Since Netflix's latest horny period drama, Bridgerton entered the chat, it's been hard to think of anything other than how one might acquire another period drama that has been as binge worthy as this iteration. With season two far on the horizon, it's looking like we're going to need to turn elsewhere for our dramatic, petticoat-filled-fix. While each of the below are 100% less steamy, period dramas happen to be my preferred watching genre, so you can rest easy knowing that you'll be in for a thrill.
Downton Abbey
The royalty of period dramas will always be Downton Abbey. Set in 1900, the sprawling tv show focuses on the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and the gigantic estate they reside in. It follows the drama of the lives of those who inhabit the upper and lower levels of the house, providing commentary on the disparities between high society and servants, all against a backdrop of manicured english gardens and cobblestone roads.
The Great
A Stan special if we ever knew one. The Great is a dramatic retelling of the story of the live and reign of Catherine the Great, once the Empress of Russia, and how she came about her power. Satirical, dark, and charming.
The Crown
We all know the story. A dramatic interpretation of Queen Elizabeth II's reign from the 1940s to modern times, and everything that comes with it. If you've never seen it, surprisingly season four is a juicy place to start.
Outlander
Clare Fraser is a time-traveling 1940s nurse, who after World War II is transported back to 1743 and into a fantasy-esque world where things look extremely different. As a lead female protagonist, Fraser does what she must do to survive, which is withstand a whole heap of violent drama.
The Favourite
If Olivia Colman makes your heart beat like it does mine, The Favourite shant be missed. When Queen Anne falls ill, she passes on duties to her close aide, Sarah. things go awry when Sarah's cousin, Abigail is brought on as the Queens Ladies maid, and the three end up in an ugly love triangle that starts and ends with the Queens favouritism. Nicholas Hoult is there too.
Pride and Prejudice (1995 Tv series)
Last but certainly not least, the classic. You know the story, but if you don't, Elizabeth Bennet is under pressure to meet a husband when single aristocrat Mr. Darcy comes along. When Bennet is head over heels and Mr. Darcy finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class, things become fraught and dramatic in the English countryside.
