From modern war epics likeBand of BrothersandThe Pacificto historical dramas likeRomeandShōgun, the highlights of war television make up some of the finest series the medium has ever seen. Naturally, however, for every major hit series that has gone on to be a soaring success as well as a critical triumph, there have been plenty ofseries that delve into the heart of combat that have never received the plaudits they so thoroughly deserve.
Some of these underrated war series offer intricate detail in the daily life of a soldier, excelling with their nuance and precision as they dramatize real-life events. Others bring tremendous scope and gravitas to the conflicts they explore, delivering a viewing experience of supreme entertainment and grounded war intrigue. All of them stand among the most underappreciated and finest war series ever made.
10’All the Light We Cannot See' (2023)
Developed by Steven Knight
Based onAnthony Doerr’s war novel of the same name,All the Light We Cannot Seeis a profoundly humane tale that explores the experiences of young people in the war-torn hell of WWII Europe. It follows Marie-Laure (Aria Mia Loberti), a blind French teenager, and Werner (Louis Hofmann), a boy recruited to the German army where he becomes a specialist in detecting radio frequencies. As the war goes on, the two youths cross paths in their desperate efforts to survive the horrors around them.
The miniseries was mercilessly derided by critics, a factor that undeniably played a part in the Netflix release being so underseen, but general audiences were more welcoming ofits story of humanity and heart amid one of the greatest atrocities mankind has ever seen. It is sometimes too safe and, as a result, makes a habit of stumbling into clichés, butAll the Light We Cannot Seeremains a poignant and powerful war drama that should have been seen by more people.
All The Light We Cannot See
9’The White Queen' (2013)
Directed by James Kent, Jamie Payne, and Colin Teague
A historical epic that serves as a deliciously enticing dramatization of the War of the Roses,The White Queenmatches its true story basis with a wicked intrigue to be an engaging dose of television drama. It takes a particular interest in three of the women involved in the conflict, covering their conniving power plays and political scheming as each of them hopes to secure their preferred candidate as the rightful king of England.
With its appetite for violence and sex clearly influenced by the soaring popularity ofGame of Thrones,The White Queenis a gleefully saucy romp that,while straying into soap opera areas on occasion, is largely a delightful spin on one of history’s most important conflicts. With the series as a whole condensing 30 years of war into a lean 10-episode run, it sometimes leaves a little to be desired in terms of historical accuracy, the BBC miniseries is still a vibrant and entertaining historical war drama. It also happens to beRebecca Ferguson’s first major breakthroughinto Western cinema.
The White Queen
8’Home Fires' (2015–2016)
Created by Simon Block
Running for 12episodes across two seasonsbefore being canceled, much to the dismay of its fan base,Home Firesis a brilliant exploration of life for civilians during times of war who must wait anxiously for news of their family members on the front lines. Based on “Jambusters” byJulie Summers, it follows six women in the English county of Cheshire as they lean on each other for support as they deal with the trauma of being away from their loved ones.
While it exists in a rather glum area of emotional rawness and perpetual dread and angst,Home Firesis able to strike a certain buoyancy through its nuanced writing and its array of outstanding performances. Despite being prematurely axed after just two seasons, the story of its characters has continued in the form of a novel series that was originally released as four ebooks before being published as a complete novelization in 2018.
Home Fires
7’Hitler: The Rise of Evil' (2003)
Directed by Christian Duguay
A three-hour exploration into the rise of one of the most infamous men in human history,Hitler: The Rise of Evilwas released as a Canadian miniseries that aired in two parts. CoveringAdolf Hitler’s (Robert Carlyle) life from fighting on the front lines during WWI to his return to Munich as a revolutionary, his incarceration, and his creation of the German Workers’ Party—later renamed the Nazi Party—which rises in prominence through the 20s and 30s.
The miniseries goes to strenuous lengths todepict Hitler’s political rise, and why such a vicious ideology was able to gain traction, with both historical accuracy and tasteful intrigue. Complemented by a litany of strong performances, including Carlyle’s magnetic central portrayal of Hitler,Hitler: The Rise of Evilis an insightful and balanced depiction of the events leading up to the most devastating conflict in human history.
Hitler: The Rise of Evil
6’Shaka Zulu' (1986)
Created by Ed Harper
Anunderrated gem of 1980s televisionas well as an intriguing exploration into the history of one of the most renowned fighting forces in African history,Shaka Zuluis an enticing war series and one of the best small-screen triumphs to come from South Africa. Its non-linear narrative explores the rise of the Zulu nation under the rule ofShaka(Henry Cele) from 1816 to 1828. It also covers the wars Shaka oversaw, the rapid expansion of the Zulu territory under his reign, and the experiences of British traders who interacted with him.
While it was met with a mixed response in South Africa at the time,Shaka Zuluproved to be both a critical and commercial success internationally, particularly in America whereits dramatic story, powerful performances, and handling of violence struck a chord with viewers. Sadly, it hasn’t proven to be an enduring hit, with its popularity dwindling over the years to the point where it is now a largely forgotten gem of historical war drama.
Shaka Zulu
5’Napoléon' (2002)
Created by Didier Decoin, Max Gallo, and Yves Simoneau
Napoleon Bonaparteis one of the most renowned and universally recognized military leaders in human history. A masterful tactician whose life and career contained almighty triumphs, controversy aplenty, and a calamitous downfall, his story is one that belongs on the screen. While theRidley Scottbiopic starringJoaquin Phoenixis widely regarded to be a dull and misguided misfire in this regard, theunderappreciated French miniseriesNapoléonis a true triumph of small-screen entertainment.
Opening on Bonaparte’s (Christian Clavier) exile on Saint Helena in 1818, the series explores his feats on the battlefield and his rampant rise in French politics over the course of the 22 years prior through flashbacks as he recollects his experiences to a young English girl on the island with him. While there are some pitfalls that come with condensing such a mighty scope to just four episodes of television,Napoléonstill thrives as an engaging and enlightening analysis of one of the most notorious men in European history.
4’SAS: Rogue Heroes' (2022–2025)
Created by Steven Knight
Also known asRogue Heroesin America,SAS: Rogue Heroesis a deftly balanced war seriesthat excels at both admiring its heroes with a slick sense of style while also questioning the purpose of war. Coming from the creator ofPeaky Blinders, it followsLieutenant David Stirling(Connor Swindells) as he creates a special commando unit capable of conducting high-risk operations deep behind enemy lines. While Season 1 focuses on the unit’s work in Northern Africa, 2025’s Season 2 explores their operations in the European theatre of WWII.
With an impressive ensemble cast and a healthy appetite for action fun alongside its inherent war drama,SAS: Rogue Heroesis a uniquely compelling series that is among the most underrated series in recent years. Among its most impressive feats is how, beneath its richly engaging veneer of rock music and stylized filmmaking, itflourishes as a considered and deeply affecting portrait of war and the sacrifices made by soldiers in any conflict.
SAS: Rogue Heroes
3’Our World War' (2014)
Directed by Bruce Goodison and Ben Chanan
Something of an anthology miniseries that uses each of its three episodes to examine different battles of WWI and the impact the horrific experiences had on the people involved,Our World Waris an overlooked masterpiece of war drama from Britain that thrives with its basis on first-hand accounts of the events it depicts. The first episode follows the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers just two weeks into the war as they are met with heavy German resistance. Episode two covers the Battle of the Somme, while Episode 3—set four years into the war—follows a young soldier as he joins the crew of a tank ahead of the Battle of Amiens.
While the decision to support the visuals with a modern soundtrack drew mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike,Our World Waris universally heralded as a technical triumph that makes bold and brilliant creative choicesto realize the horrors of war in a manner that is unique and powerful. It is one of the most underappreciated miniseries of the 2010s and a hidden gem that defines British television drama at its very best.
Our World War
2’Generation War' (2013)
Directed by Phillipp Kadelbach
A divine epic that examines the intersection of bonds of friendship and allegiances in war,Generation Warisa stunning three-part war miniseries from Germanythat wields an astonishing storytelling might. It opens on five friends—including two soldiers, a nurse, a barmaid with aspirations of being a singer, and a Jew cautious of the changing political landscape—drinking together in Berlin on the eve of Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union. Their promise to reunite the following Christmas is obliterated as each of them face their own perils amid the destructive devastation of WWII.
The series is careful and considered in its exploration of the allure of Nazism in Germany, but it truly thrives asa profound tale of friendship and desperation set against the astoundingly realized backdrop of the Second World War. Its focus on individuals within totalitarian regimes is made all the more punishing thanks to its brutal depiction of the atrocities of war.
1’Generation Kill' (2008)
Created by David Simon, Ed Burns, and Evan Wright
From the creator ofThe Wireand based on the non-fiction book of the same name by The Rolling Stone reporterEvan Wrightwho worked as an embedded reporter with the actual squad the series depicts,Generation Killis an exceptional insight into the logistical headaches and combat experience of modern war. It follows the U.S. Marine Crops’ 1st Reconnaissance Battalion through their assignments during the early stages of the Invasion of Iraq.
A palpable—and occasionally disturbing—air of unbridled authenticity permeates throughout the miniseries. The soldiers themselves are realized in exceptional depth, from the squad’s leaders to some of the more dangerous and incompetent members of the unit, and the issues they routinely face besmirch the bureaucracy and disorder of the chain of command. It is fascinating, confronting, illuminating, and even funny on occasion. It also stands as the most underrated war series of all time, as well as one of the best examples of the genre the small screen has ever seen.
