The Great
A far cry from the stuffy costume dramas we're used to seeing, The Great comes from the mind of Tony McNamara, Oscar-nominated writer of The Favourite. If you've seen that film, you'll know to expect The Great to be a cheeky take on the story of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. Elle Fanning gives a career-best performance as Catherine, while Nicholas Hoult also impresses as her Emperor husband, Peter III.
Seasons on Stan: 2
The Tudors
Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point), Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) and Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones), The Tudors is a lavishly-produced drama that tells of the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII. You might be thinking "oh great, another costume drama", but The Tudors is far from your average period piece. Expect a story filled with sex, obsession, betrayal and political intrigue.
Seasons on Stan: 4
The White Queen
Set during one of the most turbulent times in England's history, The White Queen follows three relentless women as they vie for the throne. To do this, they will scheme, manipulate and seduce anyone who will help them get to the top. With exquisite period detail and terrific performances (Rebecca Ferguson of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is exceptional as Queen Elizabeth), The White Queen is a must-watch for those interested in 15th Century England.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Spartacus
Before he was the showrunner for Marvel's Daredevil, Steven DeKnight worked on the gratuitously violent and sexual series Spartacus. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there's nothing more to the show than meat-headed beefcakes fighting and screwing in a 300-aping manner, but there's so much more going on – we follow Spartacus (the late Andy Whitfield and his replacement, Liam McIntyre) as he is taken into slavery and forced to do cruel and unimaginable things in the gladiatorial arena, just waiting for the day that he can finally get his revenge on slave-owners Batiatus (John Hannah) and Lucretia (Lucy Lawless). All of this culminates in one of the most satisfying season finales in recent memory. Be warned – this show is filled with grotesque violence and an immense amount of sex and nudity. It's like Game of Thrones times ten.
Series on Stan: 4
Deadwood
HBO's western series Deadwood was devastatingly cancelled before its time, but thankfully we can relive the show's harsh and brutal world on Stan in its entirety. Ex-lawman Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant, clearly loving his status as a modern day western hero) arrives in the lawless town of Deadwood to start a hardware business and provide for his dead brother's family. Before long, the crime and corruption of this town, headed by bar owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), forces Bullock back into the life he tried so desperately to leave behind. Deadwood is an utterly fantastic show.
Seasons on Stan: 3
