Downton Abbey may have ended, but Netflix offers a wealth of period dramas for fans seeking similar entertainment. The streaming giant boasts an impressive selection of costume and historical productions, with three shows that some viewers argue surpass the beloved ITV series.
The Crown, Netflix's epic about the British monarchy, is often compared to Downton Abbey. Since its debut in 2016, the series has won 24 Emmys and two Golden Globes, with 73 million households tuning in by 2020. Following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, viewership spiked to 17.6 million hours streamed in one day. Fans on Reddit are divided: one said they preferred The Crown, while another found it too slow compared to Downton.
Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn's novels, is another hugely popular period drama. Its first season garnered 113.3 million views in 91 days, and the third season attracted 106 million viewers. The show is Netflix's ninth most-watched English-language series. However, some fans argue it's not as good as Downton Abbey, with one Reddit user calling it an "alternative history romantic fantasy" rather than a true period drama.
Poldark, the BBC series available on Netflix, has also drawn comparisons. While not detailed in the source, fans have called it "better than Downton Abbey" in online discussions. The show follows Ross Poldark, a British Army officer returning to Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War.
Ultimately, which series is best depends on personal taste. As one Reddit user noted, Downton Abbey shows the lives of both staff and aristocrats, while The Crown has a bigger budget and focuses on real historical figures. Bridgerton offers a lighter, romantic fantasy, and Poldark delivers rugged drama.
