10 Best Shows To Add In List Like Bridgerton For Period Drama Lovers
The most popular period drama, Bridgerton, is back with its third season, leaving viewers on a cliffhanger. Fans can enjoy several other period dramas. Jump in to discover the best shows like Bridgerton.
The narrator of the high-profile period drama series based on Julia Quinn’s novels Lady Whistledown is not in a hurry to reveal what is coming next. However, it is more like torture for the viewers than a treat to wait for the second part of Bridgerton season 3. But if it is getting hard to calm your nerves down and keep calm, the good news is it is coming back very soon, in the month of June. Following the second season based on the novel The Viscount Who Loved Me, the third season will diverge from Julia Quinn’s book series, focusing on Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin’s (Luke Newton) love story. With the romance in the air and hearts on fire, It’s hard to wait for the next part. But the only thing you need right now to keep yourself invested is to search for more shows similar to Bridgerton to make you fall in yourself with the period dramas. If you are ready, dive in to add 10 of the best shows like Bridgerton to your list.
Best 10 Period Dramas To Add To Your List
1. Pride & Prejudice
Based on the 1813 novel of the same name written by English Novelist Jane Austen, this all-time classic tale is brought majorly to life by BBC production and actors Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The slow build of the tension is captivating and keeps the audience interested in bewitching their body and soul.
2. The Crown
Speaking of period drama, one can never forget The Crown! Mainly set in the 20th century, this Golden Globe Award-winning series indeed deserves a spot on the list of best period dramas to watch. This lavish Netflix series gives its viewers a more closer look at the British monarchy, following Queen Elizabeth II’s life and reign from the 1940s to the modern day. The cast is phenomenal and has done a good job. From Claire Foy and Olivia Colman to Imelda Staunton portraying the Queen. The Crown runs for six seasons, with the final one premiered in December 2023. This period drama is more popular than viewers think. It is a cult decision to rotate its cast every two seasons to discover more secrets and seek into the life about the British Royal family.
3. Victoria
A few years after Blunt’s portrayal of the young royal, Jenna Coleman brought Queen Victoria to life in this British PBS series. It explores the coddled Princess’s transformation into a fiercely independent Queen, highlighting her duties and love life with Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) and plenty of palace intrigue. With just three seasons, this popular, though less steamy, series is likely to be a favourite among Bridgerton fans who are waiting for the season 3 second part to come.
4. Harlots
Best known for her role as Lady Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey, Popular English actress Jessica Brown Findlay stars in this three-season Hulu original series. Set in the mid-18th Century London brothel, this show majorly explores the rigid rules of the world that are bound to be broken, contrasting with high society. When the viewer delves deeper, it get revealed that one in five women were sex workers at that time. While it is not an easy storyline, it focuses on two rival brothels, providing a glimpse into this often-overlooked aspect of life.
5. Sanditon
Set in the early 1800s England in the Regency era, Sandition is PBS’s third instalment of the legendary Jane Austen’s final unfinished manuscript. The first season precisely follows Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) and Sidney Parker (Theo James), whose initial disdain turns into attraction, a similar concept to Pride and Prejudice. In the second and third seasons, Charlotte is pursued by other suitors. Unlike other Austen novels, which focus more on feminism, this show offers a unique story focusing more on the town’s development than marriage and high society.
6. Downtown Abbey
Consider yourself lucky if you love period dramas, and Downtown Abby is on your list. With six seasons and two movies and third one on the way, there’s plenty of drama, scandal, and intrigue that Downtown Abbey has to offer involving the Crawley family and their servants in the Edwardian era. Maggie Smith’s sharp-witted Dowager Countess Violet Crawley is a highlight, along with performances by Hugh Bonneville, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle, and Michelle Dockery. The downtown Abbey gives a refreshing air for many viewers who love to watch period dramas.
7. The Spanish Princess
The Spanish Princess is majorly set at the dawn of the Tudor period. It is the third trilogy of Starz shows based on Philippa Gregory’s books. This series centres on Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope), who betrothed Prince Arthur of England from birth to strengthen Spain and England. After his untimely death, she marries his brother, the future King Henry VIII (Ruairi O’Connor). To all the period drama viewers, this show gives an appealing sight by featuring stunning costumes, scenery, and witnessing a rise in intense sexual tension between Catherine and Henry VIII.
8. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
A huge fan of Bridgerton? Well, you must not miss its prequel series, Queen Charlotte. This stand-alone series delves into the early days of Queen Charlotte’s marriage to King George III. With Golda Rosheuvel portrays her in the Bridgerton era and India Amarteifio as a young woman. In this series , viewers can expect steamy, complicated, and tragic dynamics, typical of Shonda Rhimes, who takes a more hands-on role as creator and writer here. The ending is more captivating and will stay with you for days.
9. The Pursuit of Love
Going back in time, even a century after Bridgerton, England is still over the top when it comes to desire. Streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video The Pursuit of Love, a three-episode miniseries by Emily Mortimer. This series follows cousins and best friends Lily James and Emily Beecham as they search for the love between the World Wars. Coupled with modern flair and anachronistic music, this show is filled with a different outlook and fresh air. While the series may not as steamy as Bridgerton, it focuses more on crushes and friendship, to connect directly with the audience’s emotions.
10. The Great
Hulu’s The Great is a perfect follow-up to fill your time when the next part of the Bridgerton season comes up! Coming front the art of screenwriter Tony McNamara, who is known for his witty script in The Favourite, this series follows the life-adventures of a young Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning) sent to Russia to marry Peter III (Nicholas Hoult). Though this series is less steamy than Bridgerton, it is much funnier and would be perfect to add to your list to watch the best period series.
