War TV showshave been a staple of small-screen entertainment for decades, spanning almost every imaginable conflict. From ancient clashes to the Revolutionary and Civil War, the battlefields of WW1 and WW2, and modern-day military engagements, the genre has explored both sweeping military strategy and intimate human drama.
The genre’s biggest successes are impossible to ignore -Band of BrothersandThe Pacificare practically cultural landmarks, while newer hits likeSpecial Ops: LionessandSEAL Teamcontinue to dominate the conversation. However, that dominance means some incredible shows, equally deserving of attention, end up flying under the radar for years.
There aremany war TV showsthat are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. They may not have dominated ratings, but they offer powerful, unique, and deeply human perspectives on conflict. Covering a wide variety of time periods and battlefronts, these underrated war TV shows are essential viewing for any serious fan of the genre.
10Six (2017-2018)
A Gritty And Authentic Look At Navy SEAL Operations
History’sSixis a taut military drama following Navy SEAL Team Six, with a castled by Walton Gogginsas Richard “Rip” Taggart. Blending real-world military authenticity with gripping fictional storylines, the show dives into the camaraderie and strain that comes with elite special operations work.
The show doesn’t glamorize warfare. It balances tense combat scenes with quieter moments of family and personal struggle, showing how missions abroad reverberate at home. This dual focus elevates it beyond a standard action series, giving emotional depth to its battle-hardened characters.
While it only lasted two seasons,Six’scommitment to military realismand complex character arcs makes it one of the most compelling - and criminally underseen - portrayals of modern warfare on television. Fans of high-stakes tactical drama should consider it essential viewing.
9Gallipoli (2015)
A Harrowing Account Of A Ww1 Campaign From The Australian Perspective
This Australian miniseries dramatizes the Gallipolicampaign of WW1through the eyes of young soldier Tolly Johnson (Kodi Smit-McPhee). With an unflinching portrayal of trench warfare,Gallipolicaptures both the heroism and the futility of the infamous military disaster.
What setsGallipoliapart is its focus on the ANZAC soldiers’ personal experiences - moments of camaraderie, fear, and disillusionment that transcend national history lessons. Its depiction of the harsh conditions and logistical failures gives it a raw, documentary-like edge.
For those who only know Gallipoli through brief textbook entries or thehandful of WWI moviesthat cover the campaign, this miniseries provides a richly detailed, emotional perspective that’s as much about the human cost as it is about military strategy.
8Bluestone 42 (2013-2015)
A Darkly Funny Take On Modern Warfare In Afghanistan
Mixing humor with high-stakes danger,the satirical UK sitcomBluestone 42follows a British bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan. Oliver Chris plays Captain Nick Medhurst, leading a team that faces the constant threat of IEDs while finding ways to keep their sanity intact.
The series stands out for its sharp writing and willingness to tackle the absurdities of war without undermining its seriousness. The humor isn’t used to trivialize the dangers - rather, it underscores how soldiers use levity as a survival tool in life-or-death situations.
While its comedic tone makes it unusual among war TV dramas,Bluestone 42offers a refreshingly human and relatable perspective on the realities of active deployment (and is certain toappeal to fans ofM.A.S.H.specifically). It’s proof that war stories can be both funny and deeply affecting.
7Foyle’s War (2002-2015)
A Detective Drama Seamlessly Intertwined With WW2 History
Created byAlex Riderauthor Anthony Horowitz,Foyle’s Warblends crime procedural with wartime drama. Michael Kitchen stars as Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle, solving cases on England’s home front during WW2.
The show’s brilliance lies in how it uses murder investigations to explore broader wartime issues: espionage, black market dealings, and the moral compromises people make in desperate times. It’s as much about the war’s social impact as it is about the crimes themselves.
While it ran for over a decade,Foyle’s Warnever quite became amainstream hit outside the UK. Yet its mix of meticulous historical detail and compelling storytelling makes it one of the most unique and rewarding entries in the war TV show canon.
6No Man’s Land (2020-2025)
A Tense Thriller Set Amid The Syrian Civil War
No Man’s Landfollows Antoine (Félix Moati), a Frenchman searching for his sister in war-torn Syria, only to become entangled with Kurdish female fighters battling ISIS.This multilingual seriesblends espionage, personal drama, and frontline combat.
There are several reasonsNo Man’s Landstands out. It’s rare focus on the Kurdish Women’s Protection Units sheds light on a facet of modern warfare rarely explored on TV, and makes for incredibly nailbiting (and, at times, difficult) viewing. It’s as much about cultural resilience and personal sacrifice as it is about the military conflict itself.
With gripping performances and a suspense-driven plot,No Man’s Landcaptures the chaos and moral complexity of 21st-century conflict in a way fewother war TV showsdare to attempt.
5Turn: Washington’s Spies (2014-2017)
A Revolutionary War Drama Centered On Espionage
AMC’sTurntells the story of America’s first spy ring, the Culper Ring, during the Revolutionary War.Jamie Bell stars asAbe Woodhull, a farmer drawn into the world of espionage to aid the fight against the British.
Turnthrives on political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and the personal toll of spycraft during wartime. It’s not about large-scale battles, but about the subtler - and equally dangerous - work that helped shape the outcome of the war.
By focusing on the lesser-known intelligence war of the 18th century,Turnoffers a fresh angle on one ofhistory’s most studied conflicts, making it a must-watch for fans seeking something beyond the typical battlefield epic.
4A Small Light (2023)
A Powerful Retelling Of The Anne Frank Story From A New Perspective
2023’sA Small Lightshifts the focus ofthe Anne Frank storyto Miep Gies (Bel Powley), the woman who helped hide the Frank family from the Nazis. Set in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, it’s a human-centered look at courage in the face of overwhelming danger.
What makes this WW2 series remarkable is its exploration of everyday heroism. It portrays Miep not as an untouchable historical figure, but as an ordinary person making extraordinary choices under unimaginable pressure.
While technically not a frontline drama,A Small Lightis awar story in its own right, showing the quiet but equally vital battles fought far from the trenches. Its emotional power and historical authenticity make it one of the most important recent additions to the genre.
3World On Fire (2019-2023)
A Sweeping Ensemble Drama Capturing The Human Cost Of WW2
Set across multiple countries,World On Firefollows a diverse group of characters - including soldiers, nurses, and civilians - as WW2 reshapes their lives.Stars like Sean Bean, Jonah Hauer-King and Helen Hunt anchor the sprawling narrative, which is as much driven by the humanity of its characters as it is by the global conflict of the era.
World On Fireexcels in showing how the war impacted ordinary people in different nations, from the UK to Poland to France. Its shifting perspectives and interconnected stories give it an epic scope while retaining intimate emotional stakes.
With its blend of large-scale drama and personal storytelling,World On Fireis a reminder that thewar genre’s greatest powerlies in humanizing history - making the vastness of global conflict feel deeply personal.
2Our Girl (2013-2020)
A Heartfelt Military Drama With A Focus On Humanitarian Missions
The UK war dramaOur Girlcenters on Molly Dawes (Lacey Turner), a young British Army medic, and later Georgie Lane (Michelle Keegan), as they navigate deployments in Afghanistan, Kenya, and beyond.
By focusing on medics and humanitarian missions,Our Girlprovides a different lens on modern warfare, emphasizing compassion, cultural encounters, and the emotional toll of service rather than solely combat.
Its blend of romance, friendship, and life-or-death stakes made ita hit in the UK. However,Our Girlremains largely unknown internationally - a shame, given its heartfelt and human approach to turning real-world conflicts into gripping small-screen narratives.
1Sharpe (1993-2008)
A Swashbuckling Napoleonic War Epic Led By Sean Bean
Based onThe Last Kingdomauthor Bernard Cornwell’snovels,Sharpestars Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe, a British soldier who rises through the ranks during the Napoleonic Wars. Not only did it help cement Sean Bean’s career, but it’s also one of the most ambitious period war shows ever made.
Part historical drama, part adventure epic, the series combines rousing battle sequences with political intrigue and a roguish charm. It’s a rare TV exploration of the Napoleonic era, a period often overlooked on screen.
Over its 16 installments,Sharpebuilt a devoted cult following, thanks toSean Bean’s charismatic performanceand the show’s mix of military grit and old-fashioned heroics. For fans of underratedwar TV shows, it’s an absolute treasure.
