International Women’s Day: Real-life inspired shows based on real women’s lives you can stream in India

With International Women's Day approaching, it is the perfect time to revisit some of these compelling stories.

• Five series inspired by real women are streaming in India.
• Stories feature Ruth Ellis, Joan Hannington, and Queen Elizabeth II.
• Maid portrays a young mother overcoming poverty and abuse.

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Stories inspired by real lives often resonate more deeply than pure fiction. They carry the weight of truth and reflect the emotional complexities of people who have lived through extraordinary circumstances.

With International Women's Day approaching, it is the perfect time to revisit some of these compelling stories. Several of them are currently available for streaming in India on popular platforms such as BBC Player, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. If you enjoy series inspired by real events and remarkable individuals, here are five that deserve a place on your watchlist.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story

One of Britain’s most widely discussed criminal cases forms the basis of this gripping drama, which tells the story of Ruth Ellis — the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. Set in the 1950s, the series revisits the tragic sequence of events that led Ellis to shoot her lover, David Blakely, outside a London pub in 1955.

Actor Lucy Boynton leads the cast with a nuanced performance that captures Ellis’s vulnerability as well as the emotional turmoil that shaped her life. Directed by Lee Haven Jones, the show, which is available on BBC Player, goes beyond the crime itself. It explores the social pressures, abusive relationships and intense public scrutiny that surrounded Ellis during that era.

Joan

Inspired by the real-life story of British jewel thief Joan Hannington, this stylish crime drama offers

a fascinating look at a woman who forged her own path within London’s criminal underworld during the 1980s.

In the series, Sophie Turner portrays Joan as a young mother determined to break free from an abusive marriage and create a better future for her daughter. As the story unfolds, she evolves into a daring jewel thief known for her ability to blend into high society while secretly living a life of crime.

The Crown

Created by Peter Morgan for Netflix, The Crown chronicles the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II across several decades. The series captures the delicate balance between the monarch’s personal life and the responsibilities that come with leading the British royal family. Different actresses portray the queen at various stages of her life, including Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton.

Blending major historical moments with intimate family dynamics, the show offers a thoughtful portrayal of a woman who spent much of her life under intense public scrutiny.

Also read: Australian High Commission celebrates Women’s Day with 'Dhurandhar' tribute to diplomats. Video

Maid

Based on the memoir by Stephanie Land, this deeply emotional series tells the story of a young

mother trying to rebuild her life after escaping poverty and domestic abuse.

Actor Margaret Qualley plays Alex, a woman who begins working as a house cleaner in order to support herself and her young daughter after leaving an abusive relationship. Created by Molly Smith Metzler, the series explores the financial and emotional struggles faced by women living on the margins of society. Directors, including John Wells, bring a grounded and intimate approach to the storytelling, allowing the audience to connect deeply with Alex’s journey.