15 Netflix Series Based on True Events

Real Stories, Real Drama

Not every Netflix series is pure fiction, many are based on real-life events. Over the years, Netflix has become a favorite platform for showcasing true stories, bringing captivating real-life events to our screens.

Explore these series and uncover the remarkable tales that inspired them. Keep reading to discover more.

When They See Us

With a powerful theme and eye-opening storytelling, When They See Us highlights the sensitive topic of racial injustice. The one-season miniseries is based on the “Central Park 5.”

It follows five black and Latino teenagers who have been wrongfully convicted of assaulting a jogger in New York City in 1989. The main leads include Jharrel Jerome, Ava DuVernay, Felicity Huffman, and Caleel Harris.

The Crown

A critically acclaimed Netflix series, The Crown is directed by Peter Morgan. The six seasons series provides an insight into the personal and public life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The show perfectly portrays richly detailed storytelling, offering a glimpse into the intricate workings of political and intimate matters. The cast includes Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby, Matt Smith, and Olivia Colman.

Narcos

The notorious life of the drug lord Pablo Escobar is reflected in the Netflix series Narcos. Spanning three seasons, Narcos follows the rise of the Medellin Cartel.

We’ve got none other than Pedro Pascal starring as Javier Pena with Wagner Moura playing the popular role of Pablo Escobar. The series follows the complex themes of power, greed, and loyalty.

Mindhunter

With a thriller genre and a total of two seasons, Mindhunter follows the groundbreaking work of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The book is Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker and it’s based on real life events.

The cast includes Holt McCallany, Jonathan Groff, Anna Torv, and Cameron Britton. The show gives viewers a direct insight into the minds of serial convicts like Ed Kemper, Dennis Rader, and others.

Unbelievable

A mini-series with Kaitlyn Dever starring as the main star, Unbelievable tends to tick at the nerves of its viewers as a teenager is accused of fabricating an assault claim. This series, based on a true story, has been adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning article by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong.

The main lead, Marie, experiences humiliation, disbelief, and systemic failures while trying to prove her point. The series is disturbing, moving, and engrossing at the same time.

The Spy

Based on the real-life of Israel’s top Mossad spy, Eli Cohen, The Spy explores Cohen’s daring espionage mission. Sacha Baron Cohen, who’s mostly seen in comedic roles, delivered a transformative and gripping performance in this miniseries.

Other cast members include Noah Emmerich, Alona Tal, and Alexander Siddig. The series showcases both sacrifices made to complete the mission along with its impact on the personal lives of many.

Alias Grace

Following Margaret Atwood’s novel, Alias Grace is a thought-provoking mini-series set in 19th-century Canada. The story centers around Grace Marks, a young Irish immigrant and domestic worker.

The young girl is convicted of the double homicide of her employer and his housekeeper. The cast includes Sarah Gordon, Mary Whitney, Anna Paquin, and Stephen Joffe.

Dahmer

Widely applauded and criticized, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. This chilling Netflix series follows the life and crime of a notorious serial perpetrator, Jeffrey Dahmer.

The gruesome character is played by Evan Peters and alongside him, we’ve got Richard Jenkins, Niecy Nash, and Michael Learned. Dahmer throughout the series attacked underprivileged people.

The Serpent

A riveting Netflix series that follows the real-life crimes of Charles Sobhraj, The Serpent is cunning and disturbing. Charles Sobhraj, played by Tahar Rahim, was a serial perpetrator who would prey on young Western travelers along Southeast Asia’s “Hippie Trail” in the 1970s.

The series is based on themes of crime, justice, and manipulation. Jenna Coleman, Billy Howle, Fabien Frankel, and Ellie Bamber also appear in it.

Inventing Anna

A captivating mini-series, Inventing Anna, is about the true story of Anna Delvey, a Russian-born con artist. Anna would pose as a wealthy socialite in New York and infiltrate the circles of the rich in Manhattan.

Over time, with her manipulative tricks, she was able to fool banks, friends, and hotels into funding her lavish lifestyle. Julia Garner perfectly played the role of Anna Delvey, and other cast members included Anna Chlumsky, Laverne Cox, and Alexis Floyd.

Escape at Dannemora

Both complex and intricate, Escape at Dannemora is a mini-series that follows two convicted perpetrators, Richard Matt and David Sweat, who manage to break out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York, in 2015 with the help of Joyce Mitchell, a civilian prison worker.

Joyce is played by none other than Patricia Arquette, Richard Matt by Benicio del Toro, and David Sweat by Paul Dono. The series explores themes of manipulation and betrayal.

The Watcher

A disturbing and moving story based on real-life events, The Watcher follows a family terrorized by a mysterious stalker. The stalker comes into the picture as the family moves into their dream home in Westfield, New Jersey.

The Watcher, with its two main leads played by Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale, perfectly balances psychological tension and suspense. The show explores feelings of fear, disgust, and alarm.

The Devil Next Door

A Netflix documentary released in 2019, The Devil Next Door, tells a true story about John Demjanjuk, a retired auto worker living in the U.S.

Demajanjuk was accused of being the “Ivan the Terrible,” a Nazi camp guard responsible for the deaths of many. The documentary follows a legal battle over John’s real identity.

The Innocence Files

Released in 2020 and with only one season, Innocence Flies digs deep into the flaws of the U.S. justice system. Shedding light on the Innocence Project, the series explores how legal errors, poor defense systems, and systematic biases can lead to the wrong people being sent to prison.

The series is directed by Roger Ross Williams, Jed Rothstein, Sarah Dowland, Liz Garbus, Alex Gibney, and Andy Grieve.

For fans of intense stories, don’t miss out on Netflix’s latest mystery, Harlan Coben’s Thriller Missing You .

The Pharmacist

A powerful documentary based on a father’s efforts to seek justice and spread awareness, The Pharmacist sheds light on important matters. The father, Dan Schneider, embarks on a mission to expose a systemic issue that deeply affected his family.

A father’s quest for justice eventually turns into something bigger. The series is directed by Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason.

Did you know Liam Payne was working with Netflix for a reality competition series? Check out Liam Payne’s Final Project: Netflix’s Building the Band for more information.