Heavy is the head that wears the crown, even if said crown isn’t literal. Royal bloodlines come in all shapes and sizes, whether they hold an actual title or — as with the Kennedy family — capture a nation’s undivided attention through their political prowess, alluring lifestyles, and immediate name recognition. Netflix’s upcoming historical drama Kennedy, starring Michael Fassbender as patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr., will follow the notorious dynasty from the 1930s onward as he, his wife, Rose (Laura Donnelly), and their nine children begin their unrelenting, often tragic journey to shape American culture.
But the Kennedys were neither the first nor the last family to have an undeniable impact on the world around them. While you await more news about Kennedy, you can check out the influential dynasties in these movies and series on Netflix. Some are based on true stories, while others simply lean into the drama and intrigue that comes with inherent power and influence. The one thing these tales have in common? They know that family is everything. Read on to learn more.
If you’re talking dynasties, few in modern history rival Britain’s current royal family. The Crown’s six seasons bust the palace doors wide open on the UK’s recent royals, from the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign to the era when Princess Diana enters the fold, and continuing on to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s university romance. In Season 1, Elizabeth (Claire Foy) ascends the throne when her father, George VI (Jared Harris), dies. As she settles into her new role, she struggles with her marriage to Prince Philip (Matt Smith), increasing demands from Prime Minister Winston Churchill (John Lithgow), and her sister Princess Margaret’s (Vanessa Kirby) chaotic love life. This ensemble drama, which covers nearly six decades, also stars Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter) and Imelda Staunton (Paddington in Peru) as older versions of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
This sequel film, which takes place in the 1930s, after the events of the original Downton Abbey series, follows Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) as she finds herself navigating a public scandal that could forever change her and her family’s legacy. And when the Crawleys’ financial trouble rears its head, patriarch Robert (Hugh Bonneville) fears they’re headed for ruin. Can this powerful family adapt to survive in an ever-changing world? Or will tradition stop the next generation from leading Downton Abbey into the future? Jim Carter (Wonka), Paul Giamatti (Private Life), Elizabeth McGovern (Talamasca: The Secret Order), and Penelope Wilton (Operation Mincemeat) also star.
This modern reboot of the hit ’80s soap opera follows the machinations of two rival families dead set on destroying each other’s legacies. When heiress Fallon Carrington (Elizabeth Gillies) learns that she lost out on a promotion at her billionaire father Blake’s (Grant Show) company — to his fiancée, nonetheless — she goes full scorched-earth. She partners with her dad’s nemesis, Jeff Colby (Sam Adegoke), and begins a rival company. But when wayward, opportunistic family members start banging on the castle door and the police begin investigating a suspicious death, the group might be forced to come together to keep their empires intact. Rafael De La Fuente (Love on the Amazon), Robert Christopher Riley (The Perfect Match), and Nathalie Kelley (The Baker and the Beauty) co-star.
How do you help build a dynasty that was never meant to be yours? When Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria (Philip Froissant) proposes to Elisabeth “Sisi” von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau) over his intended betrothed — Sisi’s older sister, Duchess Helene (Elisa Schlott) — Sisi finds herself navigating complex court politics and barely surviving her new husband’s power-hungry family, especially her scheming mother-in-law (Melika Foroutan). Is Sisi’s genuine love connection with the emperor enough to balance out life in the oppressive 1800s Habsburg royal court? Especially when Maximilian (Johannes Nussbaum), Franz Joseph’s younger brother, tries to outshine the emperor and prove that he’s a more worthy ruler. Katharina Eyssen created this historical romantic drama that also stars Jördis Triebel (Blood & Gold) and Almila Bagriacik (Sisters Apart).
When patriarch Sir Benjamin Guinness, the founder of the world-renowned Dublin brewery, dies, he leaves behind four grown children — Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Ben (Fionn O’Shea) — who are paid their inheritance and pressured to keep his empire afloat. But 1860s Dublin is filled to the brim (of a pint glass) with political turmoil as Ireland rebels against British rule. The siblings grapple with a changing world, their many affairs, and factory foreman Sean Rafferty (James Norton) as they vie for power (or desperately try to avoid it) in this historical drama created by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders).
Based on Italian author Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s posthumously published 1958 novel, The Leopard tells the story of Don Fabrizio Corbera (Kim Rossi Stuart), a Sicilian prince whose family is caught up in the changing tides of Italian life during Giuseppe Garibaldi’s 19th century conquest. When the Redshirts arrive in Palermo, Corbera and his family flee to their country estate, where their situation quickly becomes perilous. As their family’s ancient privilege clashes with revolutionary change, the Corberas will have to adapt to survive — or die on the vine. Benedetta Porcaroli (Baby), Deva Cassel (The Beautiful Summer), and Saul Nanni (Supersex) also star in this period drama created by Richard Warlow (Ripper Street).
Family doesn’t fall far from the tree (or the agave plant) in this Mexican succession drama created by Diego Gutiérrez (Blood Legacy). Two decades ago, Ana María (Irene Azuela) left her wealthy, fraught family behind and moved to Los Angeles. When she returns to Mexico, her father — a billionaire tequila magnate — offers her a deal anyone would have a hard time refusing, much to her brothers’ chagrin. The entire operation threatens to crumble under their feet as they fight for control despite rampant corruption, violence, and long-held secrets. Juan Manuel Bernal (No One Saw Us Leave), Osvaldo Benavides (La dictadura perfecta), and Rosa María Bianchi (Tell Me When) also star.
It’s the Shelby family versus the world in this six-season period crime drama created by Knight. Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) has returned home from World War I a changed man. And he has a plan to make his family crime gang, the Peaky Blinders — named for the razor blades hidden in their characteristic flat caps — the most fearsome in town. Fixing horse races and challenging local heavy Billy Kimber (Charlie Creed-Miles) is one thing. But when the group steals weapons from the local arms factory, they catch the attention of Winston Churchill, who sends the dogged Chester Campbell (Sam Neill) to investigate. The packed ensemble cast also includes Paul Anderson (Legend), Sophie Rundle (Bodyguard), and Helen McCrory (Skyfall).
The sequel film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, is also available to watch on Netflix.
