The 1990s, a decade of boy bands and blockbuster movies, left an indelible mark on history and pop culture. For those who came of age during the iconic and magical era, its definition often includes terms like optimism and opportunity because the 1990s were when new technologies were given birth, and individuals were led to believe that they could do anything and be anyone.
The time was so ripe with possibilities that even program creators in the 2010s looked back fondly on it, with their intelligent eyes scanning for true stories that unfolded during those memorable years and shaped headlines. From real-life mysteries to scandals, the 1990s had several cultural moments to define itself as historical and nostalgic.
Even twenty years later, the significant events and fascinating figures that transformed the decade are compelling enough for writers and producers to benefit from. We have combined a list of 10 TV shows that offer modern audiences a glimpse into the ’90s like never before, telling stories of intrigue and style, economy, and endurance, all with the aim of shedding light on instances that made the decade what it is.
10 Selena: The Series (2020 – 2021)
A captivating biographical drama released by Netflix in 2020, Selena: The Series chronicles the life and tragic demise of the iconic Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla Pérez. Selena became a pop sensation at a young age; her humble beginnings in a close-knit Mexican family anchored her rise to fame in the American music industry. Even though male artists dominated the 1990s, she had sold-out arena shows and a passion for music like no other.
Selena: The Series Does Justice to the Singer
The series, developed by members of her family, chronicles her legendary journey, the life of glamor, and the betrayal she received at the hands of a friend and former producer. Christian Serratos disappears into the role of Selena and transforms her into more than just an icon people look up to. Along with many supporting players who embody the artist’s family and band, Selena: The Series does justice to her enduring appeal as the Queen of Tejano music.
9 Manhunt: Unabomber (2017 – 2020)
Spanning decades, Manhunt: Unabomber is a tightly-paced drama that chronicles the cat-and-mouse game between mathematician-turned-domestic-terrorist Ted Kaczynski and the FBI agents who worked tirelessly to capture him. The former was on a deadly bombing spree from 1978 to 1995, following which he made a calculated approach toward the FBI, claiming he would stop bombing cities if The New York Times would publish his manifesto and share his radical ideologies with the world.
Paul Bettany Is Great With an Accurate Unabomber Portrayal
While some find the story too sympathetic and exaggerated, most agree that the series sheds light on how disturbed minds often spread terror. The performances of Paul Bettany, who plays the Unabomber with outstanding precision, and Sam Worthington, the FBI profiler who finally captures him, are worth praising. Overall, Manhunt: Unabomber is a true crime saga worth watching.
8 The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018)
Winner of seven Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Critics’ Choice Awards, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is the second season of American Crime Story, and it spans multiple timelines as the events leading up to designer Gianni Versace’s murder unravel at a slick pace. Shot in open daylight outside his Miami Beach Mansion in 1997, Versace was 27-year-old Andrew Cunanan’s fifth victim in the span of just a few months.
24 TV Crime Series Based on a True Story
As depictions stay true to facts yet fictionalize to fill narrative gaps, these shows walk an artistic and ethical tightrope, adding to the intrigue.
The nine-episode limited series is as chilling as it is mesmerizing, with the episodes going in flashbacks to reveal Cunanan’s troubled childhood as well as Versace’s dignified lifestyle as a celebrated designer. The series also brings overdue attention to hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Its elegant visuals, quiet examination of trauma, and exploration of fame and identity make it a genuinely moving piece in the history of television.
7 City on a Hill (2019 – 2022)
Set in Boston, City on a Hill is a gritty crime drama about a former FBI veteran whose corrupt and cunning past stained his reputation. He forms an unlikely alliance with assistant DA Decourcy Ward during the early 1990s, when their city was bursting at the seams with violence and mayhem. Their determination to take down a family of armored car robbers is what flips Boston’s criminal justice system – for better or worse.
City on a Hill Is Loosely Based on Infamous Events and People in Boston’s History
Led by Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge, who plays the FBI agent and the attorney, respectively, City on a Hill is a vivid exploration of a city’s legacy of crime and injustice, where the police often do more harm than good. With Matt Damon and Ben Affleck helming the production for Charlie MacLean’s story, this three-season drama also features a funky hip-hop soundtrack, nails the diversity of urban Boston, and fashions a rich and engrossing environment for viewers to lose themselves in.
6 Waco (2018)
Waco is a six-part miniseries that premiered on Paramount Network in 2018. Its fact-based story immerses the viewers directly into the 1993 Waco siege when the FBI and the ATF raided a compound outside of Waco, Texas. The compound was occupied by Branch Davidians, a religious group that was labeled a cult formed under the leadership of David Koresh.
Waco Focuses on Both Sides of the True Story
The series not only triumphs in humanizing both sides at a time when tensions run high in the country but also leaves room for the viewers to decide if it was a reflection on power abuse or simply a dramatic and sympathetic retelling of events. Taylor Kitsch and Melissa Benoist are incredible as the headliners. Plus, the eerie atmosphere and the skillful direction add layers to the thought-provoking central theme and pose questions about religious freedom.
5 Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders (2017)
Also a part of the overall Law & Order franchise, this tense anthology series chronicles the real-life events that took place in the lives of Lyle and Erik Menendez. The boys were 21 and 18, respectively, in 1989 when their parents were murdered in their home in Beverly Hills. Detained at the time, the sons were on trial for seven years for their double homicide. In 1996, they were found guilty and imprisoned.
Edie Falco’s Standout Performance as Leslie Abramson
Methodically unfolding across eight episodes, Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders unfolds at a steady pace to depict the dysfunction within the wealthy family and the dynamics that led Lyle and Erik to seek their money by any means necessary. Many critics appreciated Edie Falco’s performance as Leslie Abramson, the defense attorney who represented Lyle and Erik throughout the years, and drama for its revelations around privilege and toxicity.
4 Landscapers (2021)
Another brilliant miniseries based on a true crime, Landscapers is written by Ed Sinclair and directed by Will Sharpe. It stars Olivia Colman and David Thewlis as a mild-mannered British couple. Back in 1998, they shot Susan’s parents, Patricia and William Wycherley, and buried the corpses in their garden. Pretending to live like nothing had happened and continuing to score money and sustain Susan’s obsession with Old Hollywood. Nearly a decade later, Christopher confessed their crimes, and the couple were sentenced to prison.
Flashbacks Uncover What Really Happened in 1998
The haunting four-part miniseries plays out gradually in the form of flashbacks that uncover what really happened in the countryside mansion and what extraordinary measures were taken to conceal the crime. Colman deserves all the praise for disappearing into the heinous role of Susan, her reality and obsession with collecting memorabilia playing out like a dream. According to critics, Landscapers dramatizes “an already unbelievable true story” with such precision because of Colman and Thewlis.
3 Pam & Tommy (2022)
They shared a whirlwind romance and stayed in the tabloids for quite some time during the 1990s. The actress and model Pamela Anderson met Tommy Lee, a drummer for a heavy metal band called Mötley Crüe, on New Year’s Eve and thus began their story. Created for Hulu by Robert Siegel, Pam & Tommy dives into the true story behind the first ever viral video in history, which was Pamela and Tommy’s infamous honeymoon tape.
Why Audiences Can’t Stop Binging Recent Docudramas
Everyone loves a good story, but what if that story were true? What’s the reason behind the rise of docudramas in today’s streaming world?
Lily James and Sebastian Stan Bring Their Roles to Life
Lily James and Sebastian Stan completely vanish into the roles of the iconic ‘90s couple for the series. They relay the romance and marriage while also tracing the inconsistencies in their relationship. But more than anything, the eight-episode series focuses on the theft and illegal distribution of tapes and how quickly privacy was eroding in the digital age. The lavish scenes and the razzle-dazzle of ‘90s Los Angeles that take you back in time may seem entertaining, but the underlying story is quite heartbreaking.
2 Derry Girls (2018 – 2022)
Derry Girls
- Release Date
- December 21, 2018
- Cast
- Saoirse-Monica Jackson , Louisa Harland , Tara Lynne O’Neill , Kathy Kiera Clarke , Tommy Tiernan
Among the most underrated coming-of-age shows of all time is Derry Girls. A charming and nostalgic trip down memory lane, this 1990s-set Irish comedy is one of the best of recent years, following the misadventures of five teenagers – Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and her English cousin James – as they grow up while attending a fictional Catholic secondary school called Our Lady Immaculate College. Their formative years see the girls experience their first crushes and go to concerts against the backdrop of The Troubles.
The Historical Background Is Accurate
Light, refreshing, and funny, Derry Girls never once overlooks its historical backdrop when the three-decade-long violent conflict between the loyalists and republicans was gravely affecting citizens. The performances given by the young cast feel completely authentic, as do their slang-filled dialogue and period references. The final season of Derry Girls handles its reality check by reflecting on The Good Friday agreement and how people managed to cope through it all with joy and laughter.
1 When They See Us (2019)
When They See Us is a gut-wrenching four-part miniseries directed and co-written by Ava DuVernay. It brings to life the notorious Central Park jogger case through emotional performances that pierce through our hearts. After a jogger was assaulted in New York City’s Central Park, five teenagers were charged with the crime and sentenced to prison for 12 years. They continued to plead innocence until they were exonerated in 2012.
A Masterpiece of a Miniseries
Despite the event occurring in April 1989, their decades-long fight for justice reached the court for the first trial in June 1990, where none of the jury members cross-examined the falsely accused teens. DuVernay’s series shines a much-needed light on racial biases and the broken justice system while also depicting the psychological impacts of this event on the kids and their families. Jharrel Jerome, Asante Blackk, and others honor their lives with sincerity and turn this miniseries into a masterpiece.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
