Thanks to hit shows like Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, historical dramas are becoming more and more popular. Viewers love taking a glimpse into the past with different societal standards, outfits, and even everyday activities. So what are some more shows like Downton Abbey that highlight these societal differences, as well as give mystery, tension, and constant drama?
7. The Great, Hulu (2020-2023)
The Great is one of the best shows like Downton Abbey if you want a historical drama with a hilarious spin. The show follows Empress Catherine the Great and Emperor Peter III, loosely based on Catherine the Great’s rise to power. Even though it focuses on historical events, the show is considered a satirical comedy-drama, mostly focusing on Catherine’s struggles to choose between her personal happiness and the future of Russia.
6. Peaky Blinders, Netflix (2013-2022)
If you want more shows like Downton Abbey that focus on prestigious families that maneuver through society, then you’ll love Peaky Blinders. The main difference though is that Peaky Blinders focuses on a criminal family rather than high society. The period drama stars Cillian Murphy and follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders, a crime gang that formed in the aftermath of the First World War, loosely based on the urban youth gang that was active from the 1880s to the 1920s.
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5. Outlander, Netflix (2014-Present)
Outlander is by far one of the best shows like Downton Abbey, and is one of the long-running series to keep you occupied for weeks. Outlander is highly revered as one of the best historical dramas, and it’s based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. The show follows a former World War II military nurse in Scotland who finds herself transported back in time to 1734, where she ends up falling in love with a dashing Highland warrior.
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4. The Crown, Netflix (2016-2023)
What about one of the best shows like Downton Abbey that focuses on actual historical events? One of the best recommendations is The Crown which follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The series focuses on the Queen, spanning almost six decades within the six seasons, starting shortly before the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, and ending with the 2005 wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
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3. Dickinson, Apple TV (2019-2021)
Dickinson is one of the best shows like Downton Abbey, but one you might not have heard of before. The lighthearted comedy-drama is a series about Emily Dickinson, the poet. The series depicts Dickinson’s era, focusing on her relationships with her family, her friends, and her role in society. It also explores themes of gender roles, identity, and artistic expression.
2. Cable Girls, Netflix (2017-2020)
Another interesting historical drama that you might not have heard of before is Cable Girls on Netflix. The Spanish period drama is set in the late 1920s, starring Ana Fernandez, Nadia de Santiago, Blanca Saurez, and Maggie Civantos. The show focuses on the girls, starting with one, Alba, who tries her best to escape the past of finding a job working as a telephone operator under a false identity.
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Bridgerton, Netflix (2020-Present)
Of course, if you want one of the best shows like Downton Abbey, and one of the best historical dramas right now, then you need to dive into Bridgerton. Like Outlander, Bridgerton is based on a novel series by Julia Quinn, with each season and novel focusing on one of the Bridgerton children. The show itself is set in an alternate world where George III established racial equality and granted many people of African descent aristocratic titles due to the African heritage of his wife, Queen Charlotte.
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