5 TV Shows based on real life events you must watch

April marks the 33rd anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. Last year, HBO’s show reignited the public imagination of the incident. With many of us self-isolating here are five other shows based on real life, you must watch, and where to watch them.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO, 2000-present)

Larry David plays a fictionalised version of himself

Seinfeld creator Larry David plays a fictionalised version of himself in this comedy. The show has plenty of big cameos.David gets himself into some rather awkward situations, due to his steadfast belief in his own morals.

AVAILABLE ON: NOW TV

Fresh Off The Boat (ABC, 2015–2020)

Fresh Off The Boat ran for six seasons

The hilarious comedy is based on the life of celebrity chef Eddie Huang (Hudson Yang). It tells the story of a Taiwanese-American family living in 1990s Orlando. The series shows the family trying to run a steakhouse and integrate into their community.

AVAILABLE ON: Prime Video

The People v OJ Simpson (FX, 2016)

OJ Simpson

Season One of American Crime Story does exactly what it says on the tin, showing the murder trial of American footballer OJ Simpson (Cuba Gooding Junior). Over ten episodes, delve deep into the minds of the defendant, prosecution and defence in the trial that gripped the US.

AVAILABLE ON: Netflix

The Crown (Netflix, 2016-present)

Claire Foy played The Queen in the first two seasons of The Crown

The web series on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (initially Claire Foy, then Olivia Colman) is three seasons in. The show expertly shows Her Majesty’s dilemmas as she tries to juggle being a mother and wife whilst being the apolitical head of state of the United Kingdom.

AVAILABLE ON: Netflix

The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC, 2019–2020)

Christine Keeler on the After Dark talk show

The young Christine (Sophie Cookson) has her life suddenly turned upside down when news of her affairs with cabinet member John Profumo (Ben Miles) and Soviet naval attache Eugene Ivanov (Visar Vishka) hit the headlines. Having been accused of prostitution, she later finds herself on trial for perjury.

AVAILABLE ON: BBC iPlayer

This is an adapted version of an article written for the print edition of Yoots. A journalism project for City, University of London’s Advanced Practical Journalism: Online/print module.