Starz has always had a diverse portfolio that includes memorable dramatic and comedic series. The Starz miniseries are particularly notable since they use a few episodes to tell compelling stories. Some of the best Starz miniseries came from the 2010s, when stories about historical figures were all the rage. Although many Starz miniseries chronicled the lives of historical figures, some miniseries were far more experimental. Some Starz miniseries from this decade took narrative risks.
The 2010s were a launching point for Starz to release some of their most well-known miniseries. This decade was a chance for the network to play around with different source materials, as well as to create their own unique stories that stood on their own. The best Starz miniseries from the 2010s were the network’s historical dramas, which were either literary adaptations, or original period pieces anchored by strong ensembles.
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‘The Rook’ (2019)
Created by Sam Holcroft and Al Muriel
The Rook is a mystery that follows Myfanwy Thomas (Emma Greenwell), who finds herself on London’s Millenium Bridge with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She discovers that she’s actually an agent in a British secret service agency called Checquy. She also has supernatural abilities, and the series follows Thomas’ quest to learn more about her identity and the true nature of her powers that she has to control. The series also stars Olivia Munn as Monica Reed, an agent from the American BVA, which is a sister agency to Checquy.
While this miniseries has an interesting sci-fi premise that revolves around a mystery, it’s ultimately far too convoluted, which makes it difficult to invest in. The puzzle itself could have been far more interesting if Thomas had been allowed to develop more as a character. The fact that Thomas isn’t given more grounded stories to showcase her humanity is disappointing. Although the performances are compelling, there’s too much happening to consider this one of Starz’s best miniseries of the 2010s.
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‘Flesh and Bone’ (2015)
Created by Moira Walley-Beckett
Flesh and Bone introduces Paul Grayson (Ben Daniels), the founder and artistic director of the American Ballet Company. Grayson is determined to make his company stand out, and gain a reputation as one of the best artistic institutions in the world. He believes that the company’s saving grace is Claire Robbins (Sarah Hay), an up-and-coming star with a troubled past who is poised to take over from the company’s aging prima ballerina Kiira (Irina Dvorovenko). The series emphasizes how cutthroat the world of professional ballet often is.
For those who love dramas centered around the intense world of professional ballet, Flesh and Bone explores just how wild it is. The series effectively contrasts the glamour of ballet itself with the reality that those who oversee the business of ballet and those who practice their art their whole lives can become dysfunctional. Flesh and Bone works as a miniseries because it moves at a breakneck pace. This miniseries succeeds in letting these characters be the most chaotic versions of themselves.
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‘The Spanish Princess’ (2019–2020)
Created by Emma Frost and Matthew Graham
Although The Spanish Princess ended in 2020, the fact that it premiered in 2019 makes it one of the most notable miniseries of the 2010s on Starz. The Spanish Princess follows the early life and reign of Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope), the Spanish princess engaged to marry Arthur, Prince of Wales (Angus Imrie). The series chronicles Arthur’s death and Catherine’s subsequent marriage to his brother, who would become Henry VIII (Ruairí O’Connor). She sees her destiny as someone who is going to change the course of history, having been raised by parents who did the same.
While there are many notable inaccuracies in The Spanish Princess, the series is an important one because it humanizes Catherine of Aragon. The series paints Catherine as someone who always knew she was destined for greatness and never let anything stand in her way. Catherine of Aragon is an English queen who’s often overlooked by history, and watching a series dedicated to showing everything she went through makes her easier to appreciate as a historical figure.
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‘The White Princess’ (2017)
Created by Emma Frost
The White Princess is another historical drama based on a Philippa Gregory novel. The series chronicles the end of the War of the Roses, and the marriage of Elizabeth of York (Jodie Comer) and Henry VII (Jacob Collins-Levy). Their marriage is doomed from the start as outside influences stress their relationship. Both of their mothers also try their best to exert influence over the royal family, often with disastrous results for the monarchy and the people. The series is a sequel to The White Queen.
Those who love learning about the history of the British royal family will find much to love in The White Princess. There’s more than enough court intrigue and drama to satisfy anyone who wants to imagine what the ins-and-outs of Elizabeth of York and Henry VII’s court might have been. This miniseries succeeds in bringing historical events to life, and highlighting the fact that figures like Elizabeth of York and Henry VII were ultimately ordinary people in the middle of extraordinary circumstances.
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‘The White Queen’ (2013)
Created by Philippa Gregory, Colin Callender, et al.
The White Queen is a war drama and political thriller that is set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses. The series specifically highlights the stories of women who found themselves in the middle of the conflict over who would be on England’s throne. The York family is represented by Elizabeth Woodville (Rebecca Ferguson) and Anne Neville (Faye Marsay), while the Lancasters are represented by Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale). The series takes place in the 1400s, as England has been at war for nine years, fighting over who is the rightful king and heir to the throne.
The White Queen stands out as one of Starz’s most notable miniseries of the 2010s because it focuses on the stories of influential women of history. The series also succeeds in highlighting the personal stakes that influenced historical events. The White Queen ultimately sets itself apart from other historical dramas that focus on the British royal family because it spotlights women who weren’t given a chance to rule themselves but who still exerted their influence in tangible ways.
The White Queen
- Release Date
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2016 – 2012
- Network
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BBC One
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Aneurin Barnard
Elizabeth Woodville
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Amanda Hale
Harry Stafford
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‘The Pillars of the Earth’ (2010)
Created by Ken Follett
The Pillars of the Earth is based on the novel of the same name by Ken Follett. Like the novel, the miniseries revolves around the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge during a particularly turbulent moment in British history. The series takes place during a civil war that came to be known as “The Anarchy”. The Pillars of the Earth highlights how the lives of ordinary people were upended by this massive conflict.
The Pillars of the Earth is one of Starz’s most notable miniseries of the 2010s because it features stellar performances from an all-star cast. It’s no easy feat to create so many compelling characters who each have stories worth investing in. However, The Pillars of Earth succeeds in focusing on the human cost of war, even for those who aren’t on the front lines. This miniseries also succeeds in being a compelling adaptation of a novel by making significant changes without straying from the spirit of the source material.
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‘Howards End’ (2017–2018)
Created by Polly Hill
Howards End is a four-part miniseries that follows the lives of three families, the Schlegels, the Wilcoxes, and the Basts. The Schlegels are intellectuals, the Wilcoxes have made their fortune in the world of business, and the Basts simply try to survive as members of the working class. Howards End is a meditation on the vast social change that swept through English society at the start of the 20th century. The characters featured here represent how quickly England’s class system was upended at the turn of the century.
Howards End is one of the best Starz miniseries of the 2010s because it’s a compelling period piece anchored by characters who are easy to empathize with. The series manages to effectively reflect on issues such as the changing role of women in British society, class inequality, and the conflict between idealism and pragmatism. The characters featured in Howards End are often infuriating in their commitment to maintaining the status quo, but this makes them all the more endearing.
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‘Spartacus: Gods of the Arena’ (2011)
Created by Steven S. DeKnight
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a historical drama that follows Gannicus (Dustin Clare), the first gladiator representing Lentulus Batiatus (John Hannah) to become Champion of Capua. The series is a prequel to Spartacus, the Starz drama that also premiered in 2011. The series takes place in Ancient Rome, and takes place before the arrival of Spartacus himself. The series explores the brutal dynamics between gladiators and their Roman masters.
What makes Spartacus: Gods of the Arena the best Starz miniseries of the 2010s is how well it handles sometimes difficult themes against the backdrop of real historical events. Like many stories set during this time period, the series highlights themes like power, loyalty, and betrayal. What sets this miniseries apart, however, is the fact that it focuses on intimate, personal choices made by individuals caught up in a horrific social hierarchy rather than glorifying massive political moves by members of the elite.
