Historical dramas have become more and more popular recently. Taking a glimpse into the past with different societal standards, outfits, and even just everyday activities has piqued the interest of many binge-watchers, and rightly so.
With shows like Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, and Poldark, historical dramas are a way to escape life while learning about the past. So if you want more shows like Downton Abbey, what are the best recommendations that highlight societal differences, tension and mystery, and the constant drama?
Watch Downton Abbey now on Peacock.
7. The Great, Hulu (2020-2023)
The Great is one of the best shows like Downton Abbey with a hilarious spin. This historical drama is available on Hulu and stars Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult who play Empress Catherine the Great and Emperor Peter III respectively.
While it might be a boring story for many, this twist is set in an alternate setting and is considered a satirical comedy-drama that is just loosely based on Catherin the Great’s rise to power.
The show mainly focuses on Catherine as she struggles to choose between her own personal happiness and the future of Russia as she marries the Emporer. It’s the perfect option if you want a few laughs amidst the drama and chaos.
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6. Peaky Blinders, Netflix (2013-2022)
Shows like Downton Abbey really focus on prestigious families that have maneuvered through society, as well as the attendants that keep their homes running.
However, not a lot of shows focus on crimes from the past, like Peaky Blinders. The period drama starring Cillian Murphy, as well as an ensemble cast, follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders, a crime gang that formed in the direct aftermath of the First World War and is loosely based on the urban youth gang that was active from the 1880s to the 1920s.
If you’re looking for a historical drama that shows the darker side of life, this is the one to pick.
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5. Outlander, Netflix (2014-Present)
Outlander is a highly revered show on Netflix that is known for its incredible acting, drama, and intense storyline.
The historical drama is based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon and stars Caitríona Balfe as a former World War II military nurse in Scotland who, in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to 1734. In the past, she ends up falling in love with and marries a dashing Highland warrior named Jamie Fraser, a tacksman of Gabaldon’s fictionalized version of Clan Fraser of Lovat.
The show has eight seasons and is still running, so if you want a heavy watch that is filled with romance, drama, adventure, and more, then this is one of the best shows like Downton Abbey right now.
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4. The Crown, Netflix (2016-2023)
Do you want more shows like Downton Abbey that have some truth to them? Then check out The Crown, a historical drama on Netflix that follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The series is developed from the film The Queen (2006) and the stage play The Audience (2014), which also focuses on the Queen. The film spans 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.
The historically accurate show is a great option if you want to glean some facts while binging a show.
3. Dickinson, Apple TV (2019-2021)
Dickinson is one show that you might not have heard of yet, but it is one of the best shows like Downton Abbey that is a bit more lighthearted. The comedy-drama, as the name suggests, is a series about Emily Dickinson, a poet.
The series depicts Emily Dickinson’s era, focusing on her relationships with her family, her friends, and her society. It explores themes of gender roles, identity, and artistic expression, while also providing a window into the culture and political climate at that time.
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2. Cable Girls, Netflix (2017-2020)
An interesting historical drama that is set much closer to the present is Cable Girls on Netflix. The Spanish period drama is set in the late 1920s and stars 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 by finding a job working as a telephone operator under a false identity.
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1. Bridgerton, Netflix (2020-Present)
When you think of historical drama shows like Downton Abbey, then Bridgerton is one of the few shows that come to mind.
The series, based on the novels by Julia Quinn, is known for its in-depth look into the social structure that was around in the early 1800s during London’s Regency Era. This show, however, is set in an alternative 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.
During the show, each season focuses on one child of the Bridgerton household as they navigate the social scene to find a spouse.