History began as a network that aired almost exclusively documentaries, but has since added historically themed scripted series such as Vikings and the 2016 remake of Roots . So it makes sense that one of the network's newest shows, "Barbarians Rising," combines documentary character conversations with lengthy reenactments, a style that's never been seen before. Will it pay off and warrant a second season of Barbarians Rising ? It's unfortunate that the first season received mixed reviews, as is bound to happen with anything that completely creates a new format. And the show's ratings weren't particularly stellar - the show's third episode only had 210,000 viewers, according to Nielsen ratings data from Showbuzz Daily.
The clearest sign about the future of Barbarian Rise, however, is that it was originally billed as a "limited series," meaning history may have never intended it to extend beyond these eight episodes. If the show does very well, it could still return despite its limited status, but with that title and lower ratings, Monday night's season finale could be the show's last. So while we wait to see if Barbarian Rise will return, you can check out other series that tackle similar themes.
Rome
Love the Roman setting of Barbarians Rising but want the Romans to return to power? Well, HBO's classic series about the era of Julius Caesar should be the perfect solution, as the production values are very high and all three seasons are available to stream on HBOGo.
barbarian
The closest predecessor to Barbarians Rising is another 2000 miniseries from History. This is a two-season documentary, with each episode delving into a barbarian culture that achieved particularly notable military successes.
Spartacus
If Spartacus, the former slave turned populist rebel leader introduced in the episode "Barbarians Rising, " sparked your imagination, then you should binge-watch this Starz series. It's gorier and grittier than the History series, so be warned, it's very firmly on the NSFW side of the TV divide.
Marco Polo
Kublai Khan may not have been a "barbarian," but to the people his family conquered, the Khans were outsiders with backward customs. It's a big part of Netflix's big-budget series Marco Polo . Season 1 was a bit slow, but Season 2 is already looking to be a lot more exciting - and Khan is always the best part.
"The Savages" by Terry Jones
If all these “barbaric” statements bother you because they represent a limited view of history, then I have the perfect series for you. In 2006, the BBC examined what it means to be a savage.
Vikings
After watching Terry Jones's Savages , you should know not to think twice about Vikings, but this scripted series follows a tribe bound by tradition and family, who often draw Face rides into battle.
Whether or not history dictates that Barbarian Rise should be renewed for another season, if you like limited series, these other series are definitely worth checking out.
Image: Elena Nenkova or Simon Vasano, Jonathan Hession/HISTORY; Jiffy(2); Phil Bray/NETFLIX
