7 Best TV Miniseries of the ’90s

Sam Neill stars as the titular wizard in this interpretation of the Arthurian legend, sharing his story of war against Queen Mab (Miranda Richardson) amid the rise and fall of Camelot. Fulfilling the need for fantasy content, this miniseries boasts a starry cast that along with Neill and Richardson includes Helena Bonham Carter, Isabella Rossellini, Martin Short, and future Game of Thrones star Lena Headey.

Jonathan Swift’s larger-than-life story comes to the screen in this two-part miniseries starring real-life couple Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Featuring impressive visual effects for the time, Gulliver’s Travels remains somewhat faithful to the source material but also introduces new story elements including a revised happier ending than the book. Get swept up in Dr. Gulliver’s (Danson) fantastical adventures as he recalls his travels after a long absence from his family in this Emmy-winning miniseries.

Tim Curry transforms into the terrifying clown Pennywise for this cult-classic television adaptation of Stephen King’s It. The familiar story follows a group of friends known as The Losers Club who find themselves terrorized by a monster who takes the form of an evil clown. Beginning in the 1960s, this series spans to the 1990s when the friends reunite to take down Pennywise once and for all.

Everyone needs a great biopic drama to enjoy and nothing fits the bill better than NBC’s two-part TV event, The Temptations. Starring Lucifer‘s D.B. Woodside among others, the miniseries puts the spotlight on the singers of the titular Motown group, offering an overview of the musical group’s story. The well-received show also featured props from the real musicians, offering an added layer of authenticity to the dramatization.

Who doesn’t like a historical epic? Joan of Arc delivers such grandeur while also featuring a strong cast of performers. Joining Leelee Sobieski who takes on the titular role of the 15th-century figure are costars such as Peter O’Toole, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Neil Patrick Harris, and Robert Loggia among others. Airing on CBS in the United States, this two-part drama received several Emmy nominations including a win for O’Toole in the Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries category.

Based on Armistead Maupin’s novel, Tales of the City centers on Laura Linney‘s Mary Ann Singleton, a young woman who takes a vacation to San Francisco and decides to stay. Set in 1976 and carrying onto the beginning of 1977, the series memorably depicts the city’s LGBTQ scene through Mary Ann’s eyes, sharing the stories of her new friends and acquaintances along the way. The miniseries went on to spawn several sequel shows over the years, most recently with Netflix’s 2019 revival.

Before Anthony Bridgerton took an unexpected dip in the Regency-era pond on Netflix‘s Bridgerton, there was Colin Firth‘s  Mr. Darcy, the misunderstood male lead of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Playing his Elizabeth Bennet in the Andrew Davies-helmed show is Jennifer Ehle. Together, they became a swoon-worthy pop-culture couple onscreen, paving the way for plenty of favorite shows airing today, whether it’s Bridgerton or Sanditon.