilities is one of "Heroes'" strongest story arcs. The first few times he travels through time don't go as planned, and throughout the series, things can get in the way of him ending up where he wants to go or when he wants to be. While Hiro's time-traveling is just one part of the larger story, it's definitely one of the show's highlights – especially since Oka is so darn charming as the character.

19. 11.22.63

One of the best Stephen King TV series out there, the eight-episode "11.22.63" follows a man named Jake Epping (James Franco). He's a relatively normal guy who receives a chance to change history when his friend Al (Chris Cooper) tells him he's found a way to travel back in time. Al tells Jake that the portal he's discovered goes back to the year 1960 and that he's been working on a plan to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Al's age and advancing cancer diagnosis prevent him from following through on the plan, however, and he asks Jake to take over for him. Jake agrees, but soon his quest is met with pushback from a mysterious source. As it turns out, the past doesn't want to be changed, and every step Jake takes toward preventing JFK's assassination leads to more cracks in the timeline. 

A charming and exciting time travel drama, "11.22.63" is a well-executed, twisty tale that only ranks so low on this list because it's in such great company. If you're looking for a quick, self-contained time travel miniseries that revolves around one of modern America's most notable events, this show is well worth a watch. 

When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crash lands on a deserted island, wacky and scary things start happening to the survivors. ABC's "Lost" deals with flashbacks, flash-forwards, mysterious groups that already have a presence on the island, a black smoke monster — and, as it turns out, an ancient battle between good and evil. One of the great appointment television shows before streaming broke through, "Lost" had fans talking about it and theorizing about its mysteries on a weekly basis.

The sci-fi drama captivated viewers for six seasons, and though time travel is referenced throughout the entire series run, it plays the biggest role in Season 4. As the island itself leaps from place to place and from time to time, the main group of characters jumps with it, encountering previous versions of themselves and island events that occurred in the past, and suffering from the effects of temporal displacement. The most beloved episode dealing with time travel is undoubtedly "The Constant," in which fan-favorite Desmond Hume (Henry Ian Cusick) figures out a way to stop his consciousness from jumping through time by finding his constant — his true love, Penny (Sonya Walger).

Of course, "Lost" is not just a time travel show, and famously covers such a wide variety of mysteries and sci-fi concepts that viewers might find it hard to keep up. As such, it ends up with this relatively low ranking. 

Like "Lost", "Fringe" is considered one of the most binge-worthy sci-fi shows of all time  but the fact that it isn't exclusively about time travel means it lands near the tail end of this particular list. The ABC show revolves around a science-fiction conglomerate that dabbles with interdimensional travel, wormholes, and alternate realities. Anna Torv stars as FBI Agent Olivia Dunham, who heads up the bureau's Fringe Division. With the help of "mad scientist" Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble), his estranged son Peter (Joshua Jackson), and their lab assistant Astrid Farnsworth (Jakisa Nicole), Dunham explores cases involving fringe science — be they about time travel, mind control, experiments gone wrong or any other strange and obscure criminal activity.

Time travel is more of a looming presence early in "Fringe," particularly present in the character of the Observer (Michael Cerveris), a bald, pale, genetically advanced human from the future. While Season 1 and Season 2 deal with the battle between two dimensions and realities, time travel really becomes an element in Season 3. Seasons 4 and 5 then deal with alternate timelines and the Observers that infiltrate the world from the future, intent on wiping out humanity. As you might expect, things can get a bit confusing, but the show sure is fun.

16. The Umbrella Academy

You have to respect a show that's so high-concept that time travel doesn't even get top billing. "The Umbrella Academy" boasts mysterious events, family drama, dance numbers, a talking chimpanzee, some of the cleverest superpowers in superhero shows, and a robot mom — and that's just scratching the surface. Based on "The Umbrella Academy" comics created by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame, the Netflix show is a saga that exploits everything from the butterfly effect to the grandfather paradox for emotional and comedic impact.

The central Hargreeves family consists of a group of kids all born on the same day, adopted by the same eccentric billionaire (Colm Feore). He has trained them to protect the world with their various superpowers, but they aren't particularly great at it, and their strict upbringing has left them with a wide array of issues and deep rifts between them. The dysfunctional bunch starts out fairly estranged, but slowly bonds to save humanity from an apocalyptic event ... only to cause another potential apocalyptic event by sprinkling themselves across time.

In between the tears in the space-time continuum, "The Umbrella Academy" is ultimately an ensemble story about found (and re-found) family, as well as a truly unique superhero show where personal failure and the side-effects of costumed crimefighter life play a huge role. However, since Season 1 largely approaches time travel through Number Five (Aidan Gallagher) and the Temps Aeternalis agency, and much of Season 3 focuses on a present-day alternate reality, only the 1960s-themed Season 2 goes truly all in on the concept of sending all main characters to a different era. 

15. Sliders

"Sliders" is a 1990s sci-fi adventure series that features Jerry O'Connell and friends getting lost across the multiverse. O'Connell ("Stand By Me") plays boy genius Quinn Mallory, inventor of the Timer — a device that lets him and his friends "slide" through a wormhole vortex into different versions of Earth. The thing about wormhole vortexes, though, is that they like to misbehave, meaning Quinn and his buds never know where they're headed next on their adventures. This makes their quest to get back home to their own Earth a tricky one.

"Sliders" starts off fun and strong, and is at its best when having bonkers fun — like when Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) discovers a world where he could have been Elvis-level famous — and when it's exploring real-world issues in a high-concept dimension, like when the crew visits an Earth that treats men worse than women. Even if you've seen it before, it's definitely worth a re-watch, because "Sliders" is one  TV show that's better than you remember.

14. Continuum

On "Continuum," Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) is a Protector – think futuristic government agent from even more futuristic equipment — from the year 2077. She gets transported to the year 2012 along with a group of murderous terrorists, forcing Kiera to remain in the past as she chases them down. Fortunately, her gadgets and knowledge of the past soon come in handy and she finds loyal allies. Unfortunately, her enemies also know their history and plan on altering it for their own gain. 

"Continuum" milks the premise for all it's worth, while avoiding the pitfall of becoming a run-in-the-mill procedural with an unchanging status quo. While Kiera does handle her share of case-of-the-week story arcs, they're often connected to the group she pursues, and she never lets go of her primary target of stopping the terrorists. In order to avoid disrupting the timeline, she also has to go to great lengths to avoid revealing that either she or her targets are time travelers — and when their actions inevitably end up changing the future, she has to deal with the consequences. 

13. Timeless

If ever there was a time travel show that was canceled too soon, it's Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan's "Timeless." The NBC sci-fi series stars Abigail Spencer as the historian Lucy, Matt Lanter as the soldier Wyatt, and Malcolm Barrett as Rufus, a scientist who makes up a team trying to prevent a mysterious organization from altering the courses of history through time travel. They're up againsts Garcia Flynn (Goran Višnjić), who travels throughout history intending to influence major events like the Hindenburg disaster. However, the team soon realizes that the villain they thought they were fighting is much larger and infiltrates the historical timeline in ways they never imagined. 

Instead of focusing on the usual historical suspects, "Timeless" often highlights forgotten people of color, women, and lesser-known historical figures, giving them their due and celebrating their contributions to society. This element of the show can be seen in the way Rufus, for instance, is reluctant to join the team because he knows how Black people are treated in the eras they visit. 

Despite its intriguing concept, the show was canceled after Season 1, but fans caused such an uproar that NBC reversed the decision of canceling "Timeless"  and renewed it for another season. After Season 2, NBC pulled the plug once more, and again, the fans cried foul. In a kind of compromise, NBC greenlit a special two-hour series finale that ties up loose ends and gives much-needed closure to the story. 

12. 12 Monkeys

The "12 Monkeys" SyFy series is based on the 1995 film of the same name that stars Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt — though the series makes a fair few changes to stretch the plot into a four-season sci-fi drama. The series stars Aaron Sanford as James Cole, a scavenger from the year 2024 who's tasked with traveling to 2015 in order to stop the release of a biological weapon. In the movie, James is helped by a psychologist named Kathryn Railly played by Madeleine Stowe, but here, he befriends a virologist named Dr. Cassandra "Cassie" Railly (Amanda Schull). Pitt's character, Jeffrey Goines, is also gender-swapped here, with Emily Hampshire playing Jennifer Goines.

Like the movie, the series deals with the Cassandra Complex, the idea that we have a hard time believing concerns about the future, no matter how likely and provable they are. It also deals with circular time and the idea that past events can be affected by future ones. If those aspects of the film lift your time travel antennae, the four-season show dives even deeper.

11. Paper Girls

"Paper Girls" is a brilliant time travel show that was canceled way ahead of its time. Based on the comics by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, this Amazon series tells the story of a group of 1990s tween girls who get attacked by futuristic invaders. They manage to escape into the future, where one of the girls, Erin (Riley Lai Nelet ), meets her adult self (Ali Wong).

The show dispenses with grandfather paradox hand-wringing and instead uses the concept of the girls confronting their past and future selves, to brutally honest and hilarious effect. Young Erin is horrified to find out how much of herself she's abandoned by the time she turns into Old Erin, and refuses to let life work out that way. It motivates Erin to want to return to her home time even more — this kid has a clock to beat. However, there are two sides to the coin, and Old Erin is also able to care for her young self in ways she never felt able to when she was younger. It's a beautiful and potent visual metaphor that other characters also make good on. 

All in all, "Paper Girls" is a feast for the eyes as much as its ensemble cast is a feast for the soul. Plus, Jason Mantzoukas playfully chewing scenery as the ominous Grand Father? This show could have lasted until the end of time — or at least until Season 2.

10. Timewasters

"Timewasters" is a time travel comedy about a Black British jazz band that accidentally time-slips back to 1920s London, among other timelines. The quartet stumbles into an earlier time perod via a disgusting elevator that, yes, doubles as a time machine. Once the crew shows up in the past, they're treated like freaks, but they gain some measure of success as musicians. While the crew eventually tries to return to the present, they also have a "Back to the Future" moment when they seemingly get stuck in the 1950s.

"Timewasters" is full of funny jokes and great music, and it's a groundbreaking show in a number of ways. "People like us never get to time travel — it's what white people do, like skiing or brunch," creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor told the Royal Television Society . "For me, race is so important." Taylor also stars in "Timewasters," along with Kadiff Kirwan ("Slow Horses"), Adelayo Adedayo ("Some Girls"), and Samson Kayo ("Our Flag Means Death"). The show is also an excellent destination if you're into spotting a variety of British actors and comedians ... including Joseph Quinn, who went on to rise to fame as Eddie Munson on "Stranger Things."

9. Outlander

Based on the series of novels by Diana Gabaldon, Starz's "Outlander" follows the story of a World War II nurse named Claire (Caitriona Balfe) who finds herself thrown back in time after visiting a circle of mysterious Druid stones. She arrives in 18th Century Scotland and, after being taken in by a band of gruff Scots, she marries the dashing young Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) in order to avoid being taken prisoner by her real husband's (Tobias Menzies) apparent evil ancestor, Black Jack Randall (Menzies). Claire lives through a time of great upheaval in Scotland when tensions with British control are rising and history-making battles loom in the near future. Despite being initially reluctant to stay, she and Jamie fall deeply in love, and their romance remains the backbone of the series.

The entire "Outlander" timeline  takes some time to explain, what with several 20th-century characters taking the trip to the 18th century and the show covering versions of notable real-world historical events. Without further spoilers, all there is to say is that if you enjoy time travel shows that lean heavily toward historical drama, "Outlander" is where it's at. Also, if you view Tobias Menzies as an incorrigible dweeb due to his performance as Edmure Tully on "Game of Thrones," his monstrous "Outlander" villain is guaranteed to erase that image.

8. Quantum Leap

"Quantum Leap" stars Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who invents a way to travel through time. When the corporation funding his project threatens to shut it down, Sam uses himself as a guinea pig to test out the method. He finds himself thrown back in time, but in another person's body. The only other entity aware of his 'leap" is a hologram of his colleague and best friend, Admiral Al Calavicci (Dean Stockwell). Al tells Sam that he must correct things that went wrong in the past before being allowed to leap back to his own time and body, and can only use the resources of the project's supercomputer, Ziggy.

With Sam leaping back and forth into different bodies at different times, the show uses a variant of the traditional procedural set up. New characters turn up to guest star and Sam gets to save the day, have a fling, and learn something new before leaping to the next destination, which just might be home one of these days.  

The series ran on NBC from 1989 to 1993, but its combination of time travel and case-of-the-week antics has proved enduring enough that "Quantum Leap" even gets a shout-out in "Avengers: Endgame." Despite being over three decades old, it remains a cool time travel series worth checking out.

7. The 4400

In the opening scenes of "The 4400," an enormous ball of light drops 4,400 people at the foot of Mount Rainier in Washington. They soon realize that they were all taken from some other point in time and deposited into the year 2004, unaged and without any memories of where they'd been. At first, everyone assumes that these people have been abducted by aliens. However, it soon turns out that the truth is far more time travel-related.

The returned people soon start developing "Heroes"-style powers that range from telekinesis to telepathy and super-strength, which people from the future have entrusted with to prevent various catastrophic events that they want to avoid in their timeline. Unfortunately, the 2004 government considers the powered folks a threat, and inhibits their powers with a neurological drug. 

The stories that unfold from this setup are exactly as complex and entertaining as you'd imagine, with various members of the titular group treating their powers in different ways and society having a hard time dealing with them. Unfortunately, "The 4400" ended abruptly after four seasons on a somewhat ambiguous note, but even so, it's a fun show to revisit.

6. Travelers

In Netflix's "Travelers," time-traveling operatives from a post-apocalyptic future are tasked with preventing certain events that have led to the downfall of society in their own present day of 2018. The travelers' consciousness takes over a person in the desired time who's just about to die, and the operative then lives out the rest of that person's days though with the mission in mind ... and a strict set of rules they must follow. Apart from a list of ways they're not allowed to interact with the past, they're also strictly forbidden from communicating with other known travelers outside their team, save for special circumstances dictated by the Director, who communicates by temporarily taking over children. 

It's a unique and complex premise, and the way the travelers scope out potential targets for takeover and learn to live as them is as timely as it comes — they use social media, GPS locations, and other readily available online information for their time-travel tricks. This adds a layer of present-day dread to the show's fascinating take on time travel. 

Loki Laufeyson (Tom Hiddleston) meets his match when he comes up against the Time Variance Authority in one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most ambitious Disney+ shows, "Loki." The TVA is so dedicated to maintaining a particular sacred timeline that they purge all alternate realities where someone made a choice they deem wrong, which might not always make sense, but precision isn't the point here. It's the idea of playfulness versus control. 

The Loki we see here is an alternate-timeline variant of the one the audiences are familiar with, and thus starts the show in full "The Avengers" villain mode before life — and time — starts grinding him down. Working with TVA agent Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson), he starts redeeming himself by tracking down an apparently evil version of himself, Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) ... and ultimately tackling the biggest challenges time can offer.  

The God of Mischief's surprisingly human path of reckoning is the heart of a show that's deliciously stylish, silly, and sometimes scary. "Loki" takes a cops-and-robbers crime caper into time travel territory and explores hefty themes with a light touch, from mindless compliance to self-serving overseers to criminalizing anyone deemed different. "Loki" isn't just a time travel show — it's a show about everything time can offer and more, with characters dancing between eras as you might step from room to room. Also, it has Alligator Loki, who's objectively the best Loki of all. 

If "Loki" is too light-hearted for you, Netflix's "Dark" might be your jam ... provided you can make sense of its incredibly convoluted time travel storyline. Four families weave a tangled web of time travel in this German-language psychological thriller about missing kids, a rotten town, and how almost all of our secrets come out in time. In other words, it's a good time travel show, but it's definitely not a feel-good time travel show. 

"Dark" follows its many characters over the course of their lifetimes and, at one point, has three timelines going at once. Part of the intrigue and challenge of watching the show is trying to understand how (and when) each timeline threads into the other. If you decide to watch it, it's best to have an evidence board and plenty of red yarn ready to chart the relationships and betrayals the town of Winden sees over the years.

While "Dark" is as much a show about human connection and how frayed it can become as it is about time travel, it's also the MVP of using as many time travel paradoxes as possible during its three-season run. "Dark" is also an innovator in the field of wormhole placement. Wormholes are already not to be trusted, but a wormhole underneath a nuclear power plant? No, thank you.

3. Beforeigners

What happens when a bunch of Viking-era warriors, 19th-century figures, and Stone Age people pop up in modern-day Oslo? "Beforeigners" attempts to answer that question while navigating twisty murder mysteries with such efficiency that the Norwegian series may be best described as "crime travel." Adding to the intrigue is the way it focuses more on the present-day relationship between the time refugees and their modern counterparts than on how they showed up in the first place.

"Beforeigners" centers around the odd-couple partnership between hardened police detective Lars Haaland (Nicolai Cleve Broch) and eager new Viking police recruit Alfhildr Enginnsdóttir (Krista Kosonen), who investigate things like the murder of a Stone Age victim and even look into crimes with possible ties to Jack the Ripper.

The metaphor of time migration is an apt one for immigration, and this sci-fi show explores tricky real-life issues with plenty of scope. Creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin got their start in comedy writing, and their commitment to the bit is evident in the show, including the language used. "Early on, I contacted researchers, professors who helped us. We also constructed the language that Stone Age people spoke, and even with the language from the 19th century: We worked on it to make it sound right," Bjørnstad told Variety . "Why not invest in language, which is such a big part of a person's identity?"

2. Russian Doll

"Russian Doll" could be pitched as "Natasha Lyonne's 'Groundhog Day,'" but that still wouldn't hint at half of the show's charm and emotion. This Netflix offering is a mind-bending time loop dramedy that's a stylish and surreal exploration of life, death, and all the trauma in between. Season 1 of "Russian Doll" features Nadia (Lyonne) stuck reliving her 36th birthday until she inevitably dies and resets back to her friend's bathroom. Later in the season, she discovers a fellow time traveler (Charlie Barnett). They quickly realize that the way out of their dead ends and into a new life is through helping each other.

Season 2 takes some departures from the recursive reality set up in the first season, bending viewers' minds even more thoroughly. "Russian Doll" goes deep, but keeps a sense of humor even as it twists the knife in its characters' hearts — and their timelines. The show keeps audiences just oriented enough by linking its time loops to recognizable spaces and sound cues. You will never look at the subway the same way again, and you will probably never get Harry Nilsson's "Gotta Get Up" out of your head.

1. Doctor Who

Really, could any other show top a list like this?  The untold history of "Doctor Who"  goes all the way back to 1963, when the show premiered on the BBC. The series follows the adventures of a Time Lord who calls themselves the Doctor — an alien being from the planet Gallifrey who travels through space and time on a craft called the TARDIS, which is charmingly disguised as an old-fashioned British police call box and is famously bigger on the inside.  Every Doctor has their own companions  – humans who follow the Doctor throughout space and time, helping people, battling new and recurring villains, and dealing with the assorted wibbly-wobbly stuff on the Doctor's timeline .

The original series ran from 1963 through 1989 and established the neat trick of recasting the Doctor every few years or so, thanks to the premise that the character has multiple lives and can reincarnate himself into different physical bodies. The modern series was revived in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, and talented actors like David Tennant (twice), Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whitaker, and Ncuti Gatwa have followed in his footsteps. Even without the fact that no other show has time travel quite as integrated into its very premise as "Doctor Who," the show's sheer longevity and cultural impact are more than enough to make it the king of the time travel hill. 

Outlander And 11 Other Great Shows To Stream On Starz

If you are a fan of Outlander , the Emmy-nominated drama that fuses history with fantasy, you are more than likely a subscriber to Starz. I am not necessarily talking about the cable channel itself, but its digital streaming platform which includes plenty more wonderful television series available now for you to check out.

One aspect of the series lineup at Starz is the variety. Meaning, if there comes a day you are not in the mood for anymore Scottish combat and sweeping romance , you could travel forward in time to have a laugh with the cast of Party Down or turn the clock back again, but for the same purpose, with a classic episode or two of The Jeffersons .

The eclectic selection is enough to keep you binging until you really do begin to see stars. To help preserve your sanity and narrow down your search, these are our picks for the 12 best shows you can stream now on Starz , starting with one of its most popular and acclaimed hits.

It is a curious how, as time further progresses, historical fiction has become more and more popular , especially with a twist that brings it into the realm of fantasy. One of the more potent examples is this acclaimed Starz original starring Golden Globe nominee Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, a married English World War II-era combat medic inexplicably living a second life in 18th-century Scotland, where she falls in love with the chivalrous Jamie Fraser ( Sam Heughan ). 

Developed by Ronald Moore, the Emmy winner behind the modern reinvention of Battlestar Galactica , and based on the novel by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is a thrilling, romantic, and ever-so mysterious drama of unique creation that has captured audiences hearts for five seasons thus far.

Stream Outlander on Starz here .

For decades, the prime retelling of a gladiator's resistance of the Roman Empire was Stanley Kubrick 's 1960 epic Spartacus starring the late Kirk Douglas . That was until 2010, when Steven DeKnight introduced the bloodiest version of that legend to be brought to the screen yet. Despite lasting only three seasons, and suffering the loss of star Andy Whitfield to cancer after just one season in the title role, Spartacus would soon inspire a prequel spin-off and has since been remembered as one of the most exciting period dramas on Starz, or anywhere else for that matter.

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Stream Spartacus on Starz here .

Black Sails

In keeping up with the current running theme of historical legend, this Starz original series serves as both a dramatized account of the days when piracy was in its prime and a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel Treasure Island . So, in other words, Black Sails , from co-creators Robert Levin and Jonathan E. Steinberg and producer Michael Bay , is not particularly a show made to appeal to history buffs, especially those who hold accuracy dear. However, even they should be easily swept up in three seasons of Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), a young John Silver (Luke Arnold), and other swashbucklers boldly taking on the high seas (and each other) in search of riches worthy of the gods.

Stream Black Sails on Starz here .

American Gods

Speaking of gods, that is a literally authentic description of the central characters in this Emmy-nominated series inspired by Neil Gaiman 's novel that puts a modern day spin on ancient mythology legend. The story is centered around Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle), an ex-convict who, soon after he is released from prison, is hired as a bodyguard for a strange wealthy socialite who calls himself Mr. Wednesday ( the always dazzling Golden Globe winner Ian McShane ), whose true identity is more marvelous than he initially lets on. With two seasons (and counting) under its belt , Starz's own American Gods is a visually unique and narratively engaging spectacle worth putting your faith into.

Stream American Gods on Starz here .

Someone with a bit of a god complex himself is Tom Kane, portrayed in a Golden Globe-winning performance by Kelsey Grammer that is a long stretch from his days in the title role of Frasier , for which he also won two Globes. Boss follows Kane's struggle to not lose control as mayor of Chicago as he begins to lose control of his own mind amid his diagnosis of early onset dementia. Despite lasting only two seasons , this political epic in the vein of House of Cards is one of the most acclaimed dramas to air on Starz in the past decade for how it puts into question the extent of one's ambition for power against even the most dire consequences.

Stream Boss on Starz here .

Speaking of power, James "Ghost" St. Patrick ( Sorry to Bother You star Omari Hardwick) has plenty of it as an international drug kingpin. However, this aptly titled Starz original actually chronicles Ghost's aspirations to leave that life behind in favor of focusing purely on his Manhattan night club, which is something he learns is much easier said than done. Rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson serves as executive producer and has a recurring role on Power , an intense, award-winning redemption tale that came to a close after six seasons in early 2020, but its legacy still continues in spin-offs.

Stream Power on Starz here .

The title character of this British import is not one to be phased by consequence , particularly that of his deeply alienating personality. In fact, if London detective John Luther was not so good at his job, his colleagues would have no issue throwing him to the dogs and the same can be said for those in life while off duty. Plus, if it were not for Idris Elba's Golden Globe-winning performance in the title role, Luther may not have had the fans it acquired during its five-season, nine-year run that offers an engaging take complexities of a complicated, Sherlock Holmes-esque character.

Stream Luther on Starz here .

John Luther is not the only crimefighter on the Starz app with demons of their own, only National Marine Fisheries Service agent Jackie Quiñones ( Chicago Fire vet Monica Raymud ) is making an active attempt to fight them off. The battle begins when she discovers a murdered opioid user on the shores of Cape Cod, inspiring her to finally get sober as she falls prey to a new addiction of solving the case. Created by Gotham writer Rebecca Perry Cutter, Hightown , which premiered in May 2020, is an intense, high-stakes thriller that expands the drama beyond the scene of the crime and into the personal struggles of its flawed protagonist.

Stream Hightown on Starz here .

Knight Rider

The law-seeking protagonist of this cult mid-1980s thriller does not have many recognizable flaws, but the show itself, from original Battlestar Galactica creator Glen A. Larson, admittedly does. However, you could argue that the inherent cheesiness of Knight Rider , starring David Hasselhoff as a government agent by an artificial intelligence on wheels voiced by Boy Meets World 's William Daniels , is key to its charm and why it lasted four seasons and inspired a soft reboot in 2008. However, in my. humble opinion, you can skip that crap and stick with the original fun, wholesome, sci-fi twist on the buddy cop genre which may be the ultimate highlight of The Hoff's career.

Stream Knight Rider on Starz here .

The Jeffersons

One classic of yesteryear that actually did inspire a successful reimagining recently , with Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington in the title roles paying tribute to co-creator Norman Lear, is The Jeffersons . Initially a spin-off of the groundbreaking All in the Family , this sitcom, following a black, middle-aged married couple's ( Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford) lives in an upper class Manhattan apartment building, acquired an equal level of acclaim and importance over its 11-season run in the 1970s and 80s. If not just for a laugh, rewatching all 253 episodes on Starz is worth especially worth it to see how George Jefferson's worldview compares to the current social climate.

Stream The Jeffersons on Starz here .

This Starz original does not have the luxury to say it lasted 11 seasons (wrapping up after only two in 2010). However, Party Down , featuring notable talents such as Parks and Recreation 's Adam Scott , Castle Rock 's Lizzy Caplan, and Silicon Valley 's Martin Starr to name a few, is still one of the most celebrated, yet often overlooked, comedies of its time. Its brutally authentic depiction of a group of aspiring actors who resort to working in the catering industry while looking for work puts it on par with Ricky Gervais' original British iteration of The Office in terms of classic cringe humor.

Stream Party Down on Starz here .

Ash Vs. Evil Dead

With the latter entries of his Evil Dead trilogy, director Sam Raimi introduced his own sensational brand of comedy mixed with horror. That splatterific marriage evolved into its most perfect execution with this series that pairs Bruce Campbell's chainsaw-handed "Deadite" hunter with S-Mart colleagues Pablo (Ray Santiago) and Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo) as they work together to rid the world of evil once and for all, amid much trial and error along the way. Campbell decided to retire his most beloved character , Ash Williams, once Ash vs. Evil Dead was ultimately cancelled by Starz after three seasons, but most fans would agree that the "The King's" send-off with this series could not have been groovier.

Stream Ash vs. Evil Dead on Starz here .

What do you think? Are these the best series available to watch now on the digital platform, or should we have gazed at the Starz a little longer? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for additional information and updates on what to seek out on Starz , as well as even more recommendations of the best movies and TV shows you can stream , here on CinemaBlend.

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Jason Wiese writes feature stories for CinemaBlend. His occupation results from years dreaming of a filmmaking career, settling on a "professional film fan" career, studying journalism at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO (where he served as Culture Editor for its student-run print and online publications), and a brief stint of reviewing movies for fun. He would later continue that side-hustle of film criticism on TikTok (@wiesewisdom), where he posts videos on a semi-weekly basis. Look for his name in almost any article about Batman.

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The Best Time Travel TV Shows to Watch Right Now (And Where)

The allure of time’s elusive dance has, for eons, beckoned to the curious heart. Who hasn’t pondered the notion of stepping into yesteryears or peering into tomorrows yet to dawn?

This allure isn’t solely about chronological escapades. It’s a deeper, almost primal call. A longing to relive moments lost to time, an urge to amend choices, and a curiosity to gaze upon the horizons of the future.

The medium of television, with its expansive canvas, has adeptly mirrored this fascination, crafting tales that span eras, civilizations, and galaxies.

However, in our current age of television abundance, a dilemma arises for the discerning viewer: amidst this sea of chronicle-chasing narratives, which tales truly stand the test of time? Herein lies my expertise.

After immersing myself in a myriad of temporal tales, I’ve curated a compendium of the quintessential time-travel series.

So, I invite you: make yourself comfortable, perhaps with a beverage of choice in hand, and journey with me as we traverse the epochs, all from the intimate ambiance of your abode.

Table of Contents

1. “Doctor Who”

A classic among time travel tv shows.

“Doctor Who” is not just a show; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Launching in 1963, this British sci-fi series has become synonymous with time travel television.

At the heart of the series is the Doctor, a charismatic Time Lord from the distant planet Gallifrey.

Using the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space), a time machine that externally looks like a British police box but is vast on the inside, the Doctor journeys through various epochs, from the distant past to the far future.

The charm of “Doctor Who” lies not just in its time-traveling adventures but also in its ability to reinvent itself.

Over the years, the Doctor has regenerated into different forms, portrayed by various actors, each bringing their unique style to the character.

Companions join the Doctor on these adventures, offering fresh perspectives and grounding the often otherworldly tales in human emotion.

Notable Episodes:

• “Blink”: A chilling tale involving statues that come to life when not being watched.
• “The Day of the Doctor”: A multi-Doctor story celebrating the show’s 50th anniversary.

Where to Watch:

“Doctor Who” can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime and iTunes.

2. “Outlander”

A romantic twist on time travel.

“Outlander” beautifully merges the romance genre with the complexities of time travel. The series, based on Diana Gabaldon’s novels, is as much a love story as it is a historical drama.

Claire Randall, the protagonist, is not just navigating the challenges of 18th-century Scotland but is also torn between two men from different times: her 20th-century husband Frank and the 18th-century Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser.

The lush Scottish landscapes, detailed period costumes, and intense character dynamics make “Outlander” a visual and emotional feast.

The series delves deep into the Jacobite uprisings, providing viewers with a rich historical backdrop against which the personal dramas play out.

• “The Wedding”: Claire and Jamie’s relationship takes a significant turn.
• “Dragonfly in Amber”: The season 2 finale with high stakes and emotional moments.

“Outlander” can be streamed on STARZ and is also available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime and iTunes.

Top Time Travel TV Shows The allure of time travel has always been a captivating subject for many. The idea of venturing into the past or the future, correcting mistakes, or simply exploring different eras has been a staple in the realm of television.

With a plethora of time travel TV shows to choose from, it can be daunting to pick the best. But fear not, fellow time travel enthusiasts!

We’ve curated a list of some of the top time travel TV shows that will transport you to different timelines, all from the comfort of your couch.

3. “Dark”

A complex web of time loops.

“Dark” is not your typical time travel series. Hailing from Germany, this critically acclaimed show intricately weaves a narrative that spans multiple timelines and generations.

At its core, “Dark” explores the interconnectedness of four families in the town of Winden, as they grapple with the repercussions of time travel on human nature and relationships.

The series masterfully blends elements of drama, mystery, and science fiction, creating a unique viewing experience.

The atmospheric cinematography, haunting score, and compelling character arcs make “Dark” stand out in the crowded genre of time-travel TV shows.

It’s a tale that requires attention to detail, as the narrative intricacies are as deep as the show’s philosophical ponderings on fate and free will.

• “Sic Mundus Creatus Est”: Revelations about the cave and its mysterious link to the missing children.
• “An Endless Cycle”: A pivotal episode that further dives into the complexities of the time loop.

“Dark” can be streamed exclusively on Netflix.

4. “Quantum Leap”

Righting wrongs, one leap at a time.

“Quantum Leap” offers a unique twist on the time travel trope, focusing on the moral dilemmas and personal growth of its protagonist, Dr. Sam Beckett. Sam’s time-traveling adventures are not of his own choosing; instead, he finds himself “leaping” into various individuals throughout history.

Each episode presents a new challenge, as Sam assumes the identity of the person he’s leaped into, aiming to correct a mistake in their life.

Accompanied by his holographic friend Al, Sam navigates these situations with a mix of wit, empathy, and determination.

The show skillfully balances episodic adventures with an overarching narrative, as Sam hopes each leap will be the one that finally takes him home.

• “The Leap Home”: A two-part episode where Sam leaps into his younger self, giving him a chance to reconnect with his family.
• “M.I.A.”: Sam leaps into a police detective in the 1960s, leading to an emotional journey involving the Vietnam War.

“Quantum Leap” can be streamed on NBC’s official website and is also available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime and iTunes.

5. “12 Monkeys”

A race against time.

Inspired by the groundbreaking 1995 film directed by Terry Gilliam, the “12 Monkeys” TV series expands upon the original’s storyline, adding layers of complexity and depth.

The show follows James Cole, a determined time traveler from a post-apocalyptic future where a deadly virus has decimated the human population.

His mission is clear: to stop the release of the virus and rewrite the course of history.

Throughout its run, “12 Monkeys” skillfully juggles multiple timelines, intricate character relationships, and the looming threat of the enigmatic “Army of the 12 Monkeys.”

The series delves into themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the nature of time itself, offering viewers a thrilling and thought-provoking experience.

• “Splinter”: The episode that kicks off Cole’s time-traveling journey, setting the tone for the series.
• “Die Glocke”: A high-stakes mission in World War II-era France with significant implications for the future.

“12 Monkeys” can be streamed on Hulu and the SYFY network’s official website. It’s also available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime and iTunes.

6. “Travelers”

A future-focused mission.

“Travelers” offers a fresh take on the time travel genre, focusing on the consciousness-transfer method rather than physical time travel.

The show paints a bleak picture of the future, with humanity on the brink of collapse. To change this outcome, special operatives, the “Travelers,” have their consciousness sent back to the 21st century, taking over the lives of unsuspecting individuals.

The series expertly blends action-packed missions with personal drama, as the Travelers grapple with the duality of their existence.

They must maintain their host’s lives while carrying out high-stakes operations to prevent future catastrophes. The show delves into the ethical and emotional challenges of their situation, raising questions about identity, relationships, and the greater good.

• “Protocol 6”: The team faces a moral dilemma when one of their missions puts a child’s life at risk.
• “17 Minutes”: A unique episode format where the Travelers race against time to prevent a disaster, with multiple do-overs.

“Travelers” can be streamed exclusively on Netflix.

7. “Continuum”

A cop from the future.

“Continuum” takes a unique approach to the time travel genre, grounding it in a blend of police procedural and speculative fiction.

The story centers on Kiera Cameron, a dedicated law enforcement officer from a future where corporations govern society.

When a group of anti-corporate terrorists known as “Liber8” escapes their execution by traveling back to the early 21st century, Kiera is inadvertently dragged along with them.

Now stranded in a past that is not her own, Kiera must navigate a world without advanced technology and the comforts of her time.

While she is determined to stop Liber8 and their attempts to alter the future, she also faces the challenge of working with the Vancouver Police Department without revealing her true identity.

As the series progresses, “Continuum” delves deeper into the gray areas of morality, exploring the consequences of one’s actions and the fluidity of good and evil.

• “A Stitch in Time”: The pilot episode sets the stage, introducing Kiera, Liber8, and the complexities of time travel.
• “Second Skin”: Kiera’s future technology becomes a target, leading to intense action and revelations about the nature of her suit.

“Continuum” can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. It’s also available for purchase on platforms like iTunes and Google Play.

8. “Time After Time”

Historical figures in modern times.

Based on the 1979 novel of the same name, “Time After Time” offers a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between two historical figures: H.G. Wells and Jack the Ripper.

In this fictional portrayal, Wells has constructed a time machine which the infamous Jack the Ripper uses to escape to the present day.

Determined to capture the notorious killer, Wells pursues him to modern-day New York City. As Wells navigates the complexities of the 21st century, he also grapples with his own morals and the realization that his utopian beliefs might not hold up in this new world.

• “Pilot”: The inception of the chase, setting up the premise of the show.
• “Picture Fades”: Wells confronts the consequences of time travel on personal relationships.

“Time After Time” can be streamed on ABC’s official website and is also available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime and iTunes.

9. “Legends of Tomorrow”

Superheroes through time.

A spin-off from the popular “Arrow” and “The Flash” TV shows, “Legends of Tomorrow” assembles a team of heroes and anti-heroes to prevent time aberrations.

Led by Time Master Rip Hunter, the team travels through various eras, from the days of ancient Egypt to the futuristic world of 2166, to stop the immortal tyrant Vandal Savage and other threats to the timeline. The series combines action, humor, and heart, offering a fresh take on the time travel genre through the lens of superhero tropes.

• “Moonshot”: The team travels to the 1970s to retrieve a piece of the Spear of Destiny from the Apollo 13 mission.
• “The Good, The Bad, and The Cuddly”: A showdown in the Wild West against a demon and its minions.

“Legends of Tomorrow” can be streamed on The CW’s official website and app. It’s also available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime and iTunes.

Concluding Our Timeless Journey

Diving deep into the realm of time travel TV shows, we’ve unearthed a treasure trove of series that challenge our perceptions, tug at our heartstrings, and ignite our imaginations.

The unyielding grip of time travel on storytelling showcases our collective desire to escape our temporal bounds and experience epochs beyond our own.

For the curious newbie or the seasoned aficionado of the genre, this list stands as a definitive guide to the best temporal tales on television.

So, as you ready your remote and cozy up in your cherished binge-watching spot, remember: each click is a doorway to a new era. Set your course, time traveler, and enjoy the odyssey!

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The 15 Best TV Shows Set in the 18th Century

Period shows are really just a world of their own, whether within the drama, romance, or action-adventure genres.

Between the uncomfortable fashion, ridiculously complex hairstyles, non-existence of technology, war and violence, and just generally difficult lifestyles, it’s sometimes hard for us to imagine that this is actual, real-life history – albeit fictionalized to a certain extent.

It certainly makes us appreciate the advancements in society that we have the comfort of today!

At the very least, historical and period dramas provide a sort of escape for us without departing too far from reality the way supernatural or fantasy shows do.

So for those looking for a blast from the past (3 centuries ago, to be exact), we’ve put together a list of TV shows set in the 18th century for your enjoyment!

Whether set against the backdrop of European royalty or the American colonial era, these shows will transport you through time for a (sometimes not-entirely-accurate) history lesson!

Outlander, Starz (2014 – present)

Based on the series of novels of the same name by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is a historical drama that has recently been renewed for its sixth season.

The Starz series primarily follows Claire Randall, who was initially a nurse during World War II .

During a visit to Scotland with her husband Frank, she suddenly finds herself transported back in time to the mid-18th century.

She falls in love with a Highlander named Jamie Fraser and with him and his people tries to survive the brewing war of the Jacobite movement and later, the American Revolutionary War.

Though largely historical in nature,  Outlander has touches of the fantasy genre with Claire often travels between her current century and the 18th.

Tom Jones, PBS (2023)

Among the newer TV show on this list is PBS Masterpiece’s miniseries Tom Jones .

Based on Henry Fielding’s 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, this four-part miniseries follows the roguish but lovable Tom Jones as he’s trying to find his place in the world and maybe fall in love, too.

Along the way, Tom meets his neighbor Sophia Western. And although forces constantly conspire against the two lovers, nothing can keep them apart for too long.

So, we’re treated to a rom-com-style period drama showing Tom and Sophia’s sweeping love story with all the ups and downs that come with it.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Netflix (2023)

Netflix’s Bridgerton quickly became a fan favorite after its debut in late 2020. So, it’s no wonder that Netflix decided to expand on the Bridgerton fame with a prequel series.

Titled Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story , the series focuses on Bridgerton’s scene-stealer Queen Charlotte.

While Golda Rosheuvel played the queen in the parent series and narrates this spin-off, the series itself primarily follows a young Queen Charlotte (played by India Amarteifio) as she rose to power after her marriage to King George.

Queen Charlotte starts with young Charlotte meeting King George III, launching a love story for the ages as well as sparking a societal shift that ripples true the Ton and is still felt in Bridgerton , which takes place quite a few decades later.

Frontier, Discovery Channel/Netflix (2016 – 2018)

Sometime in the late 18th century, the North American fur trade was just starting up between the Native Americans and Canadian Aboriginal peoples. Frontier , a production collaboration between Discovery Canada and Netflix, chronicles this pivotal time in the two countries’ history.

Declan Harp is an outlaw of Irish and Cree descent, intent on getting rid of the monopoly that the Hudson’s Bay Company has over the fur trade despite the never-ending slew of obstacles and outlaws pursuing him.

Trying to thwart him at every turn is Lord Benton, who is determined to maintain the very hold that Declan is trying to breach.

Beecham House, ITV (2019)

Another late 18th-century show that we can’t forget to mention on this list is ITV’s short-lived series Beecham House .

Set in India on the cusp of the 19th century , Beecham House follows the story of John Beecham, a former soldier with the all-powerful East India Company, as he moves to Delhi to start a new life with his family.

Beecham intends to set up his own trading company and build a new life for his family at the magnificent mansion called the Beecham House. However, he soon discovers that his past and the political tensions of the time make creating that new life more complicated than he anticipated.

The show features an ensemble cast, stunning sets and costumes, and explores themes of power, love, and identity, all while delivering a dash of romance and intrigue, too.

Poldark, BBC One (2015 – 2019)

This recent adaptation of Poldark is the second based on the historical novels of the same name by Winston Graham. With Aidan Turner ( And Then There Were None , The Hobbit trilogy) in the titular role, Poldark tells his story following his return home to Cornwall after the American War of Independence in 1783.

In the three years he was gone, his father has died and left the estate not only in ruins but also in debt, and the childhood love he left behind has been engaged to another man.

In an attempt to get back on his feet, he hires a young scullery maid but quickly falls in love and soon, rebuilds a life and family with her.

Black Sails, Starz (2014 – 2017)

One can never go wrong with a show about pirates , especially not when you have production names like Michael Bay and Brad Fuller behind it.

Starz’s Black Sails is the prequel to the events in the famous novel “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson, and takes place around two decades prior with the infamous Captain Flint at the helm of the show.

This period in the early 18th century is known as the Golden Age of Piracy, with pirates dominating maritime trade and only adhering to their own rules.

Early seasons focus on Flint’s hunt for a Spanish treasure trove and evading the army guarding it.

The latter seasons shift focus to his fight to protect New Providence against the British Empire.

The Great, Hulu (2020 – present)

History is rarely seen in a humorous light, but Hulu’s The Great manages to take a light, fictional, and satirical approach to a pretty pivotal moment in Russia’s history: the rise of their Empress, Catherine the Great.

The first season, which was released in full on the streaming platform in May 2020, mainly outlines her younger years leading up to her marriage to Emperor Peter III and the subsequent coup and assassination she plotted against him.

Season 2 of The Great premiered in November of 2021 and showed what happened to Peter III post-coup as well as Catherine’s achievements as the longest-ruling female leader in Russia!

Turn: Washington’s Spies, AMC (2014 – 2017)

AMC’s Turn: Washington’s Spies is an 18th-century period drama based on Alexander Rose’s 2007 book entitled Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring.

This four-season series adaptation does indeed tell the (fictionalized) story of a real-life group of spies who were an integral part of Wasington’s efforts during the Revolutionary War.

To be more specific, the series follows a young farmer named Abraham Woodhull and a few of his close childhood friends as they form what would become known as the Culper Ring, tasked with gathering insider knowledge on the British camp’s military tactics.

Harlots, ITVEncore/Hulu (2017 – 2019)

To better appreciate Harlots , it’s important to understand what society was like in 18th-century London, where the show is set.

Back then, women had primarily two ways to come into wealth: marrying a rich man or engaging in sex work, where the industry was booming and lucrative.

Margaret Wells, a ruthless businesswoman, owns one of the brothels in the city and is also a mother to two daughters, Charlotte and Lucy.

When she moves her brothel to a wealthier part of the city in order to make more money, she crosses paths with another madam, Lydia Quigley, against whom she must defend herself to protect her family and her business – not to mention against the police and religious groups determined to shut them down.

The Book of Negroes, CBC/BET (2015)

When talking about the American Revolutionary War, what’s usually at the forefront is the conflict between the Thirteen Colonies and the British Empire.

What we don’t often talk about, however, is the pre-existing plight of the slaves throughout the war.

In The Book of Negroes miniseries from CBC and BET, we follow the life of Aminata Diallo, a young captive from West Africa who was sold in South Carolina and persevered through the hardships of slavery.

During the war, she helped in registering the names of Black Loyalists in the (historically accurate) Book of Negroes, and eventually finds her way back to her homeland.

Roots, History Channel (2016)

Roots follows in the vein of The Book of Negroes in that it documents the life of a young man taken from his African homeland and sold into slavery in the 1760s: Kunta Kinte, as well as that of his descendants.

The character of Kunta is based on an ancestor of author Alex Haley, whose novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family serves as the basis for this History Channel four-part miniseries.

The show paints a harrowing but inspirational historical picture of a family’s fight for survival through so many pivotal moments in American history, from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to the eventual emancipation of their people from slavery.

John Adams, HBO (2008)

Quick question: how much do you know about John Adams apart from that he was, at some point, America’s president?

If you’re American yourself, probably a whole lot about his role in the American Revolution. Anyone living outside the United States through, isn’t likely to know much.

HBO’s eponymous miniseries is a great place to start learning more about President Adams, despite its fictionalization and historical inaccuracies in some aspects.

Based on the biography by David McCullough, John Adams tells the story of his political achievements and contributions to the country as a Founding Father, particularly within the first 50 years of America’s birth starting from the night of the Boston Massacre in 1770.

Washington, History (2020)

Now here’s an American president that you definitely know a lot more about, whether you’re an American or not.

Sure, most of us know him as the first president and a leading figure during the Revolutionary War, students have been drilled with information about his military and political achievements. However, as stated in the History Channel’s plotline: “…there’s more to our preeminent founding father than you’ve been told.”

That’s the story that their miniseries Washington aspires to tell its viewers, the story that starts with a young officer in the British colonial army and ends with an inspirational leader and one of the country’s greatest presidents.

The show interlaces footage of archival documents, reenactments, and real-life interviews to paint a picture of Washington unlike any we’ve ever seen before.

Aristocrats, BBC One (1999)

The last show on our list is another miniseries and takes us back across the seas to 18th-century England where, as we said at the start of this article, the fashion trends revolved around lace, corsets, and ostentatious headdresses, especially for the elite of the time.

Aristocrats is based on the biographical novel written by Stella Tillyard on the high-born Lennox sisters Caroline, Emily, Louisa, and Sarah.

They were descendants of King Charles II and the daughters of the 2nd Duke of Richmond and thus, lived a luxurious life.

Each of them married into prominent families of their own – noblemen, politicians, and army officers – and Aristocrats outlines each woman’s journeys as a family following their parents’ death as well as their individual lives and relationships.

Oh my gosh. You forgot BRIDGERTON!!! Hello !!!!!!!!

Bridgerton is actually set in 1813 which means that it’s set in the 19th century, not in the 18th century (therefore it’s on our list of the best shows set in the 19th century).

Thanks for the suggestion, Laure! Turn has been added to this list!

Uhhhh…You forgot TURN. Which is better than any of these (other than maybe Outlander)

Agree But Poldark is still a fave of mine 😍

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The 14 Best Time Travel TV Shows Ever

By Michael Rougeau on February 13, 2019 at 1:37PM PST

GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

It's a temporal week in entertainment.

Here at GameSpot, we love good sci-fi, especially of the time travel variety. That's what makes this week so exciting: Not only does Happy Death Day 2U , the sequel to the Groundhog Day-like slasher movie, hit theaters this Wednesday, February 13--Netflix's Umbrella Academy , about a quirky team of superheroes that includes a time traveling 15-year-old, releases on Friday, February 15. That's a lot of temporal displacement.

Happy Death Day 2U and Umbrella Academy succeed on the backs of a long history of time travel fiction on the big and small screens. To celebrate, we're going to look back at both-- click here for the best time travel movies , and read on for the greatest time travel TV shows of all, uh, time.

Note: These are presented in no particular order, because ranking them would just take too much time. ;)

1. Umbrella Academy (2019)

Netflix's Umbrella Academy isn't technically out yet as of the time of this writing, but we've seen the first season, and suffice to say it does the time travel genre proud. Based on comics by artist Gabriel Bá and My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way, the dark, quirky show follows a team of powered individuals who reunite for the first time in years after their adoptive father/team leader passes away. We won't spoil what that has to do with time travel, but it will be clear from the first episode for those who watch. Umbrella Academy's release date is February 15 on Netflix, so check it out then.

2. Doctor Who (1963-present)

Doctor Who has a long and complicated history, but whether you love or hate the new Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, it's undeniable that she's made waves. Regardless, there are decades of Doctor Who history that prove the quintessentially British production is the most lasting time travel show ever. Doctor Who follows the Doctor, an alien who traverses space and time with the help of a police call box that's bigger on the inside and a rotating cast of human companions. The Doctor changes actors every few seasons for wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey reasons, but the fundamentals always stay the same.

3. Future Man (2017-present)

From Executive Producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg--the team behind AMC's Preacher and more--this funny Hulu original follows Josh Futturman (get it?), a janitor who gets called to travel through time and save the world thanks to his skill at the video game Biotic Wars. Except it turns out, contrary to what The Last Starfighter would have us believe, being good at video games isn't really helpful in most real life situations. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I'm not sure what you're doing reading this website.

4. Travelers (2017-2018)

Travelers is a Netflix original in which a team of time traveling special agents jump into the past to inhabit the bodies of the recently deceased and work together to stop large scale disasters. It's a pretty out there concept--the organization the agents work for can send them into any host as long as they know the time and cause of death, but that leaves plenty of room for error, such as agents suddenly finding themselves in a body with a heroin addiction. The show wrapped up after three seasons, and it's worth watching to the end.

5. Russian Doll (2019)

Russian Doll is basically an artsy, gonzo take on Groundhog Day co-created by Amy Poehler, actress and star Natasha Lyonne, and writer/director Leslye Headland. Lyonne kills it as a black hole of dark comedy who gets stuck in a time loop in which she dies in increasingly outrageous ways, only to appear back at her own bohemian birthday party. The Netflix original expands on this concept in smart, interesting ways, and ultimately draws its eight short episodes to an emotional, satisfying conclusion.

6. 12 Monkeys (2015-2018)

Not to be confused with the 1995 movie of the same name, this TV adaptation launched on Syfy in 2015 and concluded with its fourth and final season in 2018. The show's plot is similar to the movie's: A future agent is sent back in time to stop "The Army of the 12 Monkeys" from releasing a deadly virus that will decimate humanity. It may lack Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, but the show wound up carving its own path and being worthy of the movie's legacy.

7. Outlander (2014-present)

Based on Diana Gabaldon's historical time travel/romance novels of the same name, and developed for Starz by Ron Moore (of Battlestar Galactica fame), Outlander is surprisingly cool for something that at first glance seems to exist mostly so fans can fawn over Highland heartthrob Jamie Fraser, played in the show by Sam Heughan. The series sends protagonist Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) back in time to various points, most notably to 18th century Scotland, and also stars Game of Thrones' Tobias Menzies.

8. Quantum Leap (1989-1993)

Quantum Leap aired on NBC for five seasons in the late '80s and early '90s, way before time travel and sci-fi in general were really cool like they are today. Scott Bakula starred as Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who becomes stuck in the past, where he temporarily inhabits the bodies of other people. Over the course of the series, he must alter history to make it back to the present.

9. Lost (2004-2010)

Most viewers agree that Lost eventually, err, lost the thread of what made it great at the start, but no one can deny its cultural influence during the early aughts when it aired. What began as a disaster drama following the survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious island eventually sent those survivors hurtling through time on various poorly conceived hijinks and adventures. But fans remember the good times, not the bad, and the importance of Lost's legacy in pop culture and how we collectively watch TV can't be overstated.

10. The Flash (2014-present)

Part of the CW's slate of DC superhero shows, The Flash follows Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), a crime scene investigator who gains the power to move at supernatural speeds thanks to a botched science experiment. Part of that ability involves jiggling so fast that he moves through time. This always has dire consequences for Barry and his entourage, but he can't seem to stop himself from doing it anyway, and over the show's many seasons so far, time travel has become one of its main driving forces.

11. Legends of Tomorrow (2016-present)

Another of the CW's DC shows, Legends initially followed castaways from The Flash and Arrow, plus a cadre of new characters, on their adventures through time. It's unabashedly goofy, involving things like "Time Masters" and a "Thanagarian invasion," but that's partially what people love about it. The time travel ramped up in Season 3, when former Time Master Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill) formed the Time Bureau to help the Legends fix the anachronisms their hijinks have created throughout history.

12. Dark (2017-present)

Dark is Netflix's first German language original, and if you can read--which, hopefully you can, if you're reading this right now--it's worth watching with subtitles on. The time travel thriller takes place in a fictional German town called Winden, where children are disappearing. We quickly learn that at least one of those children has been sent to the past, and things continue to get crazier from there. Dark is probably the most nail-biting drama on this list, and now's the perfect time to catch up, as Season 2 is expected out some time soon.

13. 11.22.63 (2016)

Based on the Stephen King book of the same name, the Hulu miniseries 11.22.63 starred James Franco as Jake Epping, a divorced English teacher who travels back in time to try and prevent the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. But he can only go back to 1960, and over the three years before his mission culminates, he makes a pretty good life for himself, which throws a wrench in the plan. The miniseries spans eight episodes, so it's perfect for a time travel binge.

14. Steins;Gate (2011)

Steins;Gate is a time travel anime that follows self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintaro Okabe and his friends as they discover the ability to send text messages to the past. They use this newfound power exactly how you'd expect: to change the present by saving lives, uncovering conspiracies, and doing general temporal hijinks. If you're into anime and time travel, Steins;Gate is a must-see. Just don't ask us why there's a semicolon in the title.

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If you've been meaning to check out the seductive 17th-century historical drama Mary & George , Starz just launched a can't-miss streaming deal to expand your binge-watching options this spring. Now through May 31, new Starz subscribers can get access to hit movies, original programming and more for $5 for their first month. 

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Starring Julianne Moore and  Nicholas Galitzine ,  Mary & George is a seven-episode series  based on the non-fiction book The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James . Mary Villiers (Moore) moulds her charismatic son, George (Galitzine), to seduce King James and become his all-powerful lover.

From the new period piece that premiered on April 5 to seven seasons of  Outlander  and more shows like  BMF , P-Valley , Power , Hightown , and Courteney Cox’s Shining Vale , Starz offers a unique library of titles. Subscribers will also get access to Starz’s lineup of 15 live channels. Owned by Lionsgate, Starz is home to the studio’s film and TV series, such as the Saw franchise,  Alien vs. Predator , and  Independence Day . 

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How Starz is Leading the Way With Historical TV Dramas

Historical dramas are being produced by most streaming services, but here is how Starz is leading the genre with great TV shows.

Between their haughty social class etiquette, duels, political wars, and incredible, historical costumes , period dramas have always been popular. BBC dominated the genre for many years, especially with their Jane Austen adaptations , which are still beloved today, and the channel has continued to produce great historical series. However, the rise of streaming services and channels have led to a bounty of serialized stories set in the past.

Some streaming services have been investing in many new historical series that are some of their most-watched shows, such as Netflix with Bridgerton and The Crown and HBO's The Gilded Age, to name only a few. However, there is one channel that has been setting itself apart for the amount of historical content it produces, as well as the diversity inside the genre: Starz . The most watched original Starz series is Outlander , a historical fantasy adapted from the book series by Diana Gabaldon. Beyond that, though, the streaming service has dedicated years to creating and developing historical dramas, and this has resulted in a catalog that really stands out from its competitors.

Starz has been leading the way in producing historical shows for quite some time. Here is how and why the service continues to be such a leader in the genre.

Diversity of Genres and Time Periods on Starz

One of the best qualities of the Starz historical dramas is its diversity regarding genre and time period the stories are set in. Most streaming services don't focus on historical drama series set in different time periods; usually, their stories are in the Medieval Age or the Victorian era in the 19th century . Even though Starz also has drama period shows set in these times, there are a large amount set in different moments, such as the Renaissance in Italy, France in the 18th century, and even the Roman Republic.

Related: Best Historical TV Shows, Ranked

Another compelling element Starz has utilized is merging comedy with historical stories, often incorporating lighter tones. There are more comedic shows available like The Great , one of the most acclaimed shows from Starz, set in Imperial Russia inside the Russian palace. Of course, there are a lot of options regarding more drama-driven narratives, such as the Spanish Princess, which tells the life of Katherine of Aragon. Then there is Black Sails , a show about pirates in the early 18th century. However, even among the drama shows, there are different options regarding genre mixes. Outlander is a fantasy romance that takes the viewer to 1700s Scotland through magical stones.

These shows couldn't be more different, and there were all made by Starz. This inventiveness appears to be a trademark of the channel always looking for new ideas and shows that are quite like nothing else available on television.

Creating TV Worlds

An important factor that has become more prominent in the last couple of years is the format of a show. For a very long time, historical dramas had various seasons which followed a family from generations, as in Downton Abbey . However, in recent years, miniseries (what some may consider longer movies) have been getting a lot of attention. This has not decreased the love for episodic shows with multiple seasons, but this change has been quite notable in the entertainment industry: the look for smaller series.

Starz has both formats, miniseries and series, in the historical genre, but it is more than that: the channel created worlds that connect their most famous stories across different formats. One example is The White Princess , a miniseries which received a lot of love that led to the production of a longer series, the epic 16-part The Spanish Princess, creating an interconnected world inside the streaming catalog.

Related: The Serpent Queen Review: The New Starz Drama is Bold and Wickedly Fun

Series and miniseries are not the only formats the streaming service has used to increase the level of storytelling of their stories. They used movies made to continue the story of a beloved series that ended after years on the air, such as Downton Abbey . And even spin-off shows, such as the Outlander prequel series . The amount of possibilities these interwoven stories have is really interesting from a creative point of view, and the streaming service is still exploring it. It's almost like Starz's historical cinematic universe, and it makes fans very happy.

Quality Content

There is no denying that the options available on the Starz catalog regarding historical dramas can't be compared with any other streaming service. They were one of the first to invest in such shows, with great examples being the dramatic political series Spartacus and The Pillars of the Earth 13 years ago. There is an intrinsic boldness regarding the material they produce that translates to having so many people watching their shows. The channel became known for these stories, and they have been associated with critically acclaimed historian shows for some time.

From recent releases like The Serpent Queen and Dangerous Liaisons to upcoming series like Queen Nzinga and a show about Eleanor of Aquitaine, whenever a new historical show by Starz is announced, the audience prepares themselves for a great story that will probably make them cry and laugh, sometimes all in the same scene. But most importantly of all, they will be transported to the past while being completely gripped by the story being told.

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The 19 best Starz TV shows you can stream today in 2024

Published on April 19, 2024

Starz is probably best known as a second-tier premium cable channel, behind HBO and Showtime. Still, the service offers plenty of new shows from week to week, and it produces its own original series . They’re all available to stream. Here, we list the 2o best Starz TV shows, including hits like American Gods, and gory-but-fun Ash vs Evil Dead.

Don’t have a subscription to Starz? You can sign up for the service with a free seven-day trial, followed by $8.99 a month, at the link below.

Best Starz TV shows:

• Ash vs Evil Dead
• Black Sails
• The Serpent Queen
• Now Apocalypse
• The Missing
• The White Queen
• Blindspotting
• The Girlfriend Experience
• Run The World
• Survivor’s Remorse
• Howards End

Editor’s note: We will update this list of the best Starz TV shows frequently as new ones launch.

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)

What you need to know:

• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator:   Ivan Raimi, Sam Raimi, Tom Spezialy
• Main cast: Bruce Campbell, Lucy Lawless, Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, Jill Marie Jones
• Genre: Horror Comedy
• Ratings: 8.4 – IMDB / 99% – Rotten Tomatoes

Thirty years after returning from 1300 AD, Deadite killer Ash Williams now leads a simple life on modern-day Earth. However, he still has the Necronomicon, aka The Book of the Dead. When he decides to read from the book to impress his “date,” he releases the Deadites once again. Thankfully he has some young partners to help him this time.

Bruce Campbell’s return as Ash from the original Evil Dead movie trilogy is the best part of this three-season show. His performance is part horror-action star and part comedy genius. It helps that the episodes stick with the Evil Dead trilogy’s style of quick cuts, fast zooms, and some gory effects. It’s definitely one of the best Stars TV shows.

Ready to watch? You can find the show right here on Starz .

Black Sails (2014-2017)

• Creator: Robert Levine, Jonathan E. Steinberg
• Main cast: Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Tom Hopper
• Genre: Historical drama
• Ratings: 8.2 – IMDB / 81% – Rotten Tomatoes

In this prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island. New Providence Island in 1715 is now controlled by pirates. The British Empire want to reclaim this island, but they will have to go through former Navy officer Captain Flint and his pirate crew.

Pirates continue to fascinate modern audiences, and this four-season show on Starz is one of the best examples of the historical pirate genre. It has action, suspense, drama, and more than a few surprises along the way.

Ready to watch? You can find the show right here on Starz.

Outlander (2014-ongoing)

• Creator: Ronald D. Moore
• Main cast: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin, Duncan Lacroix
• Genre: Historical drama/Sci-fi
• Ratings: 7.6 – IMDB / 89% – Rotten Tomatoes

Just after World War II, a married former UK Army nurse from the gets mysteriously transported back in time to 1743 Scotland. She quickly gets romantically involved with a highlander warrior but still seeks to go back to her own time.

This series, based on the best-selling romantic novels by Diana Gabaldon, is Starz’s first true mainstream TV show hit. It continues to show the very passionate relationship between the time-traveling woman and her 18th-century Scottish husband and how time travel continues to be interwoven in the series. You can watch the first season on Starz, with the seventh season due in 2023.

The Serpent Queen (2022)

• Creator: Justin Haythe
• Main cast: Samantha Morton, Liv Hill, Amrita Acharia, Barry Atsma, Enzo Cilenti, Sennia Nanua, Kiruna Stamell
• Genre: Drama
• Ratings: 7.7 – IMDB / 100% – Rotten Tomatoes

Catherine de Medici has to think fast, using her intelligence and determination to save her marriage when she learns her new husband is in love with an older woman. Married as an orphaned teenager into the 16th-century French court, she is expected to bring a dowry and produce heirs, but when she is unable to conceive and her dowry remains unpaid, she must find other ways to assert herself and rule over France.

If you enjoy historical dramas like Hulu’s The Great or Starz’s own The White Queen, you’ll definitely want to check out The Serpent Queen, one of the best Starz TV shows you can stream right now.

Party Down (2009-ongoing)

• Rating: TV-14
• Creator:   John Enbom, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge, Paul Rudd
• Main cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Megan Mullally
• Genre: Comedy
• Ratings: 8.2 – IMDB / 93% – Rotten Tomatoes

In Hollywood, a group of actors and writers waiting for their big break make money by working as employees of a catering service. They have to deal with their frustrated boss along with their sometimes wacky clients.

While this series was not a huge success at the time, it has since turned into a cult hit thanks to its funny and different look at struggling actors in Hollywood. Starz decided to revive the show over a decade after it ended, with a third season airing in 2023.

Now Apocalypse (2019)

• Creator: Gregg Araki
• Main cast: Avan Jogia, Jacob Artist, Kelli Berglund, Roxane Mesquida, Beau Mirchoff
• Ratings: 6.3 – IMDB / 79% – Rotten Tomatoes

A group of friends in Los Angeles tries to navigate love, sex, and fame, all while encountering what could be very real demons. That is, unless they’re just drug-fuelled delusions.

Despite being canceled after one season, Now Apocalypse, which was produced by Steven Soderberg, is an outrageously surreal queer comedy. Since its cancelation, it has earned a cult following and is worth watching.

Power (2014-2022 )

• Creator: Courtney A. Kemp
• Main cast: Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Luis Antonio Ramos
• Genre: Crime Drama
• Ratings: 8.1 – IMDB / 81% – Rotten Tomatoes

James “Ghost” St. Patrick wants to leave his illegal but profitable drug empire behind for legitimate business, first by opening a high-end nightclub in New York City. However, some of his family and business partners don’t like these changes, and the law is also still going after him.

The show has Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as an executive producer and as an actor, playing one of Ghost’s rivals, Kanan Stark. The six seasons show how Ghost tries so hard to get away from his past, but the forces beyond his control keep bringing him back. You can watch all six seasons of the original show now.

The Missing (2014-2016)

• Creator: Harry Williams, Jack Williams
• Main cast: Tchéky Karyo, David Morrissey, Keeley Hawes, Roger Allam, Laura Fraser

This is a British crime anthology series, but both have the character of a retired detective, Julien Baptiste, as part of the case. The first season centers on a father who lost his son while on a family trip to France years ago but is still searching for him. The second season focuses on a different family whose daughter disappeared over a decade ago but has now reappeared, claiming she was held captive with another girl.

If you love British crime dramas set in international locations, this short-lived anthology series is for you. Both seasons offer some great storytelling for fans of the mystery genre.

Minx (2022-ongoing)

• Creator: Ellen Rapoport
• Main cast: Ophelia Lovibond, Michael Angarano, Jessica Lowe, Oscar Montoya, Lennon Parham, Idara Victor, Jake Johnson
• Ratings: 7.6 – IMDB / 97% – Rotten Tomatoes

In the 1970s, a young feminist working to get a publication of the ground partners with a low-rent porn publisher to launch the first-ever erotic magazine aimed at women.

Minx was one of the HBO Max original shows unceremoniously dropped and scrubbed from the service, but luckily Starz picked it up and immediately greenlit a second season. If you’re a fan of shows like GLOW, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Physical, and A League of Their Own, you won’t want to miss one of the best Starz shows.

The White Queen (2013)

• Creator: Emma Frost, Philippa Gregory
• Main cast: Max Irons, James Frain, Rebecca Ferguson, Janet McTeer, Amanda Hale
• Ratings: 7.7 – IMDB / 80% – Rotten Tomatoes

This series is set in the UK during the 15th century War of the Roses. It focuses on three women as they each seduce and manipulate men to gain power and the throne of England.

This miniseries is based on the second, third, and fourth novels from The Cousins’ War novels written by Philippa Gregory. The show has some great performances, terrific production design, and things can get a bit adult in themes and content. A sequel miniseries currently available on Starz, The White Princess , is based on the fifth Cousins’ War book. Another miniseries, The Spanish Princess , is based on the sixth book, The King’s Curse, and another related novel written by Gregory called The Constant Princess.

Blindspotting (2021-ongoing)

• Creator:  Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs
• Main cast: Jasmine Cephas Jones, Benjamin Earl Turner, Atticus Woodward, Jaylen Barron, Candace Nicholas-Lippman
• Genre: Family drama
• Ratings: 6.5 – IMDB / 100% – Rotten Tomatoes

A woman’s life is turned upside down when her partner of 12 years is suddenly put into jail. She and her son have to move in with her partner’s mother and half-sister and then the problems really begin.

While Blindspotting is a sequel to the 2019 film of the same name, you thankfully don’t have to have seen that movie to understand what’s going on in this series. This is a family ensemble show that shows how some very human problems can become massive crises. A second season is coming in 2023.

Ready to watch? You can find the show right here on the Starz Apple TV Channel .

The Girlfriend Experience (2016-2021)

• Creator:  Lodge Kerrigan, Amy Seimetz, Anja Marquardt
• Main cast: Julia Goldani Telles, Anna Friel, Louisa Krause, Carmen Ejogo, Riley Keough
• Genre: Adult drama
• Ratings: 7.0 – IMDB / 73% – Rotten Tomatoes

This is an anthology series, with each season following one or more young women, all of which are high-end escorts navigating different conflicts and life events. The show is based loosely on director Steven Soderbergh’s 2009 film of the same name and who also serves as an executive producer of the show.

All three seasons of the show get very honest and very detailed about the lives of sex workers. All of the seasons had female showrunners as well. However, it’s not just about showing sex. It also shows the consequences of working in the sex industry.

Ready to watch? You can find the show Starz Apple TV Channel .

Hightown (2020-present)

• Creator: Rebecca Cutter
• Main cast: Monica Raymund, James Badge Dale, Riley Voelkel, Atkins Estimond, Amaury Nolasco
• Genre: Crime drama
• Ratings: 6.8 – IMDB / 80% – Rotten Tomatoes

Provincetown, Massachusetts may look like a peaceful coastal town. However, when the body of a woman is discovered in the town, one woman’s investigation into the murder shows the dark underbelly of crime and drug use in the community.

The setting of the show is almost a character by itself. You get to see that a tourist town may just be a facade. It also deals with LGBTQ+ issues with its main character, a federal fisheries agent who is dealing with her own drug and alcohol addictions.

Ready to watch? You can find the show right now on Starz .

BMF (2021-ongoing)

• Creator: Randy Huggins
• Main cast: Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory, Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Myles Truitt
• Ratings: 7.5 – IMDB / 80% – Rotten Tomatoes

The Black Mafia Family (BMF) is a crime group of people who formed an organized family in Detroit during the 1980s. The series is a dramatization of those early days when two brothers formed the BMF and their eventual conflict with each other.

Like the Power franchise, this series has Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as an executive producer. Unlike the Power shows, this is based on a real crime family that would gain fame in the hip-hop world. You can also watch a companion series, The BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast , on Starz.

P-Valley (2020-ongoing )

• Creator: Katori Hall
• Main cast: Brandee Evans, Nicco Annan, Shannon Thornton, Elarica Johnson, Skyler Joy
• Genre: Adult Drama
• Ratings: 7.3 – IMDB / 95% – Rotten Tomatoes

The Pynk, a strip club located in a town on the Mississippi Delta, is the central location of this series. It follows several of the club’s strippers and dancers as we look behind the scenes of their lives and problems.

Like The Girlfriend Experience, this show isn’t afraid to deal with real issues about sex workers and the industry where they make their livings. This show is not meant to titillate but to explore the inner workings of these characters. A third season of the show is due in 2023.

Run The World (2021-ongoing)

• Creator: Leigh Davenport
• Main cast: Amber Stevens West, Andrea Bordeaux, Bresha Webb, Corbin Reid, Tosin Morohunfola
• Ratings: 6.2 – IMDB / 100% – Rotten Tomatoes

This is a show about a group of young African American inseparable friends living in NYC’s Harlem community. The show looks at their lives as they try to become successful businesswomen while trying to maintain their friendships with each other.

It would be way too simplistic to say this show is the black version of Sex and the City. Indeed, this show is superior to that HBO classic in many ways as it has more realistic portrayals of the professional and romantic lives of these women.

Survivor’s Remorse (2014-2017)

• Creator: Mike O’Malley
• Main cast: Jessie T. Usher, RonReaco Lee, Erica Ash, Tichina Arnold, Teyonah Parris
• Genre: Sports drama
• Ratings: 7.1 – IMDB / 97% – Rotten Tomatoes

A young man with a talent for playing basketball has just signed a multi-million dollar contract to play the game for a professional team in Atlanta. He thinks his troubles are over, but he, his family, and his agent will soon discover that his issues are just beginning.

What do you get when you think you now have everything you want? That’s the theme of this sports-based series, which mixes a little comedy with its drama about a young man who has some big lessons to learn while he’s playing basketball.

Ready to watch? You can find the show right now on Starz.

Vida (2018-2020)

• Creator: Tanya Saracho
• Main cast: Melissa Barrera, Mishel Prada, Ser Anzoategui, Maria-Elena Laas, Carlos Miranda
• Ratings: 7.3 – IMDB / 100% – Rotten Tomatoes

This show centers on two Mexican-American sisters. They couldn’t be more different from each other, but the death of their mother forces them to reunite in their home community of East Los Angeles.

This is a very different and more progressive look at Latino life in America compared to other series. It also has some strong LGBTQ+ themes and representation, which again gives it some unique viewpoints.

Howard’s End (2017)

• Creator: Kenneth Lonergan
• Main cast: Matthew MacFadyen, Hayley Atwell, Philippa Coulthard, Alex Lawther, Joe Bannister
• Ratings: 7.2 – IMDB / 87% – Rotten Tomatoes

This is a new adaptation of E. M. Forster’s classic novel. In late 19th century England, sisters Margaret and Helen Schlegel try to help the relatively poor Bost family while also dealing with the members of the very rich and posh Wilcox family.

The class system in England is at the center of the novel and this latest TV show adaptation. It has some terrific performances from Matthew MacFadyen and Hayley Atwell, among others, along with some excellent production and costume design.

30 Best Period Dramas to Watch for an Escape

The only problem is that there are too many.

From elaborate costumes to sumptuous storylines (and the strong desire to live in a time other than the present)—there is so much to love about period dramas. With the push of a button, these TV series and movies act as instant portals into other eras. The only question is: Where do you want to time-travel first?

Some stories come from real-life events, while others are adapted from classic novels or are completely fictional glimpses into life during that particular era. And, fear not, there are quite a few sweeping romances . We've also included Spanish-language picks , since period dramas are hardly limited by geographic region. Here are some of our favorite period dramas streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Starz, and beyond.

Bridgerton (2020-present)

Based on Julia Quinn's historical romance novels , Bridgerton is Shonda Rhimes's first show for Netflix—and the dreamiest period piece on this list. Bridgerton 's creators admitted, while speaking to the press, that the Regency-era series wasn't fully historically accurate . Still, with its lush sets and intricate costumes, Bridgerton is definitely a portal to the past. In season 1, Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) brokers a deal with Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) to pretend to be engaged during courting season. Then they actually fall for each other. Season 2 picked up right where they left off, with Daphne's brother, Anthony, finding his true love. And lucky for hungry fans: Season 3 is underway and will focus on one of Daphne's younger brothers, Colin.

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Golda Rosheuvel

Downton Abbey (2010-2015)

Downton Abbey is the period piece that needs no introduction. Spanning from 1912 to 1926, the show captures the busy, bursting activity of Downton Abbey, the Crawley family's aristocratic house in the English countryside. The show pays equal attention to the "upstairs" and "downstairs" sets, a.k.a. the Crawley family and the people who keep their home running. After Downton aired its 52 episodes , the stars came back for not one but two feature films .

Starring: Huge Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith

Watch on Amazon prime

The Gilded Age (2022-present)

If you're a fan of Downton Abbey , this new release from the same creator, Julian Fellowes, will give you a new a crew to obsess over. The nine-episode first season takes place in 1880s New York City, where the "nouveau rich"—those with newly gained wealth—are fighting for status within the old-money families of Manhattan. When a bold young woman moves from rural Pennsylvania to live with her traditional aunts on East 61st Street, troubles naturally ensue. Good news for those wishing to sink their teeth into a new series: Season two has officially begun filming.

Starring: Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Audra McDonald, Louisa Jacobson, Carrie Coon

Watch on HBO max

The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)

Henry VIII is known as the king who had six wives—and in doing so, broke from the Catholic Church and altered the course of history. The Spanish Princess provides a radically different glimpse of the infamous monarch, seen through the eyes of his first wife: Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope), who originally was sent to England from Spain to marry his older brother, Arthur.

Starring: Alicia Borrachero, Laura Carmichael, Daniel Cerqueira

Watch on Amazon Watch on Starz watch on hulu

Sanditon (2019-present)

If Jane Austen movie adaptations are your idea of comfort binge-watching, then Sanditon , a sumptuous show based on Austen's final (and incomplete) novel, is for you. Sanditon takes place in a burgeoning seaside resort town, where lives converge—and one very swoonworthy romantic lead is born (looking at you, Theo James). Sanditon also is notable for featuring the only Black character in Austen's work: Georgiana Lambe is a West Indian heiress played by Crystal Clarke.

Starring: Rose Williams, Theo James, Kris Marshall

Watch on Amazon

The Great (2020-present)

The 18th century is a popular era for period pieces, but this Emmy-nominated dark-comedy series about Catherine the Great's rise to prominence in Russia diverges wildly from other stories evoking that time. It's got all the lavish costumes, palaces, and dinner parties you crave from a historical drama, sure, but, as the tagline clarifies, it's only a "mostly true story"—so it also provides hilarious oddities like a toad predicting when Catherine will give birth and a crocodile let loose in the palace. Plus, Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning's chemistry as Emperor Peter and Catherine is tough to stop watching.

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, Gwilym Lee

Watch on Hulu

Victoria (2016-2019)

Before Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria was the longest reigning British monarch. In this PBS series, Jenna Coleman plays Victoria from when she ascends the throne at just 18, to meeting her match in Prince Albert, to raising a family while simultaneously running the British Empire.

Starring: Jenna Coleman, Tom Hughes, Rufus Sewell

watch on amazon prime

Lovecraft Country (2020)

Chicago, 1955. Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) has returned from the Korean War and faces a homeland askew. Based on Matt Ruff's novel of the same name, Lovecraft Country is a prescient voyage through a U.S. where the dangers of racism are as pressing , if not more so, as the dangers of Lovecraftian monsters. Sadly, the series was canceled after just one season, but it's still a thrilling, spooky watch if you like your period pieces to come with a dash of sci-fi.

Starring: Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis

Watch on hbo max

Outlander (2014-present)

All period pieces are a form of time travel—bringing you back to another era. Outlander is set apart in that it features literal time travel: Claire Frasier (Caitriona Balfe) touches enchanted stones in Scotland and is transported back to the 18th century. So begins an adventure—and romance—that is unforgettable (and worth planning a trip to Scotland for ). Prepare an Outlander -themed feast to go along with your binge-watch. And get ready: Season 7 is on the way .

Starring: Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe, Sophie Skelton, Tobias Menzies, Richard Rankin

Watch on amazon Watch on starz watch on netflix

Dickinson (2019-2021)

Emily Dickinson is one of the most mysterious and widely discussed poets of all time—particularly because, as far as recorded history goes, she spent most of her life secluded in her bedroom—only for her nearly 1,800 brilliant poems to be discovered after she died. Hailee Steinfeld stars as Emily in this anachronistic series that follows Emily's relationship with her family, including her brother's wife, Susan, with whom the real Dickinson had a deep bond with, according to their letters. The three seasons strike a balance between absurdly funny and darkly moving. Oh, and Wiz Khalifa—yes, Wiz Khalifa—plays Death. Yes, Death.

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Jane Krakowski, Toby Huss

Watch on apple tv+

Harlots (2017-2019)

What did it take to be a financially independent woman in the 18th century? Watch Harlots , a show that explores the options available to women in the past, to find out. This witty show centers on a group of madams and sex workers, who find—in their work, catering to wealthy clients—a kind of freedom.

Starring: Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Liv Tyler, Alfie Allen

Watch on hulu

The Crown (2016-present)

Thanks to this sprawling Netflix show, the British royal family is rendered accessible. Slated to be six seasons , with the fifth premiering late 2022, the show follows the course of Queen Elizabeth II's life over several decades. The Crown casts a new light on historical events, and gives interiority to monarchs. The question is: Does Queen Elizabeth herself watch the show ? (We know for a fact that Lady O and Barack Obama do .)

Starring: Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham Carter, Tobias Menzies, Claire Foy, John Lithgow, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Gillian Anderson, Josh O'Connor, Emma Corrin

Watch on netflix

Belgravia (2020)

Looking for a manageable period binge-watch? Belgravia , a six-part show from the creator of Downton Abbey , is your best bet. The miniseries begins at a real-life ball, held on the eve of a pivotal battle, and unfolds during England's Victorian Era. Watch a clip here .

Starring: Tamsin Greig, Philip Glenister, Harriet Walter, Ella Purnell

Watch on amazon

Call the Midwife (2012-present)

As opposed to many period pieces, which focus on royalty or wealthy families, Call the Midwife is about the everyday heroes of midcentury Britain in London's East End: the nurses, midwives, and nuns who helped deliver babies. You'll cheer along during their victories and cry during the tragedies—we guarantee it.

Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Jenny Agutter, Laura Main, Helen George, Judy Parfitt, Jessica Raine

Watch on Netflix

Gentleman Jack (2019-2022)

Based on the real-life figure Anne Lister , who is hailed by contemporary historians as the first modern lesbian, this series is adapted from Lister's decades of diaries. (Fun side note: Lister wrote roughly five million words, some of which were recorded in a self-created code.) In Gentleman Jack , Lister begins courting a woman—something fairly unheard of in 1830s Yorkshire. Although canceled after just two seasons, the show still represents a marginalized slice of history that's important to tell.

Starring: Suranne Jones, Sophie Rundle, Gemma Whelan, Gemma Jones,

watch on hbo max

Poldark (2015-2019)

Some people watch Poldark for the history. Most people, though, watch Poldark for Captain Ross Poldark himself, a brooding hero played by Aidan Turner. Returning to England after fighting in the Revolutionary War, Poldark finds himself caught between worlds.

Starring: Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ellise Chappell

Watch on amazon prime

The Forsyte Saga (2002-2003)

Based on the Nobel Prize-winning work of John Galsworthy, this 10-part series follows England's wealthy Forsyte family from the 1870s to the 1920s. It's a highbrow show with soap-opera-worthy plots.

Starring: Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves, Gina McKee

Cable Girls (2017-2020)

In 1920s Spain, four women are on the vanguard of the workforce: Working for Spain's brand-new telephone service. Cable Girls is a gripping drama with many a cliffhanger, and it's also a fascinating picture of women and economic mobility over the ages.

Starring: Blanca Suárez, Yon González, Ana Fernández, Nadia de Santiago

North and South (2004)

The four-part 19th-century BBC drama North and South came out nearly 20 years ago, and its story of love between classes continues to echo in other period pieces today. Watch for the legendary kiss (dubbed "The Kiss" by fans), considered one of TV's most swoon-worthy scenes.

Starring: Daniela Denby-Ashe, Richard Armitage, Sinead Crusack

Watch on amazon watch on britbox

Elizabeth (1998)

After watching The Crown , which explores the reign of Queen Elizabeth II , head back to the first Queen Elizabeth with this riveting movie. Cate Blanchett plays the monarch at the tumultuous early years of her reign, as she's trying to hold onto power amid a succession crisis.

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Richard Attenborough

Watch on amazon watch on hulu watch on starz

Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily. 

Cassie Hurwitz (she/her) is an associate editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers everything from culture to entertainment to lifestyle. She can typically be found in the middle of multiple books and TV shows all at once. Previously, Cassie worked at Parents , Rachael Ray In Season , and Reveal. Her love language is pizza (New York slices, Chicago deep dish, and otherwise). 

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Time Travel Shows 101: The Rules Behind ‘Timeless,’ ‘Outlander,’ ‘Doctor Who,’ and More

Is this a blast from the past, or are we going back to the future?

Time traveling is all the rage these days on television, with at least seven shows currently available to watch or stream, including new series Making History and Time After Time . The time travelers include adventurers looking to have a little fun, operatives hoping to save humanity, and superheroes battling the forces of evil.

Not sure which one’s your speed? Play our “plan your TV time travel adventure” game to see which show you should check out.

All time travel shows have their own rules, and it can be hard to keep track of who goes when, how it works, and what can take place in the past/future.

Here’s a quick guide to the time travel rules on seven series:

Outlander (Starz)

Who and when? Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a nurse from 1946, is transported via the Craigh na Dun standing stones to 1743 Scotland. She later learns another woman, Geillis Duncan, had time traveled, as well.

Related: Watch the Stars of ‘Outlander’ Bid Farewell to Scotland

How does it work? Magic! Seriously, the show relies on a sense of mysticism around the stones, where druids once held rituals. Neither era that Claire lives in brings up science.

The rules: Claire attempts to change a major event, the Battle of Culloden, which sees the slaughter of thousands of Scots, but she fails. In addition, the time traveling in Outlander appears to be a loop — if Claire had not been in the 18th century and intervened in the life of Mary Hawkins, her 20th century husband, Frank, would never have been born.

Travelers (Netflix)

Who and when? Hundreds of years in the bleak future, a team of operatives project their consciousness into the bodies of 21st century hosts. Their mission is to stop critical events (like an antimatter explosion) to improve humanity’s chances for survival.

How does it work? Science and technology is clearly light years ahead of ours in this distant future, but we don’t see that future.

The rules: The operatives download into hosts who are about to die. They then assume their identities and act like their hosts — going to their jobs, spending time with their families, etc. The team is capable of changing past events, but sometimes, those changes trigger other, negative repercussions.

Time After Time (ABC)

Who and when? H.G. Wells (Freddie Stroma) discovers his best friend is Jack the Ripper (Josh Bowman), who then steals his time machine to travel to 2017, where he continues his killing spree. Wells pursues him through time to prevent the deaths.

How does it work? The workings of the time machine aren’t spelled out in detail, but the traveler can input a date. “It will automatically return, unless you have the key, which means you are in control and it will stay in the time that you are currently in,” star Freddie Stroma told Yahoo TV.

Related: ‘Time After Time’ Star Freddie Stroma Previews His Time Traveling Pursuit of Jack the Ripper

The rules: The machine can go into the past and future, and travelers can alter events. But Stroma said, “We can’t go back too closely to the same point of time where we traveled too often. As [Wells] describes it, it pricks a hole in the fabric of time. If you do it too many times, you risk tearing a hole in time, and God knows what would happen — possibly the end of existence.”

Making History (Fox)

Who and when? Computer science professor Dan (Adam Pally) journeys to the Colonial era to woo Deborah Revere (Leighton Meester). After he messes up the American Revolution, he calls in a history professor friend (Yassir Lester) to help.

Related: ‘Making History’ Stars Reveal Their Most Desired Time Traveling Destinations

How does it work? Dan gets into an oversized duffel bag and punches numbers into a machine, and voila! The science behind it is not explained.

The rules: As this is a comedy, rules aren’t particularly important. Dan can change history (like preventing the Revolution from starting), and then change it back. Other alterations, like introducing modern songs and references before their time, don’t seem to have any effect.

Timeless (NBC)

Who and when? History professor Lucy (Abigail Spencer), soldier Wyatt (Matt Lanter), and programmer Rufus (Malcolm Barrett) team up to pursue Garcia Flynn (Goran Visnjic), who steals a time machine with the intent of changing major events in history.

How does it work? In the show, Mason Industries had already created a prototype (which the team uses) and was working on the final version (which Flynn steals). Co-creator Eric Kripke noted they had vetted their ideas with a physicist. “There’s a thing called a closed time curve, that we’re basing a lot of our science on,” he explained. “If you theoretically have enough gravitational pull, you can actually bend the fabric of space and time.”

Related: ‘Timeless’ Fashion Trip: Costume Designer Mari-An Ceo on the Show’s Time-Traveling Looks

The rules: As co-creator Shawn Ryan told Yahoo TV when the show premiered, “ Our big one is that you can’t go back to any time period where you existed — either existed in your normal life, or for instance our characters go back to the day the Hindenburg exploded. That’s a day they couldn’t go back to again.” History can be changed, which we see when the team returns to the present day — the Hindenburg disaster played out differently. And characters can be changed, as well — as we see when Lucy’s sister no longer exists.

Legends of Tomorrow (The CW)

Who and when? A team of misfit superheroes travel to different periods — the Wild West, the Cold War, 1920s Chicago — to fix aberrations in history.

How does it work? They’re superheroes (and villains) with special powers. And they’ve got the Waverider, a time traveling ship.

The rules: Like in Timeless , the Legends can’t go back to the same moment in time, nor any moment they’re involved in. For instance, if one of them was to be killed, they can’t go back to warn themselves.

Doctor Who (BBC America)

Who and when? The alien Time Lord who goes by the name “The Doctor” travels, usually with a companion, through time and space to engage in (mostly) fictional events in (many) fictional places.

How does it work? The now seeming-extinct ancient race of extraterrestrials had a non-linear sense of time and developed time traveling technology, known as the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space).

Related: ‘Doctor Who’: Why It’s So Hard to Cast the 13th Doctor, Plus Who Wants to See Inside the TARDIS Next

The rules: There are no redos in Doctor Who — a Time Lord cannot go back and undo his actions. Crossing your own timeline causes major temporal problems. Additionally, there are fixed points in time that cannot be altered. However, the rules of Doctor Who tend to be more like guidelines and can be bent or even broken.

Read More: Review: ‘FEUD: Bette and Joan’ Cleverly Tackles Sexism and Ageism ‘Planet Earth II’ Producers Preview ‘Jungles’

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