15 Best Modern TV Shows Set In the 1960s

For most countries around the globe, the 1960s was a hectic decade full of highs and lows. Major developments included humans being launched into space and the Civil Rights Movement members making great strides to end segregation. Besides that, there were several changes in social norms. New kinds of music and fashion trends emerged.

It’s also impossible to forget America’s chaotic political scene. The Vietnam War, and various other issues, brought plenty of backlash, turning POTUS into the worst job in the world. Four presidents — Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon — would serve during the decade.

Over the years, several television shows about the 1960s have been made, some circling one or two major socio-political proceedings and others covering just about every major thing that defined the decade.

Modern shows set in the ‘60s are even more fascinating because of their superior cinematography, which can be credited to technological developments. These small-screen projects also offer more refined versions of history, weeding out previous misconceptions while getting creative with the facts.

15 11.22.63 (2016)

Decades after his assassination, President John F. Kennedy remains a darling to most Americans, including author Stephen King, who published a novel in 2011 imagining a scenario where divorced school teacher Jake Epping goes back in time to stop the shooter. Like every other King book, the novel titled 11/22/63 was quickly adapted for the screen under the name 11.22.63.

A Chilling “What If?” Look at the Political and Racial Climate of the 1960s

Even though it is set in an alternate timeline, 11.22.63. takes viewers on a proper journey through actual pre-assassination events by diving into the activities of characters like Agent Hosty (who investigated the shooter Lee Harvey Oswald before he committed the crime) and Marina (the shooter’s wife). This, therefore, feels more like a history class and not just another standard time-travel tale.

It also dissects the tense segregation climate of the ‘60s and infuses some twists into it. After Kennedy’s assassination is prevented on the show, he serves two terms, only to be succeeded by the racist Alabama governor, George Wallace.

14 Endeavor (2012 – 2023)

Endeavour is a prequel to the Inspector Morse series. The British series traces the titular lawman’s career journey, starting with his time as a detective constable, working under the tutelage of Inspector Thursday, and then as a detective sergeant at the Oxford City Police CID.

Technological Advancements in Policework

Most modern shows have a computer expert who happens to be great at surveillance and hacking, among other things. Thanks to their presence, the detectives’ work is always easy. Given such fluid investigative processes, it’s easy to forget that there was a time when law enforcement officers did things the hard way. Thankfully, Endeavour captures this period while also showing how the slow transition to computers happened in the 1960s.

Apart from that, the show immerses itself in its era by always finding ways to touch on trending topics. The officers hear about Martin Luther King’s assassination on the radio and learn more about the Apollo 11 moon landing while investigating the death of a young astrophysicist.

Stream it on Britbox

13 The Man in the High Castle (2015 – 2019)

The Man in the High Castle is an essential alternate reality TV show that imagines a world where the Axis Powers beat the Allied Powers in World War II. The Nazi-led alliance dropped an atomic bomb on Washington D.C., ensuring victory, and total control. Consequently, the world evolves very differently. In the show’s ’60s timeline, America is colonized by Germany and Japan.

America at the Mercy of Its Enemies

The Prime Video series is more likely to appeal to WWII buffs than ‘60s sentimentalists. It is a difficult show for proud nationalists to watch, but it is ideal for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a gripping fictional world. Overall, The Man in the High Castle qualifies as a satire on America’s tendency to enforce its will on other nations. Instead of American boots being on Vietnam’s grounds in the ‘60s, it’s foreign boots that are on U.S. soil.

12 Masters of Sex (2015 – 2019)

Masters of Sex’s title might trick adolescents into clicking play, but it isn’t a smut-fest. It’s an intellectual show about the researchers William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson, who pioneered studies into the dynamics of human sexual response as well as the diagnosis and eradication of various sexual disorders in the ‘60s. The two worked at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis before founding an independent institution.

Historically Accurate Tools

In the ‘60s, sexual devices were quite unimpressive. Condoms didn’t have reservoir tips and dildos were made out of rubber. The poor design was mostly tied to the fact that people didn’t see the need for these things. Interestingly, Masters of Sex captures everything accurately. The show’s producers acquired the items, including the period-specific condom brands. Watching the series thus makes viewers appreciate the great strides society has made in sexual health.

11 Pennyworth (2019 – 2022)

Pennyworth is the origin story of Batman’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Unlike many of the best Batman movies, which restrict Alfred to activities like packing lunch and repeating the words, “Master Bruce!” the show gives him plenty to do. He starts as a British Special Air Service (SAS) officer before founding his security firm. During this time, he comes into conflict with the Raven Society, a group seeking to overthrow the government.

Acknowledging the Best of the Era

The comic book world of Pennyworth is nothing like the real world. Even so, the show still makes great references to ‘60s pop culture. For example, each episode of Season 1 is named after a British celebrity from the era, including Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black, Julie Christie, and others. Besides that, there was rampant fascism in Britain during the decade and the show captures this perfectly. Here, the Raven Society isn’t just a standard villain group. It digs its ideology from fascism.

10 Palm Royale (2024)

Palm Royale sees lower middle-class member Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons (Kristen Wiig) attempt to shatter the glass of classism in Palm Beach Florida. Aware that her financial status cannot join the exclusive Palm Royale, she tries all tricks to infiltrate high society, including befriending club members and lying about her net worth. Even though her methods keep backfiring, she keeps pushing.

Blending Luxury With Women’s Struggles

Women’s fashion in the ‘60s was defined by color and Jacky Kennedy-inspired elegance. Palm Royale encapsulates this perfectly, and a major plot in the series even involves Maxine trying to get rid of dated attire that she stole from aunt-in-law in favor of expensive outfits. Furthermore, the show is about more than just women trying to live classy lives. Abortion, which was a major hot-button issue during the decade, is addressed in detail, and so is patriarchy.

Stream it on Apple TV+

9 A Very British Scandal (2021)

A Very British Scandal dramatizes the messy 1963 Argyll v Argyll divorce case involving socialite Margaret Whigham Sweeny and 11th Duke of Argyll, Ian Campbell, and Chief (Scottish Gaelic. After meeting Margaret, Ian becomes infatuated and leaves his wife for her.

Trouble arises after Ian discovers his wife’s infidelity and announces his intention to leave all his wealth to his oldest son. This makes Margaret furious, so she starts soiling Ian’s name to gain a huge settlement from their divorce.

Harking Back to One of the Most Scandalous Times in British Royalty

The Argyll v Argyll case was manna for tabloid publishers in Britain. Journalists wrote all kinds of stories about it, and the public was happy to consume them. For those who lived in the ‘60s, A Very British Scandal is a sweet reminder of the good old days and, for those who didn’t, the show reveals just how fun the era was for a gossip lover.

Described as the “Dirty Duchess,” Margaret causes as much havoc in the series as she did in the real world. And even though he is embarrassed by it, Ian is more than happy to shame her by tabling evidence of the 88 men she slept with.

Stream it on Prime Video

8 Fortunate Son (2020)

Fortunate Son revolves around Ruby Howard (Kari Matchett), an American anti-war expatriate residing in British Columbia. Soon, she is tasked with helping the troubled American youngster Travis Hunter cross the border to avoid the Vietnam War draft. The task proves hard because CIA agent Vern Lang is keen on stopping all anti-war movements, to cut down on the number of draft evaders.

A Touching Anti-War Series

Hollywood often hides the fact that Americans opposed every major overseas deployment that happened after World War II. The Vietnam War drew the most outrage in the ‘60s, yet it’s hard to know that by watching films about the conflict. L

uckily, there is Fortunate Son, a show that wonderfully examines the tactics of the Draft Dodgers. At the time, such individuals might have been considered traitors, but this specific small-screen project makes a strong case for why they might have been justified in their actions.

Buy or rent it on Apple TV+

7 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017 – 2023)

Set in 1960s New York, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel begins with a new dawn for Jewish-American housewife Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan). After her husband Joel, a struggling amateur comedian, dumps her without warning, she decides to pursue her own stand-up comedy career. When she goes to a comedy club and vents, the set turns out to be so good that it opens fresh opportunities for her.

Laughter in a Counterculture Era

Midge is a symbol of the counterculture movement of the ‘60s. She has numerous independent thoughts and frequently strays from established social formulas. She even bares her breasts in her first comedy set, something that might be considered extreme even by today’s standards.

One of the best moments unfolds when her “unfaithful husband” jokes upset Jackie Kennedy during a JFK presidential campaign rally. Such silly fictitious moments, and many more, are what make The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel great.

6 3 Body Problem (2024)

Based on the book series Remembrance of Earth’s Past by Chinese computer engineer-turned-novelist Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem revolves around several scientists who all make contact with an extraterrestrial civilization. The show is the brainchild of Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Its title is borrowed from the classical mechanics theory that involves calculating the trajectories of three-point masses orbiting each other in space.

Tapping Into the 1960s Alien Fever

Thanks to a huge supply of fictional books and movies, space fever surged tremendously in the ‘60s. There were over 20 alleged UFO sightings, causing the public to believe that aliens were indeed real. 3 Body Problem thus excels by capturing the era’s curiosity.

The mathematics and physics concepts tackled in the show are reflections of real-world scientific advancements. And despite being a fictional sci-fi series, the Netflix project touches on various global happenings, notably the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

Stream it on Netflix

5 Why Women Kill (2019 – 2021)

Why Woman Kill‘s title might alarm male viewers, but it isn’t just a show about misandry. It dwells on marital challenges and revolves around housewives from different eras, all of whom resided in a specific mansion in Pasadena, California. Each of them finds out her husband is cheating on her, and contemplates murder. Though various periods are covered, the ‘60s remains the principal timeline for the show’s first season.

Shiny Outfits and Drama-Packed Marriages

The show’s Barbie-like production design accurately reflects the ‘60s suburban atmosphere. From the outside, the women seem like they have it all. From the inside, they are struggling with many demons. The costume design is also lovely. This is hardly surprising, considering the work was mostly done by Janie Bryant, who was part of the cast-dressing team for Mad Men. Once again, there is a strong emphasis on the variation of color.

4 For All Mankind (2019 – Present)

For All Mankind is a great recommendation for viewers looking for Cold War-themed shows. It’s also an alternate history tale that imagines what the world would be like if the U.S.S.R had become the first nation to send astronauts to the moon instead of the United States. The title is borrowed from the writings on the lunar plaque left on the Moon by the Apollo 11 crew, which reads, “We Came in Peace for All Mankind”.

Highlighting America’s Flaws

The Apple TV+ series movies past the ‘60s at some point. However, its best moments are when the focus is still on the decade. The embarrassment stemming from the failure to put the first person on the moon causes a lot of infighting within NASA and the White House. Consequently, audiences are treated to some juicy drama.

The Soviets are shown to be very progressive. They use female astronauts and engineers in their space program, prompting America to do the same to catch up. Additionally, the writers don’t hesitate to poke fun at Nixon and his policies. He is so delusional that he considers building a military base on the moon with taxpayers’ money.

3 Godfather of Harlem (2019 – Present)

Fpix’s Godfather of Harlem is an unofficial prequel to Ridley Scott’s American Gangster. Its central character is the notorious Harlem mob boss Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson (Forrest Whitaker), who made a name for himself by taking on New York’s five mafia families. A parallel plot involves Bumpy’s deep friendship with the popular ‘60s Civil Rights activist Malcolm X (Nigel Thatch).

The Fight for Black Rights

Godfather of Harlem is a revolutionary show and a mob show rolled into one. Initially, Bumpy and Malcolm X seem like different people whose ideologies would never intertwine, yet they end up spending plenty of time together in the series. And in Malcolm’s final days, Bumpy offers him protection.

The events seem fictional because the story hasn’t been told many times, but they are true. Additionally, characters like Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Muhammad Ali appear, making this the perfect Civil Rights story.

Stream it on Hulu

2 The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

Based on Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel of the same name, The Queen’s Gambit follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an American chess prodigy as she rises to the top of the game’s competitive world while battling drug and alcohol addiction. The title references the “Queen’s Gambit” chase movie in which the Queen’s pawn is moved first in order to gain control of the board’s central region.

Tough Matches in a Tough Decade

Despite being a show about chess, The Queen’s Gambit remains conscious of key ‘60s national and geopolitical developments such as the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the space race. These are referenced in conversations or news clips. Gender disparity remains a common theme too, with Beth facing numerous obstacles while trying to navigate a sport that was mostly reserved for men in the era.

Stream it on Netflix

1 Good Girls Revolt (2015)

Good Girls Revolt is adapted from Lynn Povich’s non-fiction book The Good Girls Revolt. The series centers around a team of young female writers at the News of the Week (representing the real Newsweek) magazine. Women in the media house are only given low-level positions, yet many are more talented than their male counterparts. Fed up, they devise ways to change their circumstances and improve their pay.

Remembering Women’s Workplace Struggles

Some of the challenges witnessed in Good Girls Revolt are still prevalent today, but great strides have been made. The show is thus a harsh reminder of how bad things were. Some of the shocking revelations include the refusal to let women use their own bylines on articles and the blatant plagiarism of their stories by male reporters.

However, the show is a bit lighter in tone compared to the source material, which gave a harrowing account of the events leading to the lawsuit female employees of Newsweek filed against their bosses.

Stream it on Prime Video