Widely known as teen heartthrob Tim Riggins from "Friday Night Lights," Taylor Kitsch has most recently transformed into David Koresh, the famous cult leader in Waco, Texas in 1993. The miniseries, simply titled "Waco," focuses on the 51-day siege between the FBI and the self-proclaimed Branch Davidians under Koresh's leadership.

The Branch Davidians

This cult actually lived in a compound at Mount Carmel, outside of the town of Waco. Koresh was the leader, criticized for having multiple wives (some underage), and additionally having children with these wives.

Melissa Benoist of "Supergirl" gives a stunning performance of Koresh's first wife, Rachel. She holds a strong presence until the very end when she breaks viewers hearts as she dies trying to save the other women and children.

Other key figures are Michael Shannon, portraying real-life FBI negotiator Gary Noesner, and Rory Culkin, portraying real-life Davidian survivor David Thibodeau.

The story

25 years ago, the ATF closed in on Mount Carmel with a search warrant regarding weapons violations and sexual abuse allegations. February 28, 1993, 78 ATF agents approached the compound in an 80-vehicle convoy. The series shows the ATF firing shots into the compound, and the Davidians defending themselves by shooting back.

Four ATF agents were killed, 16 wounded, and five Branch Davidians were killed once a cease-fire was called.

Over the next 51 days, there were thousands of calls between Koresh and the FBI, particularly with Gary Noesner. The real dialogue was used from these negotiations, in which Koresh insisted that he was waiting for a sign from God.

Before the Davidians could follow through with their surrender, the FBI infiltrated the compound with tear gas on April 19, 1993.

76 people were killed—25 of which were children—in the resulting fire that consumed the compound.

How much of what's portrayed is true?

Here are the facts: 76 people were killed in the fire; David Koresh died from a gunshot wound to the head; 35 people were freed before the events of April 19.

The real-life David Thibideau insists that the fire started was due to the flammable tear gas forced in by the FBI. FBI agents insist that Koresh started the fire himself to destroy evidence of the crime scene and fulfill a mass suicide. The show's creators, Drew and John Erick Dowdle, recently told The Ringer that they simply wanted to explore who the Branch Davidians were, without explicitly choosing a side.

David Koresh is not meant to be portrayed as sympathetic and innocent, nor is the FBI meant to be portrayed as the bad guys and the guilty party. Viewers can take whatever truth they see fit away from the series.

Plainly put, this series is a must watch for those who missed it, with exquisite performances from all actors and a powerful message to stay with you once it's all over.

"Waco" aired on the Paramount Network from January 24 to February 28.
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