Limited Mini-Series You Are Sleeping On (but Shouldn’t)

Limited mini-series are perfect when you want a complete, self-contained story that doesn’t sprawl for seasons on end. The picks below span true crime, history, literary adaptations, and high-concept sci-fi, and each one wraps up in just a handful of episodes. You’ll find details like episode counts, creators, platforms, and what each story covers so you can jump straight to what fits your mood next.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

This five-part drama from writer Craig Mazin and director Johan Renck reconstructs the nuclear accident in the Soviet Union and its immediate aftermath. It was produced by HBO and Sky, with filming across Lithuania and other locations to recreate Pripyat and the power plant. The show tracks scientists, officials, and first responders, emphasizing the investigation into causation and cover-ups. It received multiple Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series.

‘When They See Us’ (2019)

Ava DuVernay’s four-part series dramatizes the case of the Central Park Five, later known as the Exonerated Five. Produced for Netflix, it follows the arrests, interrogations, trials, and eventual exonerations of five teenagers from Harlem. The production uses archival-informed court material and interviews to shape its narrative. It earned major awards recognition, including acting wins.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

Created by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian for HBO, this eight-episode legal crime drama examines the U.S. justice system through one homicide case. It explores police procedure, defense strategy, plea bargaining, and the impact of incarceration on a first-time detainee. The series adapts the British production ‘Criminal Justice’ and features a detailed depiction of forensic and legal processes. It won multiple Emmys, including acting and writing honors.

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

Based on the Gillian Flynn novel, this eight-episode HBO series was directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. It follows a reporter who returns to her hometown to cover two murders while confronting family trauma. The production interweaves investigative journalism with psychological and gothic elements, using layered flashbacks and visual motifs. The soundtrack and editing received notable acclaim, alongside awards attention for the cast.

‘Olive Kitteridge’ (2014)

This four-part adaptation of Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer-winning book was produced by HBO. Directed by Lisa Cholodenko and written by Jane Anderson, it spans decades in a coastal Maine town through interconnected vignettes. The series focuses on marriage, parenting, depression, and community ties. It won numerous Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series and multiple acting awards.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

This ten-part World War II miniseries from HBO and Playtone chronicles Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment from training through V-J Day. Based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s nonfiction work, it was filmed across extensive European sets and locations. The production is known for its veteran interviews that frame each episode. It received Golden Globes and Emmys for its large-scale, historically grounded storytelling.

‘The Pacific’ (2010)

A companion to ‘Band of Brothers’, this ten-episode HBO miniseries follows three U.S. Marines across the Pacific Theater. It draws heavily from the memoirs of Robert Leckie and Eugene Sledge. The series reconstructs campaigns including Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Okinawa with large-scale battle sequences. It earned multiple Emmys, including Outstanding Miniseries.

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

This seven-part HBO miniseries is based on Evan Wright’s embedded reporting with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during the invasion of Iraq. Created by David Simon and Ed Burns, it focuses on modern military culture, tactical decision-making, and rules of engagement. The production used military advisors and authentic equipment to enhance accuracy. It won TCA and other industry awards.

‘Angels in America’ (2003)

Adapted from Tony Kushner’s two-part play, this six-hour HBO miniseries blends political, spiritual, and personal narratives during the AIDS crisis. Directed by Mike Nichols, it retains the play’s structure while expanding the visual scope for television. The series features an ensemble cast portraying intersecting storylines in New York and beyond. It received a sweep of major awards, including Emmys and Golden Globes.

‘John Adams’ (2008)

This seven-episode historical miniseries from HBO dramatizes the life and presidency of John Adams and the founding of the United States. Adapted from David McCullough’s biography, it covers legal battles, diplomacy in Europe, and early national politics. Production utilized period-accurate sets, costumes, and practical locations in Virginia and Massachusetts. It won a record number of Emmys for a miniseries at the time.

‘Roots’ (1977)

This eight-part adaptation of Alex Haley’s work tells the multigenerational story of an African American family from enslavement to emancipation. Airing on ABC, it reached one of the largest television audiences in U.S. history. The series used a rotating ensemble cast across distinct historical periods. It earned numerous awards and spurred national conversations about genealogy and history.

‘The Lost Room’ (2006)

A three-part sci-fi mystery miniseries that premiered on Syfy, it centers on a motel room whose ordinary objects possess anomalous powers. The story follows a detective who discovers a portal linked to a larger conspiracy over artifact control. The production uses a quest structure, with each object tied to specific rules and effects. It became a cult favorite for its world-building and puzzle-like narrative design.

‘The Honourable Woman’ (2014)

This eight-episode BBC/SundanceTV co-production explores business, espionage, and diplomacy surrounding a Middle East tech and philanthropy initiative. Created by Hugo Blick, it intertwines private-sector development with intelligence operations across London and the region. The narrative structure uses shifting timelines and perspectives to reveal state and non-state actors. It won a Golden Globe for performance and earned BAFTA recognition.

‘State of Play’ (2003)

This six-episode BBC political thriller follows a newspaper’s investigation into a suspicious death linked to a Member of Parliament. Created by Paul Abbott, it examines newsroom practices, source protection, and the intersection of politics and corporate interests. The production was shot largely on location in London and uses a serialized investigative arc. It received BAFTA awards and later inspired a feature adaptation.

‘The Little Drummer Girl’ (2018)

This six-episode AMC/BBC miniseries adapts John le Carré’s novel about an actress recruited into an intelligence operation. Directed by Park Chan-wook, it films across multiple European and Middle Eastern locations. The series emphasizes tradecraft, double lives, and performance within covert operations. It features a tightly plotted, character-driven spy narrative over limited hours.

‘Patrick Melrose’ (2018)

Based on Edward St Aubyn’s semi-autobiographical novels, this five-episode Showtime/Sky Atlantic miniseries spans childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, and class. Each episode adapts one book, shifting settings between the U.K., France, and the U.S. The production employs distinct visual and tonal approaches for each chapter. It received multiple BAFTA and Emmy nominations, including a win for acting.

‘Unbelievable’ (2019)

This eight-episode Netflix miniseries adapts the ProPublica and The Marshall Project reporting on a serial assault case mishandled by authorities. It alternates between two investigations in different jurisdictions that eventually converge. The show incorporates survivor accounts, procedural detail, and case-file accuracy. It earned a Peabody Award and multiple nominations across major guilds.

‘Godless’ (2017)

A seven-episode Netflix Western created by Scott Frank, set in a New Mexico mining town led largely by women after a disaster. The story follows an outlaw pursued by his former mentor and a lawman with shifting alliances. Production used expansive location shoots and practical sets to stage gunfights and frontier life. It received Emmys for directing and supporting performance.

‘Alias Grace’ (2017)

This six-episode Netflix/CBC miniseries adapts Margaret Atwood’s novel based on the case of Grace Marks in Canada. The narrative centers on memory, testimony, and psychiatric evaluation, framed as interviews. Costumes and settings recreate mid-19th-century domestic and prison environments. The series was widely recognized for its script and performances, earning Canadian Screen Awards.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

A seven-episode Netflix miniseries based on Walter Tevis’s novel, it follows a chess prodigy’s rise through national and international tournaments. The production collaborated with chess consultants to ensure accurate openings, endgames, and tournament formats. Period design covers orphanage life, mid-century hotels, and global venues. It won multiple Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

This seven-episode HBO limited series is a small-town crime drama set in Pennsylvania, created by Brad Ingelsby and directed by Craig Zobel. It follows a detective balancing a murder investigation with family and community pressures. The production emphasizes regional dialects, location shooting, and layered casework. It won Emmys for lead performance and supporting roles.

‘Station Eleven’ (2021–2022)

A ten-episode HBO Max limited series adapting Emily St. John Mandel’s novel about a troupe of actors after a global pandemic. The narrative uses non-linear structure, jumping between pre- and post-collapse timelines. Production filmed across North America, incorporating theater, comics, and found-family themes. It received critical and guild recognition for writing and directing.

‘A Very English Scandal’ (2018)

This three-episode BBC/Amazon miniseries dramatizes the Jeremy Thorpe affair, focusing on politics, law, and public opinion. Directed by Stephen Frears and written by Russell T Davies, it uses court transcripts and investigative material. The series balances behind-the-scenes party maneuvering with legal strategy. It earned BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for performances.

‘Dopesick’ (2021)

An eight-episode Hulu miniseries created by Danny Strong, it traces the origins and spread of the opioid crisis across manufacturers, regulators, doctors, and communities. The show adapts Beth Macy’s nonfiction reporting, structuring multiple timelines that converge on enforcement actions. It depicts marketing practices, approval processes, and legal challenges. The series won Emmys, including Outstanding Lead Actor.

‘Black Bird’ (2022)

This six-episode Apple TV+ miniseries adapts the memoir by James Keene and Hillel Levin, following a plea deal to coax a confession from a suspected serial killer. The production depicts prison informant protocols, FBI coordination, and psychological interviewing. Locations and sets recreate federal and state facilities, with attention to custody procedures. It received awards recognition for supporting performances and writing.

‘Show Me a Hero’ (2015)

This six-part HBO miniseries, created by David Simon and William F. Zorzi, dramatizes the federal desegregation housing battle in Yonkers, New York. It follows a young mayor navigating court orders, city council votes, and public backlash while negotiating with community leaders and lawyers. The production draws on Lisa Belkin’s nonfiction book and uses location shooting around Westchester. It earned recognition for policy detail and direction by Paul Haggis.

‘The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ (2016)

This ten-episode FX limited series adapts Jeffrey Toobin’s book about the Simpson murder case and subsequent trial. It reconstructs key moments from jury selection to closing arguments, focusing on prosecution and defense strategy as well as media coverage. The production features detailed courtroom procedure and recreations of press events and investigations. It won multiple major awards, including Outstanding Limited Series and acting honors.

‘The Looming Tower’ (2018)

This ten-episode Hulu miniseries adapts Lawrence Wright’s Pulitzer-winning account of the rise of al-Qaeda and interagency conflict in the United States. It tracks parallel FBI and CIA investigations, emphasizing intelligence sharing, field operations, and bureaucratic friction. The story moves through offices and safe houses across several countries, highlighting specific cells and operatives. Production consulted source materials and reportage to ground timelines and events.

‘Years and Years’ (2019)

This six-episode BBC/HBO co-production, created by Russell T Davies, charts one British family through rapidly shifting politics and technology. It blends near-future policy changes, financial shocks, and evolving media with everyday milestones. The series uses time jumps and news segments to frame social and economic shifts. It was recognized for its ensemble cast and topical storytelling approach.

‘The Plot Against America’ (2020)

This six-part HBO miniseries adapts Philip Roth’s novel envisioning an alternate United States under an isolationist administration. Created by David Simon and Ed Burns, it follows a working-class family as domestic and foreign policies reshape daily life. The production reconstructs mid-century neighborhoods, campaign events, and civic organizations. It emphasizes how policy decisions filter into schools, workplaces, and community institutions.

‘The Undoing’ (2020)

This six-episode HBO limited series, created by David E. Kelley and directed by Susanne Bier, centers on a homicide case entwined with elite institutions. It traces police work, pretrial maneuvering, and courtroom testimony while mapping media interest and social circles. The production uses New York locations, private school settings, and clinical spaces to anchor the investigation. It became one of the network’s most-watched limited offerings at release.

‘It’s a Sin’ (2021)

This five-part Channel 4/HBO Max miniseries from Russell T Davies follows a group of friends in London as the AIDS crisis unfolds. It covers public health messaging, hospital practices, activism, and the impact on family dynamics. The production recreates club culture, shared flats, and medical wards, blending period music and design. It received awards recognition, including BAFTAs for craft categories and performances.

‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)

This seven-episode Netflix limited series from Mike Flanagan takes place on an isolated island community affected by unusual phenomena. It explores local clergy, recovering residents, and law enforcement as unexplained events intersect with faith and science. The production emphasizes contained locations, practical effects, and extended dialogue sequences. It forms part of the creator’s anthology of standalone, limited projects.

‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ (2022)

This seven-episode FX/Hulu miniseries adapts Jon Krakauer’s investigative book about a double murder and its religious context. It follows a detective navigating community ties, archival records, and doctrinal history while coordinating with multiple agencies. The series uses flashbacks and historical vignettes to outline organizational schisms and family networks. Production incorporated consultation on legal procedures and case chronology.

‘A Spy Among Friends’ (2022)

This six-episode MGM+ and ITVX miniseries adapts Ben Macintyre’s nonfiction account of the Kim Philby espionage scandal. It focuses on interrogations, debriefs, and transatlantic liaison work during and after Philby’s exposure. The production stages safe apartment meetings, clubrooms, and government offices with period design. It examines how vetting protocols and personal relationships affected counterintelligence outcomes.

‘The English’ (2022)

This six-part co-production between the BBC and Prime Video is a revisionist Western created by Hugo Blick. It follows two travelers crossing the frontier while confronting land claims, militia groups, and territorial law. The series was filmed across striking landscapes with practical sets and period costuming. It features a self-contained arc that culminates in a legal and personal reckoning.

‘Waco’ (2018)

This six-episode Paramount Network limited series dramatizes the federal siege outside Waco, Texas. It covers the timeline from ATF planning to FBI negotiation tactics, presenting negotiation transcripts, media briefings, and tactical decisions. The production reconstructs the compound and command posts, using advisors to depict procedures. It later spawned a companion follow-up, while this installment stands as a complete account of the siege.

‘Flesh and Bone’ (2015)

This eight-episode Starz miniseries follows a young dancer navigating a New York ballet company’s hierarchy and training regimen. It depicts rehearsal schedules, casting decisions, injuries, and funding pressures within the arts ecosystem. The production includes original choreography by a renowned ballet master and extensive studio sequences. It won awards for choreography and was noted for behind-the-scenes authenticity.

‘Hatfields & McCoys’ (2012)

This three-part History miniseries dramatizes the feud between two Appalachian families in the postwar period. It tracks court cases, land disputes, and cross-border jurisdiction issues along a contested river boundary. The production uses location shooting and period firearms and costumes to anchor events. It received multiple Emmys, including acting and technical categories.

‘From the Earth to the Moon’ (1998)

This twelve-part HBO miniseries chronicles the U.S. crewed space program from early missions through lunar landings. Each episode focuses on a distinct facet, including spacecraft design, astronaut training, mission control operations, and media coverage. The production built large-scale sets for capsules, simulators, and launch facilities, with extensive technical consulting. It won several awards and remains a reference point for dramatized spaceflight procedure.

Share the limited mini-series you’d add to this list in the comments!