The appeal of a truly great period drama lies in its ability to transport the viewer to another time and place. How else to explain the pleasure of watching a historical show about secret romances and jaw-dropping scandals of high society during New York’s Gilded Age or a royal family tumultuous by their king’s many affairs?
The most apt example of this might be the delightful third season of Bridgerton, Shonda Rhimes’ delightful Regency-era series, the first half of which is now streaming on Netflix, which will no doubt give the ton (and the kind readers watching from home) plenty to talk about with its fantastic costumes, new plot twists and spicy stories. Those who binge the first four episodes quickly (the next four are due June 13th) and are still looking for a period drama fix You’re in luck – there are a multitude of historical programs that provide chills, thrills and lots of romance across various eras and countries.
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From Regency-era dramas to Renaissance romances, here are the best period drama TV shows to watch right now.
Read more: TV Dramas About British Royals, Ranked By Obscenity
Call the midwife
Inspired by Jennifer Worth’s memoir of the same name about her time as a nurse and midwife in London’s East End in the 1950s, the show centers on a group of midwives, nurses and nuns who work at Nonnatus House. Drama and hilarious antics ensue as the team helps care for and welcome new lives to the expectant mothers and families of Poplar, England.
Where to watch: Netflixcurrent season in PBS
Dickinson
The rich inner life of an emerging poet is explored in Dickinson, the captivating and hilarious coming-of-age series of young Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld). Investigating the mythology surrounding the famous reclusive poet, the show is a charming and absurd reinterpretation of one of the most beloved voices in the literary world.
Where to watch: AppleTV+
Downton Abbey
The upstairs-downstairs drama is more attractive and addictive in Downton Abbey, a series centered on the wealthy and noble Crawley family and the team of servants who maintain their lifestyle on their country estate in Yorkshire.a. From family tensions and torrid affairs to premature deaths and social change, the Crawleys provide a compelling vision of the final days of the aristocracy and their dying way of life in post-Edwardian England.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Peacock
Prostitutes
Two warring brothels in 18th century London provide the high-stakes drama that fuels the raunchy historical drama Prostitutes. The series centers on Margaret Wells (Samantha Morton), a tenacious madam and brothel owner, who is determined to provide a better life for herself and her two daughters, whatever the cost. Come for the strong female-driven stories and stay for the truly memorable costumes.
Where to watch: Hulu
Mad Men
The sophisticated glamor of the 1960s advertising world is the backdrop for Mad Men, a dark drama that revolves around the charismatic, yet hard-drinking, womanizing executive Don Draper (Jon Hamm). The series, which focuses on the tensions in Don’s professional and personal life, as well as the many secrets he keeps, is also a close observation of the rapidly changing social landscape of America in the 1960s.
Where to watch: AMC+
Mary and George
Based on the novel The King’s Killer, Mary and George follows a family’s scandalous rise to power and wealth thanks to the intrigues of an ambitious, status-hungry mother, Mary Villiers (Julianne Moore), the Countess of Buckingham. In seven episodes, she rises to influence by helping her son George (Nicholas Galitzine) become the mistress of King James I of England, although it soon becomes clear that Mary and George are willing to resort to nefarious tactics to maintain their new status.
Where to watch: Star
Reign
In ReignThe life of a young Mary, Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane), is a soapy drama, as she faces an arranged marriage, an overbearing mother-in-law, the pressures of court life and a distant cousin (Elizabeth I of England, you’ve heard of her?) who is trying to claim his throne.
Where to watch: The C.W., Amazon Prime
Sanditon
Based on Jane Austen’s last unfinished novel of the same name Sanditon It has all the hallmarks required of the author: a spunky heroine, a bevy of handsome suitors, and plenty of Regency-era drama. After moving to the sleepy seaside town of Sanditon, independent Charlotte (Rose Williams) seeks a fresh start, but finds her plans complicated by romance. From meeting a new friend, West Indian heiress Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke), to falling in love with witty gentleman Sidney Parker (Theo James), Charlotte navigates many unexpected connections.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, PBS passport
The Borgias
The notoriety that revolves around the infamous and powerful Borgia family, which dominated Italy during the Renaissance after its patriarch Rodrigo became pope, is rich fodder for The Borgias. Full of hedonism, betrayal, ruthless cruelty and even murder, the show is a salacious historical romp through one of Italy’s most colorful chapters.
Where to watch: Paramount+, Hulu
The Buccaneers
Based on the unfinished novel of the same name by Edith Wharton The Buccaneers is an animated adventure into the world of 1870s London high society, seen through the eyes of five American heiresses. Starring Kristen Froseth and Imogen Waterhouse as the vivacious St. George sisters at the forefront of the group, the young women must navigate cultural conflicts, romantic entanglements and interpersonal drama in their search for high-ranking husbands.
Where to watch: AppleTV+
The Empress
When free-spirited Duchess Elisabeth “Sisi” von Wittelsbach of Bavaria (Devrim Lingnau) accompanies her family to meet her older sister’s potential husband, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria (Philip Froissant), an unexpected connection with the emperor leads Sisi getting married. Franz and become the empress. It’s a twist of fate that drastically alters Sisi’s life, changes the course of Austrian history and helps make her one of Vienna’s most iconic and beloved figures.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Golden Age
Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes returns to the familiar subject matter of money, power and class, albeit from across the ocean with The Golden Age. Set in the late 19th century in a rapidly changing New York City, the series focuses on the tensions between new and old wealthy families in high society as advances in technology and industry and enormous cultural and political changes change the world around them. While the show’s ostentatiously grand sets and costumes are a feast for the eyes, the show’s real draw is its wealth of star-studded talent, which includes Christine Baranski, Audra McDonald, and Cynthia Nixon.
Where to watch: Max.
The big
The epic story of Empress Catherine the Great of Russia gets a cheeky satirical makeover with The bigan irreverent comedy drama created by The favorite screenwriter, Tony McNamara. Loosely based on the rise of Catherine, who began life as a Prussian princess with little power and became one of Russia’s most powerful leaders (after successfully starting a rebellion against her then-husband, Emperor Peter III), the series stars by Elle Fanning. as Catherine and Nicholas Hoult as Peter.
Where to watch: Hulu
The Snake Queen
Catherine de Medici, one of the most misunderstood monarchs of the 16th century, takes center stage The Snake Queen. The series follows Catherine (played by Samantha Morton and Liv Hill, as the older and younger Catherine, respectively) from her youth as an orphaned Italian teenager to her 30-year reign as Queen of France. As she rises to power, she faces a loveless marriage, the demands of an heir, and a cruel court life to become one of the most influential—and notorious—rulers of all time.
Where to watch: Star
The Spanish princess
Based on the novels by Philippa Gregory The Constant Princess It is The King’s Curse, The Spanish princess tells the story of how the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon became queen of England. The show follows Catherine’s journey as a teenager to meet Prince Arthur, the heir apparent to the King of England, to whom she was betrothed as a child in a political agreement that promises to bring peace between Spain and England. Conflicts arise, however, when Arthur suddenly dies and Catherine has to find a way to save the fate of both countries and her path to the throne, which leads her to marry Arthur’s brother, Henry VIII – becoming The first of his six wives.
Where to watch: Star
The Tudors
The scandalous story behind King Henry VIII of England and his six wives comes to life in this raunchy series, The Tudors. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the polarizing king, the show focuses not only on his many affairs and relationships in pursuit of securing a male heir, but on how his rule forever changed religion, politics and infrastructure in England.
Where to watch: Paramount+, Hulu, Fubo TV
Outlander
Based on the novel of the same name by Diana Gabaldon Outlander centers on Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a former WWII nurse whose happy married life is disrupted when she time travels back to 1743 Scotland, where she becomes involved in a steamy romance with Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a Scottish warrior. , leading to an epic love triangle that spans time and space. The result is two period dramas contained in one exciting spectacle.
Where to watch: Netflix, Funda TV,
Palma Real
Things are not exactly what they seem Palma Real, the stylish comedy about Maxine (Kristen Wiig), a plucky social climber in 1969 Palm Beach who is learning how far she will go to be accepted into the titular exclusive club by its snooty clientele. She soon discovers that this high society circle has many secrets of its own, ranging from clandestine lovers to attempted murder.
Where to watch: AppleTV+
Peaky Blinders
The exciting but nefarious underworld of organized crime in 1920s post-war Britain is the inspiration for Peaky Blinders, which revolves around a powerful street gang of the same name led by the Shelby family and their icy patriarch, Thomas “Tommy” Shelby (Cillian Murphy). In the gritty Peaky Blinders universe, robbery and extortion are common trades, while violence and brutality are simply a way of life. For Tommy, a truly compelling antihero, power and revenge are the only forms of salvation he can find from his demons, making the show a relentless pursuit of both.
Where to watch: Netflix
Queen Charlotte
The complex and compelling backstory of Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) is rich fodder for BridgertonThe prequel of the same name. The series, which is loosely based on the real-life story of Queen Charlotte and her husband, King George III of England, offers a nuanced look at the franchise’s most formidable character. Starring India Amarteifo as the fiercely independent young Queen Charlotte, the show tackles everything from her racial identity as the possible first black Queen of England to her truly epic love marriage to young George (Corey Mylchreest), resulting in what may be the best offer. in Bridgerton universe.
Where to watch: Netflix
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
