25 of TV’s Must-See Period Dramas

We all love traveling to another time and place when we sit down to watch TV. Some shows manage to do this without actually defining a time period. 

However, the best series are the ones that take us to a recognizable time and place. Between story, setting, and costumes these series really send us into another dimension. 

Below we have compiled a list chronicling, in no particular order, 25 of TV’s must-see period dramas:

1. Downton Abbey

One of the world’s most popular period dramas is Downton Abbey and for good reason. The show follows the Crawley family from the devastating crash of the Titanic to the mid-20s.

The depth of storytelling is what sets this drama ahead of the pack and keeps such a steady audience pull for the duration of its run. We all become intrinsically part of the family through all their trials and triumphs because the show makes us feel like part of the story.

2. Call the Midwife

If you are fascinated by medical dramas, then the British mainstay, Call the Midwife, is exactly up your alley. This show follows the ever-changing world of midwifery in the poorest parts of London during the 1950s and into the 60s.

These women have to fight off the worst of conditions in order to ensure their patients survive their pregnancies and births. Over time they also have to go up against new medical advancements and the social unrest that comes with them.

3. Boardwalk Empire

Picture it: Atlantic City during prohibition in the 1920s. That is exactly what sets the stage for this intense HBO crime drama starring the incomparable Steve Buscemi.

With a vast cast of uniquely diverse characters, Boardwalk Empire draws you into the dramatic world of crime that keeps the main man, Enoch “Nucky” Thompson at the top of his political game.

Audiences get to watch as he uses bootlegging, mobsters, and other influential people to his advantage during a time when shady business was just the name of the game.

4. Sanditon

Everyone in the world has heard of Jane Austen, and if you are a fan, then this period drama is for you. Sanditon is the drama series adaptation from an unfinished manuscript of Austen’s.

It takes place during the turn of the century in a seaside town. Charlotte Heywood comes to town and is initially captivated by the occupants. The great thing about this show is its cast of complicated characters with ambiguous motivations. All in all, the charm of this town resides more in the residents than the setting.

And Season 2 and 3 are on the way!

5. Bridgerton

In the past year, Bridgerton has taken the world by storm with its Regency Era version of the Gossip Girl concept. Who doesn’t love seeing the sordid tales of families of note from the eyes of a faceless stranger?

Season 1 is all about Daphne and Simon’s love story, and what a marvelous story it is. They will sweep you off your feet.

But going into subsequent seasons, we will get the chance to explore the other members of the Bridgerton family and watch them find their happily ever afters. The show draws us in and makes us feel at home at all the fancy parties from this time period.

The series has already been renewed for seasons 2, 3, and 4!

6. Outlander

Of all the dramas on this list, Outlander is the only one that is a time travel drama as well. It takes place during World War 2 Scotland in 1945, as well as 1743 Scotland.

The fascinating thing about this drama is the way it seamlessly molds Claire Randall, a nurse, into both 1945 and 1743. Jamie isn’t so bad to look at either, and their chemistry is off the charts — making us swoon.

7. The Crown

In 2021, the world is starting to lose its blind fascination with the British Monarchy, which is what makes this series so relevant and interesting.

The Crown follows the longest reign in history, that of Queen Elizabeth II from her rise to the throne all the way up to modern times.

For a period drama that poses a difficult task — having to stay true to so many different time periods. However, this show manages to do so with both grace and beauty. There is no detail left out or found to be too minuscule.

8. Poldark

Another British drama series, Poldark follows Captain Poldark as he travels back to Cornwall after the American War of Independence. Set in a time period that isn’t explored all that often in period dramas, this one is probably a series that is more unknown.

For 5 seasons, Poldark follows the lives of Poldark and his wife, his ex-sweetheart, and her husband as they deal with life and world events. Despite being an underrated show, there is still an avid fanbase for this romantic drama.

9. Anne with an E

For decades now, the story of Anne Shirley, who moves to Green Gables as an orphan has captivated audiences the world over. So, when Netflix decided to recreate this tale in a new way, it caught the attention of a whole new generation.

Even with keeping to the time period and setting of the source material, the 1800s Prince Edward Island, Anne with an E manages to make modern updates in the way the stories are told. It’s a mesmerizing tale of a young girl learning the ways of the world while also defying social standards for women of the day.  

10. Mad Men

Set in the ad world of 1960s New York, Mad Men takes a look into the culture of these ad executives as they interact with the ever-changing landscape around them. By looking at history through the lens of popular targeted ads, you get a new perspective of how the world appeared to some.

While the title leads you to believe this is a man’s world, the beauty of Mad Men is the number of complex female characters it yields. This show is now synonymous with such things as female empowerment and moving ahead of the times to become more than just a married housewife.

11. Peaky Blinders

By now, most TV watchers are aware of the Shelby family and their underhanded actions of crime in Birmingham, England just after the First World War. This show brings to life the violent, albeit exciting, life of street gangs trying to control a particular area of the country.

Between trying to keep control and squaring off against the authorities, the gang never sees a quiet day. From season to season, the show explores the world changing around the gang as they try to keep their prominence over the span of a decade.

Peaky Blinders is a show that made Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, and Paul Anderson household names. 

12. Victoria

Much like other entries on this list, Victoria follows the life of a famed British monarch, this time Queen Victoria. Obviously set in Victorian England, the show has a deeply historical, yet dramatic lens on the world during that time.

It follows the wins and losses of Queen Victoria as well as her quest for love during a time of change. This drama gives into our unquenching thirst for more information about various ruling monarchs in Britain’s history.

13. The Americans

This period spy drama gives new light to the concept of Russian spies living among us during a time of civil unrest in our country.

By following two spies who are pretending to be Americans, this show gives a more human look into the lives of Russians planted in America for espionage reasons.

Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell really capture our hearts with their chemistry and the level of humanity they give their characters. That is not to say The Americans is without drama or excitement because that lurks around every corner of this show. 

14. The Nevers

Half of the season has aired so far, and those few episodes have us on the edge of our seat waiting for more.

This period/steampunk sci-fi drama is set in Victorian England and follows a group of individuals, mostly women, who have been touched by extraordinary abilities. The intensity of the time period mixed with the dangers of having “magic” makes up the perfect formula to win us over within minutes.

15. Masters of Sex

This is the drama series for those of us interested in shows focusing on the human experience. One of the best things about this Showtime series is that it follows two pioneering researchers of human sexuality during a time when sex was seen as a taboo subject — the 50s and 60s.

Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan lead an all-star cast who explore the realms of human nature and desire. Masters of Sex is a complex look into the lives of two very real people who changed how we look at ourselves. 

16. Rome

Rome is the perfect show to check out for those who are fascinated with Ancient Rome and its historical significance, assuming you didn’t catch it when it originally aired in the mid-2000s. Rome’s quality still holds up all these years later. 

In fact, this series is a great one to check out even if you don’t have a major fascination with ancient civilizations. This series brings history to life and brings us to the forefront of the struggle for Rome to transition from a Republic to an Empire.

17. Gentleman Jack

LGBTQ+ matters set to the backdrop of 1832 Yorkshire is what makes Gentleman Jack a must-see series. It’s based on a real woman named Anne Lister who wrote diaries in code to talk of a lifetime of lesbian relationships.

Considering being a homosexual during this time was highly illegal, the story of Lister and Walker is thrilling and that much more romantic. There is something about forbidden love as well as female strength that really gets our hearts pumping.

18. The Borgias

While this drama is knee-deep in the Roman Catholic faith, people of all religions and beliefs can fall into the depths of this extremely complex tale of power, greed, and the bonds of family and faith. The Borgias follows the story of the Borgia family as the patriarch is elected to the papacy due to the underhanded actions of his sons.

This family is thrust into the sometimes dark world of 15th Century politics. Between matters of the church and the monarchy, this series goes on a twisted journey that keeps us on the edge of our seats the whole time.

19. North & South

In 1855 England there were distinct differences between those living in the North of England and those living in the South. Margaret Hale and her family learn all of this first hand when they move north after her father leaves the clergy.

North & South gives viewers an inside look into the clash of the haves and the have nots of this era. Set between the two families — The Hales and The Thorntons — this four-part series dives into how romance can sometimes see beyond societal pressures. 

20. Harlots

In the late 1700s, the only way for women to get a leg up in the world was to either marry well or sell their bodies for sex and money. Harlots aims to focus on those women of the night who aren’t as fortunate as others but remain a pillar of strength and fortitude through it all.

More specifically, the series follows Margaret Wells as she transitions her family from a more rundown area of London to the higher society section in order to better the lives of her and her girls. Between the fantastic cinematography, the flashy period costuming, and the storytelling genius, this series is not one to be missed.

21. Agent Carter 

For the Marvel fans out there, this entry is right up your alley and might even surprise you a bit. While this show isn’t one that first comes to mind when we think of period drama, it fits the criteria considering its setting of 1946 and the clothing and sets being accurate to that time.

Agent Carter follows Peggy Carter after the events of the first Captain America film as she balances her work with the SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve) and the famed Howard Stark. If anything this show adds more backstory to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It should be viewed to learn more about the woman who stole Rogers’ heart but manages to make a name for herself all on her own.

22. Vikings

This is one period drama you should never miss out on. It’s set during the time that Vikings were in prominence, 13th Century Scandinavia, and Norse mythology really began.

Vikings is the tale of Ragnar Lothbrok as he conducts raids on England and rises to political power and eventual King status. This action-packed adventure tale is filled with love, violence, excitement, and a bit of history.

23. Stranger Things

Who doesn’t love the 80s? Better yet, who doesn’t love sci-fi mixed in with the 80s? The nostalgia for a simpler time, that is the true draw to Stranger Things.

Watching a group of kids venture into the Upside Down to rescue one of their own gives us Stephen King vibes all over again. Couple that with a captivating story for the adults of the show as well as a killer soundtrack and you’ll understand the beauty that is Hawkins, Indiana.

24. Murdoch Mysteries

For everyone who loves a good detective/police drama, there is the Canadian series, Murdoch Mysteries. The series follows William Murdoch as he conducts his business as a detective in Ontario during the late 19th/early 20th centuries.

With a host of historical figures and events, this show brings to life moments we’ve grown up learning about in fun new ways. One of the cool things about Murdoch is his uncanny use of tactics that were ahead of the time — fingerprinting, blood testing, and trace evidence.

25.  The Spanish Princess

The Spanish Princess focuses on Catherine of Aragon who was a Spanish princess more well-known as the first wife of King Henry VIII.

Catherine is only a teenager when she travels to England from Spain in order to meet her betrothed, Arthur, in person. Once she arrives it becomes apparent that any correspondence she has had with Arthur was actually with Henry, his younger brother. 

Watching her come into her own as an independent and vocal woman while dealing with the death of Arthur and her sudden marriage to Henry leads viewers on a journey they won’t soon forget. 

When you fall in love with The Spanish Princess, then you also should check out the equally captivating sister series, The White Queen and The White Princess.

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What period dramas do you think everyone should watch? Did we miss any on our list? Sound off in the comments below. 

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