Television has always been drawn to war stories, especially those filled with action and drama. What makes them even more addictive is the reminder that these events were real and not so distant in history. Among these shows, Band of Brothers remains unbeatable in the list of war shows.

Created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the series not only showed the reality of the army’s first paratrooper regiment, but also the clashing personalities involved. Still, Band of Brothers is only one example of many war dramas produced for television. With that in mind, here are the war shows we thought would be the next Band of Brothers.

‘The Pacific’ (2010)

Image via HBO

No other miniseries is more similar to Band of Brothers than The Pacific. Another collaboration helmed by Hanks and Spielberg, with the addition of Gary Goetzman. The Pacific goes across the seas, following the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Instead of focusing on just one regiment, The Pacific follows several members of the Marines of different regiments. From Iwo Jima to Guadalcanal, the war against Japanese forces literally transcends the oceans.

With many of the battles taking place on islands, audiences may be reminded of the visuals comparable to Saving Private Ryan. However, instead of the adrenaline of the first hit, The Pacific takes even more time for a more immersive experience, truly plunging audiences into the middle of nowhere, war-torn Pacific. The miniseries isn’t here to glorify war. In retrospect, it emphasizes the horrors of what these regular men had to endure. No matter what rank or regiment they are in, these men are molded by the bloodshed they’ve witnessed away from home.

‘Masters of the Air’ (2024)

Spielberg and Hanks have taken viewers everywhere with their war-related projects. From the ground to the sea, this time, they bring audiences high into the skies. Set during German-occupied Europe, Masters of the Air follows best friends and U.S. Army Air Forces bomber pilots, Majors Gale “Buck” Cleven (Austin Butler) and John “Bucky” Egan (Callum Turner), stationed with the 100th Bomb Group in England, flying B-17 bombers. Together, they take part in a death-defying offensive against German fighters.

Unlike the grounded camaraderies of foot soldiers or the collective disassociation from home at sea, serving in the air force is a truly isolating experience. True to its title, Masters of the Air presents the crème de la crème of aerial warfare. After all, they are masters of their B-17 planes. The risk is even greater since bomber crews face higher casualty rates. Although these men fly alongside their brothers in war, they remain alone in a metal contraption, waiting to attack or be attacked.

‘Birdsong’ (2012)

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All’s not quite fair in love and war. Although not as deadly, romantic affairs can be just as tumultuous. Birdsong follows Stephen Wraysford (Eddie Redmayne), who’s caught up in both World War I and the memories of a pre-war affair with Isabelle Azaire (Clémence Poésy). As he tries to survive in the trench warfare alongside Royal Engineers tunnellers, he finds solace in his army companion. But nothing during this period is guaranteed. Soon enough, Stephen will learn that life after war isn’t the beacon of sunlight he had hoped for.

War is often associated with guns and explosions. Meanwhile, Birdsong presents a strikingly different reality of war. Those who have watched Peaky Blinders and are familiar with Tommy Shelby’s past as a tunneller will recognize the role. It is dark, claustrophobic, and, if they’re not careful, suffocating. Although the illicit romance plays a significant emotional role in the series, it is the surprising brotherhood forged during the Battle of the Somme that becomes the series’ true core.

‘Our World War’ (2014)

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In war, soldiers don’t go hard — they go ham. Our World War is based on three true stories of British soldiers fighting in World War 1. From early clashes at Mons to the formation of a Pals battalion from Manchester, to the later use of tanks in battles like Amiens, Our World War captures the different stages of war. While the action is something straight out of a movie, the events are very real and mortifying.

Utilizing modern camera techniques like bodycams and overhead filming, Our World War has the aesthetic of a current action thriller. Top that off with an equally contemporary soundtrack from PJ Harvey, and the series carries a fictional, almost too brutal to be true, feel. But don’t be fooled by its style. At its core, it is a stylized documentary, much like Band of Brothers. The modern approach is meant to show that the World Wars are not as distant from today as they may seem.

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

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The war is the last place to find humor. But if it works as a coping mechanism, well, no harm to that. Generation Kill tracks a Rolling Stone reporter who is caught up with the 1st Recon Marines during the first wave of the American-led assault on Baghdad in 2003. Through his eyes, the series shows the Battalion’s role in the invasion of Iraq. The soldiers might have the guts to go into battle, but in actuality, they’re a ragtag team of self-deprecating misfits.

Audiences are familiar with war battles, but the day-to-day reality of military life is rarely portrayed. Generation Kill provides an authentic look into Marine Recon units when they’re out of uniform. Considering that war is a hypermasculine environment, the show portrays these aggressive personalities, which are a product of the harsh conditions that are merciless against them. More importantly, the boredom of waiting for a battle is the main theme in Generation Kill, which affects how a brotherhood is affected by bursts of violence and causing mental instability.

Gallipoli (2015)

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While most war depictions focus on battles between major Axis and Allied powers, they rarely show the supporting units involved. In the cast of Gallipoli, the story follows the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) in the Gallipoli Peninsula of Turkey. The miniseries follows 17-year-old Thomas “Tolly” Johnson (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who lies about his age to enlist alongside his brother Bevan (Harry Greenwood), ultimately finding himself on the front lines of Gallipoli.

On top of exploring an overlooked part of war history, Gallipoli delivers a brutal portrayal of army life that calls patriotism into question. At the end of the day, these are ordinary men assigned to do their duty. They’re not mythic heroes, just young soldiers leaving their families behind to serve their country, whatever that meant at the time. What’s even more gut-wrenching is the sense of institutional betrayal, as seen from the military mismanagement that marked the Gallipoli campaign as one of the most disastrous during World War I.

‘Home Fires’ (2015–2016)

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It’s always brotherhood in battle. But far away from enemy lines, the women of Home Fires find sisterhood in each other as they await their loved ones to return home. The series follows women in a rural Cheshire community as World War II changes their lives. Led by Frances Barden, the Women’s Institute becomes more egalitarian while supporting wartime efforts like food production and civil defense. As the war separates families, the women encounter abuse and losses of their own.

The message behind Home Fires is straightforward: behind every man is a woman, even in war. On a broader scale, the series shows women taking initiative, organizing community support efforts, and building air raid shelters. On a more personal level, they become the emotional backbone for their male counterparts, enduring hardship and protecting loved ones from the dangers of war. If that’s enough, they still have to find their own footing, including questions of identity and sexuality.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex-husband, Tate Paul, asked police about getting a protective order for the former couple’s children after her 2023 domestic violence arrest.

In a phone call audio and transcripts obtained by Us Weekly on Friday, March 27, Tate asked Utah police to clarify what legal protections were put in place for his children following Taylor’s arrest.

In February 2023, Taylor was accused of striking her then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and throwing multiple chairs, one of which allegedly struck her daughter, Indy. (Taylor and Tate welcomed daughter Indy May, 8, and son Ocean, 5, before splitting in May 2022. The Mormon Wives star also shares a son, Ever True, 2, with Dakota.)

“That was one thing I didn’t understand. There’s a no contact order for [redacted]. Usually they do it for both children that are in the home, right?” Tate said on the call.

Related: Inside Taylor Frankie Paul and Ex Tate’s Custody, Child Support Agreement

As Taylor Frankie Paul’s alleged domestic dispute with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen continues to make headlines, her marriage and divorce from ex-husband Tate Paul has been thrust back into the limelight. Taylor, 31, was married to Tate for six years before they divorced in summer 2022. Taylor announced their split during a viral TikTok video where […]

After the police officer confirmed that was usually how it worked, Tate continued, “Okay, because I didn’t see a protective order against [redacted]. She’s been like, obviously trying to contact [redacted] as well, just given her mental state…”

The officer explained that an initial “jail release agreement” was likely put in place, which meant the alleged offender was “not allowed to make contact with the potential victims for up to, like, a week, usually.”

He added that Tate was also able to apply for a full protective order to protect his children, which is a more long-term option.

In the same phone call, Tate detailed some of his daughter’s injuries from the incident, claiming his daughter had a bump on the head from Taylor’s chair-throwing incident. He also asked police to contact him directly about the case as opposed to Taylor’s mother Liann May, who he accused of “coaching” his daughter following the dispute.

Us Weekly has reached out to Taylor’s, Tate’s and Liann’s representatives for comment.

In 2023, Taylor was initially charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child following her altercation with Dakota. After Taylor agreed to plead guilty to aggravated assault, the other charges were dismissed.

The case resurfaced earlier this month amid the release of cellphone footage of the 2023 domestic dispute, where Taylor could be seen throwing chairs during an argument with Dakota. Taylor’s spokesperson later suggested that the footage was selectively edited.

Related: What to Know About Taylor Frankie Paul and Ex Dakota’s Custody Battle

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have tried to coparent son Ever since their fall 2024 split. Paul and Mortensen welcomed their first baby together, the MomTok content creator’s third, in March 2024, months before they called it quits. As Paul and Mortensen navigated jointly raising their son, […]

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“It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child,” her spokesperson told TMZ on March 19. “Releasing an old and selectively edited video on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.”

Dakota’s rep told Us, “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”

After the footage resurfaced, ABC axed Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette three days before it was scheduled to premiere.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” her rep told Us at the time. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”

Valerie Bertinelli has pulled back the curtains on her struggle with body image as she opened up about her “deformed” breasts.

The “Murder of Innocence” star detailed how she’d always hated her naturally small breasts and chose to get implants to add some girth, but things went sideways and left her more “embarrassed.”

Valerie Bertinelli is looking forward to what makes her happy, which includes watching her son Wolfgang Van Halen on stage, as well as her return to home cooking.

Why Valerie Bertinelli Said She Has ‘Deformed’ Breasts

Valerie Bertinelli got candid about her struggles with her appearance during a conversation with Drew Barrymore discussing her recent memoir, “Getting Naked.”

In the book, the “Night Sins” actress detailed how she had multiple surgeries on her breasts, but things went sideways and eventually led to her having “deformed” breasts. And in her chat with Barrymore, she described the situation in vivid detail.

She said, “I mean, if you read the book, you’ll know that my boobs are deformed, and I talk very extensively and graphically about how deformed they are. I had four surgeries in 2024. But Drew is like, ‘How bad can it be?’ I’m like, ‘Really?’”

Bertinelli then mimicked opening her blouse and said that Barrymore was like, “Oh yeah, that’s bad.”

“I love her honesty,” she added. “It’s like, I can trust this woman.”

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Barrymore then chimed in, “And then I proceeded to be like, ‘here’s what we can do.’”

“My boobs suck, but I’m not dating, so it doesn’t matter,” Bertinelli added, per Fox News Digital, with Barrymore interjecting, “Yet.”

The Actress Opened Up About How The Situation Came To Be

In “Getting Naked,” which was released March 10, Bertinelli narrated that she had always hated her small breasts and decided to get small implants just to add some weight.

However, the results turned out more outrageous than she’d envisaged, which left her “embarrassed” to the point that she had to hide them.

“After I got the implants, I never put them on display. I tried to hide them even, embarrassed that I had done it,” she wrote.

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The actress then suffered a terrible fall and had to undergo surgery to take out the old implants and have smaller ones installed some 6 weeks later.

However, just a week into it, she started experiencing discoloration and swelling in the region, and felt herself “getting dizzy.” She stated that she would also run a fever at night, and sometimes her temperature went up to 104 degrees.

Valerie Bertinelli Described The Moment She Knew Things Had Gone Bad

The “Silent Witness” actress described the moment she realized things had spiraled out of control in an interaction with People Magazine earlier this month.

“The look on my doctor’s face when he finally saw me made me think, ‘Oh sh-t, I guess I should have come in earlier.’ And he took everything out [the implant and the surrounding tissues], and then my breast became infected and started to cave in on itself. It became a crater,” Bertinelli shared.

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“I have to have one more surgery to even them out,” she told the news outlet. “Me and these guys (pointing to two of her cats, Henry and Batman, along with Luna) are the only ones looking at my boobs anyway, but I don’t care because I can’t see without my glasses on … I’ll have to date somebody who can’t see.”

“Anyway, those were my boobs,” she added. “Anybody want to date me? It was so serious I just had to find the humor in it.”

The Actress Says She’s ‘Lucky To Have Survived’ The Infection

Despite Bertinelli’s condition at the time, she wanted to go to a Jon Bon Jovi concert in which her son, Wolfgang Van Halen, was playing.

However, he and his wife kept her from it, with the actress admitting she was “bummed” to have missed it.

“The have-you-lost-your-mind looks they gave me all said the same thing: ‘What part about almost dying from an infection don’t you get?’” she wrote.

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According to Fox News, she noted that she’s “lucky to have survived” the infection and scare that resulted afterwards.

Valerie Bertinelli Is Focusing On What Makes Her Happy

Bertinelli is currently focusing on what makes her happy after her near-death experience.

This includes watching her son, Wolfgang, on stage and on tour, as well as working on the “Drew Barrymore Show” as part of the “Drew Crew” of lifestyle experts.

She is also excited about her return to home cooking following the new launch of the digital platform “Valerie’s Place,” and watching long videos of birds on YouTube with her cats.

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Shia LaBeouf is showing a very different side of his relationship, just days after a tense public moment caught on camera. The actor was spotted in Los Angeles walking arm-in-arm with his girlfriend, appearing relaxed and affectionate as they crossed the street together. LaBeouf carried takeout containers and a drink, while his girlfriend casually sipped from a bottle and held onto his arm. Shia LaBeouf’s latest sighting painted a noticeably calmer picture of the couple following last week’s viral video that showed a much more heated exchange.

Shia LaBeouf Reunites With Girlfriend After Explosive Fight

The new outing comes shortly after footage surfaced of LaBeouf losing his temper during a confrontation with his girlfriend outside a restaurant in Rome. In the video, the actor could be heard shouting “F-ck off” during the argument, while his girlfriend appeared relatively unfazed by the outburst.

The clip continued to show LaBeouf yelling down the street as she walked away, adding to the intensity of the moment that quickly made headlines.

Despite the explosive nature of the argument, the couple’s latest appearance, as reported by TMZ, suggests they may have moved past the incident. Walking closely together and appearing at ease, the two seemed to be on good terms again, offering a stark contrast to the tension seen just days earlier.

The affectionate body language and casual outing hinted that whatever disagreement had taken place may already be behind them.

FKA Twigs Takes LaBeouf Back To Court Over NDA

The personal drama comes as LaBeouf faces renewed legal attention from his ex, FKA Twigs. The singer-songwriter has filed a new lawsuit challenging parts of a nondisclosure agreement tied to their previously settled case, claiming it is being used to silence her.

According to the filing, Twigs is asking the court to block enforcement of certain provisions, arguing that the agreement restricts her ability to speak not only about her own experiences but also about sexual violence more broadly.

Twigs’ legal team made it clear that the case carries broader implications beyond her individual situation. Barnett “files this action to right a wrong, and also on behalf of other women who are the victims of sexual and domestic violence who do not have the resources to speak out and defend themselves from predators,” attorney Mathew Rosengart wrote in the complaint.

He added that “In so doing, she seeks to ensure that survivors of sexual misconduct are not bullied or silenced like she was.”

Shia LaBeouf Reportedly Causing Tension With New Orleans Tennis Club Members

The latest headlines surrounding LaBeouf don’t stop there. The actor is also reportedly at the center of a separate situation in New Orleans, where he’s been accused of unsettling behavior by members of a local tennis club near his home.

As The Blast previously reported, members of the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club were recently warned about a “new neighborhood resident whose continued outbursts have affected the club environment.” An insider claimed LaBeouf is the individual in question, alleging that he has been sitting on his porch across from one of the club’s exits and yelling at members as they come and go.

LaBeouf Breaks Silence After Mardi Gras Arrest

The reported incidents come just weeks after LaBeouf’s arrest during a Mardi Gras celebration.

“My behavior… I gotta deal with that. Does that mean I gotta go to rehab again? I’m just not into it, bro,” the actor said after his arrest made headlines. “I don’t think my answers are there. I don’t. I really, genuinely, don’t. If I genuinely did, I’d go. I don’t think I have a drinking problem. I think I have a different problem, and I’m gonna address it.”

He believes that he has “a small-man complex.”

Shia LaBeouf Taken Back Into Custody Following New Charge

Shia LaBeouf’s legal troubles didn’t end with his initial arrest. Shortly after his interview made headlines, the actor was reportedly taken back into custody after authorities issued a new warrant tied to the same February 17 altercation. He was charged with an additional misdemeanor count of simple battery.

According to reports, LaBeouf voluntarily turned himself in once the warrant was issued.

At this point in Anthony Mackie’s career, he’s best known for his role as Sam Wilson in the MCU. He first began his MCU career as a complementary piece to Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, but he’s since stepped into his own as the new Captain America. He headlined his first solo movie last year with Captain America: Brave New World, and he’s set to star in a vital role later this year in Avengers: Doomsday, the first Marvel tentpole event film since 2019. Even in the years since his MCU career began, though, Mackie has starred in plenty of other projects that have received their due, either in theaters or on streaming. Back in 2024, Mackie teamed up with a fellow MCU star, Morena Baccarin, for Elevation. The alien invasion sci-fi film is currently streaming on HBO Max in America.

However, Elevation was far from the first sci-fi project Mackie starred in that wasn’t attached to the MCU. Back in 2020, Anthony Mackie took over the role that Joel Kinnaman originated in the second season of Altered Carbon, the hard sci-fi series set in a dystopian future where consciousness is digitized and stored. It follows a prisoner who wakes up in a new body and must solve a murder to win back his freedom. The show aired its first season starring Kinnaman in 2018, and it returned two years later with its sophomore outing starring Mackie, which was met with strong critical reception before being review-bombed by audiences. Still, despite all this mixed reception, Altered Carbon is still one of Netflix’s most popular watches, and the perfect weekend sci-fi binge for fans of great sci-fi TV shows.

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What Else Is Anthony Mackie Working On?

Before he returns in Avengers: Doomsday this year, Mackie has other projects in the works to be excited about. On April 24, he’ll return and star in a new action movie titled Desert Warrior, which co-stars Ben Kingsley. Mackie will also make his highly anticipated TV return in 12 12 12, a new series currently in post-production that’s expected to premiere before the end of this year, but it is still lacking an official release date. After he reprises his role as Sam Wilson in Avengers: Doomsday, he will also return in Avengers: Secret Wars one year later, all but assuring he’ll survive the first chapter of the war with Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.).

Check out both seasons of Altered Carbon on Netflix, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Mackie’s future projects.

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Release Date

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2018 – 2020-00-00

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Alex Graves, Ciaran Donnelly, M.J. Bassett, Nick Hurran, Peter Hoar, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Uta Briesewitz, Jeremy Webb, Andy Goddard, Miguel Sapochnik

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Writers

Brian Nelson, Garrett Lerner, Russel Friend, Steve Blackman, Adam Lash, Laeta Kalogridis, Nevin Densham, Alison Schapker

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