Love Bridgerton? 10 Period Drama Shows To Binge-Watch

Bridgerton, famous for its lavish costumes, opulent settings, and vibrant, modern approach to storytelling, is back with season 3. It follows the lives, loves, and scandals of the titular Bridgerton family, a high-society family in early 19th-century London. The matriarch, Violet Bridgerton, navigates her children through the complexities of Regency-era social season, where young women are presented at court hoping to find suitable husbands.

Lined with feminist undertones, diverse casting, Regency-era fashion, the show never fails to deliver on a binge-worthy scale. But what do we do after speed-consuming every episode? We got you! Fortunately, scandal, impeccable art direction and women destroying the patriarchy are some things that never go out of style.

The Great

This series is a hilarious, irreverent take on the life of Catherine the Great, one of Russia's most famous and formidable rulers. So if you’re in the mood for something smart, funny, and a bit outrageous, give "The Great" a shot. It's a refreshing take on history that doesn't take itself too seriously, but still manages to tell a compelling story about power, ambition, and transformation. It’s beautifully shot, with stunning costumes and sets that bring the opulence of the Russian court to life. Plus, the performances are top-notch. Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult have great chemistry, and their banter is one of the highlights of the show.

Harlots

Harlots is a gripping, unapologetically bold drama set in 18th-century London. Harlots is more than just a show about brothels; it’s a deep dive into the lives of women who used what little power they had to carve out a place for themselves. It’s dramatic, empowering, and full of twists and turns that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It combines gritty realism with lush, period drama aesthetics and is packed with drama, power struggles, and some seriously fierce characters.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

The show is like getting a backstage pass to the life of one of the most intriguing characters from the "Bridgerton" series. Queen Charlotte, played by Golda Rosheuvel in the original series and India Amarteifio in her younger years, is this strong, witty, and sometimes very strict monarch. She’s got a huge presence in Bridgerton, always at the centre of all the high-society drama, and now we get to see how her story began.

Gentleman Jack

Gentleman Jack is a fantastic series that takes us back to the 1830s in England. It’s based on the real-life diaries of Anne Lister, a woman who was way ahead of her time. She’s like the original badass, breaking all sorts of social norms and just living her best life. Anne is a landowner and businesswoman, which is pretty rare for a woman in that era, and she’s openly pursuing romantic relationships with women, which is practically unheard of! It’s entertaining, empowering, and will leave you inspired by Anne Lister’s incredible journey.

The Gilded Age

The show is set in the 1880s, during the Gilded Age – a time when America’s economy was booming, and the rich were getting richer, often in the most extravagant ways possible. It’s a time when the old-money families are clinging to their traditions, and the new-money upstarts are shaking things up with their modern ways and massive fortunes. Think of it as a dazzling tug-of-war between the past and the future.

Ghosts

Ghosts is set in a huge, old, slightly decrepit mansion called Button House. But it’s not just any old house – it’s haunted by a few ghosts from different eras who all have their personalities, quirks, and unfinished business. The humour is clever and often comes from the ghosts’ attempts to understand and interfere in the modern world, with lots of hilarious cultural clashes and misunderstandings.

Sanditon 

Sanditon is a fantastic period drama based on Jane Austen’s last, unfinished novel. It’s a bit like if Downton Abbey took a vacation to a quaint seaside town, with all the social intrigue and romance you’d expect from an Austen story.

Dickinson 

Dickinson is a quirky, modern twist on the life of Emily Dickinson (played by Hailee Steinfeld), who, as you might know, was an amazingly talented but often misunderstood poet from the 19th century. The show is as if someone took Emily’s poetry, added a dash of teen angst, a sprinkle of modern slang, and stirred it up with some historical fantasy. Each episode kind of feels like a mini-adventure where Emily explores her creative mind and her struggles with societal norms. One moment she’s at a formal dance; the next, she’s chatting with Death himself (played by Wiz Khalifa, no less), or throwing a wild party in her mind.

Victoria

The show follows the life and reign of Queen Victoria, who ascended to the throne of England at just 18 years old. It’s kind of like stepping into a grand period drama where you get to see behind the royal curtains and into the personal and political life of one of Britain’s most iconic monarchs.

The Empress

The Empress is a captivating historical drama that takes us deep into the life of a remarkable female ruler. As a female ruler in a male-dominated world, the Empress confronts societal expectations and challenges stereotypes about women in positions of power. If you’re drawn to stories of strong women who defy the odds and shape history, The Empress is a must-watch. It’s rich in historical detail, filled with compelling characters, and explores themes that resonate across time and culture.