'The Great' To 'Dickinson': Historical Romance Television Series You Should Watch

Based on Julia Quinn's selection of novels, the American historical-romance television series is American television production company Shondaland's first scripted production for Netflix and was conceived by Chris Van Dusen. The story centres on the titular Bridgerton family and is set in the competitive world of Regency-era London's tonne during the social season when children of nobility and gentry who are of marriageable age are initiated into the society.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Bridgerton's second season broke all viewing records and overtook season one in terms of audience size. According to Slate, the entire series gives the romance genre its own cinematic universe while putting the “feminine” perspective front and centre.

Series Like Bridgerton

The sitcom started pre-producing a second season before the first one began airing, and it was formally confirmed in January 2021. The television show received a third and fourth season renewal by April 2021. Here are some shows that are similar to Bridgerton that will keep you occupied until it's time to visit our beloved London neighbourhood in case you're wondering what to watch next that will capture even a little bit of the beauty of Bridgerton.

The Great

The Great is a historical and satirical black comedy-drama that follows Catherine the Great as she goes from being an outsider to having the longest reign of any woman in Russian history. The fictional television series centres on the conspiracy to assassinate Catherine's husband and depicts Catherine in her childhood and marriage to Russian Emperor Peter III. The show is available on Hulu.

Pride and Prejudice

The 1995 BBC miniseries is a great option for Pride and Prejudice adaptations if one wishes to stick to the more conventional path. Compared to the 2005 movie, it digs even further into the novel. The show, Pride and Prejudice, a critically acclaimed and commercial success, received numerous honours. Jennifer Ehle won a BAFTA Television Award for "Best Actress" and an Emmy for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special."

Colin Firth became famous because of his performance as “Mr Darcy.” "A humorous combination of love stories and social manoeuvring, skillfully clothed in the goals and illusions of a provincial gentry," the New York Times described the adaption. Helen Fielding, the author of the well-known Bridget Jones books, was inspired by the television show.

Harlots

The Covent Garden Ladies by British historian Hallie Rubenhold served as the basis for the British-American period drama television series Harlots, which was developed by Alison Newman and Moira Buffini. The series centres on Margaret Wells, a “brothel” owner in 18th-century London who battles to give her kids a better life in a “tormenting” world.

The first episode of the series aired on March 27 on ITV Encore in the UK and on March 29 on Hulu in the US. After being moved to StarzPlay after ITV Encore closed, it was subsequently renewed for a second season, which debuted on StarzPlay on 14 February 2019 in the UK and 11 July 2018 in the United States. The third season of Harlots was ordered on September 24, 2018, and it debuted on July 10, 2019, in the US, and on July 11, 2019, in the UK. After three seasons, the show was reportedly cancelled by Hulu on June 10, 2020.

Dickinson

Hailee Steinfeld portrays Emily Dickinson, an aspiring poet who falls in love with Sue, her closest friend and brother's bride-to-be. She resists her parents' efforts to locate a suitor for her. Dickinson immerses viewers in the poet Emily Dickinson's world while audaciously examining the limitations of society, gender, and family through the inventive point of view of an aspiring writer who doesn't fit into her own time. Dickinson is Emily's coming-of-age tale, the struggle of one woman to be heard. It airs on Apple TV+. 

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