If you found yourself enchanted by the grandeur of Downton Abbey, with its sumptuous costumes, complex characters, and vivid depictions of early 20th-century British society, your journey through the past doesn't have to end there. For those who are eager to immerse themselves in similar worlds of tradition and style, the following series will undoubtedly capture your heart from high society tensions to explorations of social issues through drama, these period pieces offer an abundance of experiences for viewers who relish rich historical drama with the richness of Downton Abbey.
*Bonfire of Destiny France Netflix
Delve into the catastrophic event of the 1897 Bazar de la Charité fire where a devastating blaze consumes a building in Paris, leaving many aristocratic families in mourning and altering their destinies forever. Amidst the chaos, three women find their lives intersecting in unexpected ways as they deal with loss, betrayal, love, and the fight for survival. As they navigate the societal shifts and personal upheavals that follow, secrets are unraveled, and resilient spirits are tested in this evocative portrait of that fascinating era.
*The Gilded Age US/UK HBO Prime Video
Journey to the booming New York City of the late 19th century, where old money traditions collide with new world ambitions. 'The Gilded Age’ paints a vibrant tableau of American society on the brink of modernity. Through the eyes of both affluent tycoons and ambitious newcomers, this series captures the opulence and cutthroat rivalry of an era marked by stark social contrasts. Personal triumphs and scandals abound as characters vie for power and social status in a city that exemplifies the promise of industrial growth and cultural advancement.
*Sanditon UK PBS Passport Prime Video
This British period drama brings to life the unfinished final novel of Jane Austen with engaging plots and rich character development amidst the backdrop of the Regency era. Charlotte Heywood is an unconventional young woman from the countryside who finds herself in Sanditon—a coastal town burgeoning with the promises of health and wealth due to its potential as a spa resort. Charlotte encounters a cast that ranges from fortune hunters and entrepreneurs to naval officers and ladies of leisure. The narrative explores themes such as class divisions, ambition, and entrepreneurship while revealing Austen’s incisive social commentary on an emergent commercial society click here
*The Paradise UK PBS Passport Prime Video
Set against the backdrop of England's burgeoning retail environment in the late 19th century, "The Paradise" is a visually stunning drama inspired by Emile Zola’s novel "Au Bonheur des Dames". The series centers on a pioneering and spirited young woman who works at the first English department store. As she navigates the complexities of her new job, she encounters romance, competition, and the rigid social hierarchies of the time. click here
*Victoria UK PBS Passport Prime Video
Chronicling the life of one of Britain's most iconic monarchs, "Victoria" delves into Queen Victoria's accession to the throne at just eighteen years old. The series follows her through the early years of her reign, capturing her transformation from a sheltered teenager into a savvy queen and mother. It explores not only the politics but also the personal relationships that defined Victoria’s rule, alongside reimagined moments from a rich historical tapestry. click here
*Doctor Thorne UK PBS Passport Prime Video
This television series is a period drama set in the fictional English village of Greshambury. Dr. Thorne, a humble and principled country doctor, finds himself at the center of a classic English story of social class and morality. His niece, Mary Thorne, born out of wedlock and without a known father, grows up under his guardianship. She falls in love with the wealthy squire's son, Frank Gresham; howev er, Gresham’s family finances are in disarray, and Frank is urged to save their estate by marrying for money. Through trials and tribulations, Dr. Thorne serves as her protector, guiding her through the complex web of social expectations and romantic entanglements. click here
*Death Comes to Pemberley UK PBS Passport Prime Video
Enter the esteemed estate of Pemberley six years post the iconic literary marriage of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. This series invites viewers back into the world penned by Jane Austen with a suspenseful twist—an intriguing murder mystery that disrupts their tranquil life. Examining true motives, societal expectations, and layered relationships through forensic inquiry, 'Death Comes to Pemberley blends Regency-era romance with crime-solving intrigue, resulting in a fresh take on beloved characters. click here
*The Woman in White UK PBS Passport Prime Video
Step into Victorian England's mist-shrouded landscape with this haunting adaptation of Wilkie Collins's seminal novel. Through an eerie encounter with a ghostly woman in white robes, an art teacher is drawn into a dark web of deception, insanity, and greed. Wrestling with principles and plunging into perilous investigations, he strives to protect those he loves from the nefarious machinations surrounding them. With its gothic undertones and psychological suspense, ‘The Woman in White’ offers an immersive experience into themes of identity, confinement, and social manipulation." click here
*The Making of a Lady UK PBS Passport Prime Video
Set in the early 1900s, this drama concentrates on Emily Fox-Seton, a woman of good character but with little means. Through a surprising turn of events, she finds herself marrying the wealthy Lord James Walderhurst. What appears to be a Cinderella story soon takes a darker turn when Emily faces jeopardy, stemming from those around her who have their motives and desires. This poignant narrative explores themes of survival and the intricate dynamics within household hierarchies and aristocratic society. click here
*The Buccaneers UK/US Apple TV
This transatlantic miniseries dramatizes Edith Wharton’s last novel about young American heiresses looking for love and status amongst the British nobility during the 1870s—a time when fortunes are made fast, but social acceptance is not guaranteed. The primary characters—Nan St. George, Virginia St. George, Lizzy Elmsworth, and their friend Conchita Closson—take London by storm as they navigate the intricacies of English society. Wealthy but not welcome in old-money circles in America, they use their New World charm to break into the British aristocracy., Each 'Buccaneer’ embarks on her journey of romance, marriage intrigue, and personal discovery against a backdrop illustrating tensions between New World vitality and Old World traditions.
*The Forsyte Saga UK PBS Passport Prime Video
This compelling series meticulously depicts the trials and tribulations of the Forsyte family, a representation of the affluent British upper class. Spanning several generations from the oppressive Victorian times to the cataclysmic effects of World War I, viewers are drawn into their complicated relationships marked by love affairs, power struggles, and shifting fortunes. Personal betrayals intertwine with societal changes as the characters navigate through an era marked by unyielding social conventions. click here
*Upstairs Downstairs UK PBS Passport Prime Video
Hailed as a richly textured portrayal of life in Edwardian Britain, this seminal series introduces viewers to 165 Eaton Place, London. Here, the intertwined lives of the Bellamy family and their servants unfold against a backdrop of historical events from 1903 to 1930. Upstairs we meet the Bellamys—wealthy and influential—and downstairs we find their loyal but socially marginalized staff. The show brilliantly balances individual aspirations and disappointments with broader societal transformations. click here
*Belgravia UK MGM Prime Video
From the creator of 'Downton Abbey', this sophisticated tale starts at the Duchess of Richmond's ball on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, where secrets are exchanged that will have long-lasting effects on several families. Years later in London's Belgravia, these scandals resurface, unraveling the lives of both gentry and tradespeople as old wounds reopen and new societal challenges emerge against a backdrop of growing wealth disparity.
*Gosford Park UK PBS Passport Prime Video
Directed by Robert Altman, this intricately woven tale is set during a shooting party at Gosford Park, where guests from the British upper class enjoy a country weekend. However, undercurrents stir beneath their polished exteriors—a murder occurs, unraveling hidden relationships and class tensions between the mansion's residents and service staff. As everyone becomes a suspect, this incisive whodunit examines issues related to status and human nature. click here
*The Aristocrats UK Britbox Prime Video
Dramatizing true events from letters and diaries, this series dramatizes the story of four Lennox sisters in 18th-century England who emerge from an aristocratic family to occupy influential positions around royal courts across Europe. Delving into personal intrigues as they navigate public roles at court and private life decisions in matters of love and family loyalty, this docudrama highlights women's pursuit for influence during times dominated by men."
BOOKS
*The Paradise
Emile Zola’s novel "Au Bonheur des Dames"
French and English versions available
*The Woman in White
by Wilkie Collins click here
*Dr. Thorne
by Anthony Trollop click here
*The Buccaneers
by Edith Wharton click here
*Sandition
by Jane Austen click here
*The Forsyte Saga
by John Galsworthy click here
*The Making of a Lady
The Making of a Marchioness
by Frances Hodgson Burnett click here
The Anfier M6 Translator Earbuds translates 144 languages and dialects with exceptional accuracy and performance. click here
