Move over, Bridgerton. While the ton's favourite show dominates headlines, a treasure trove of exquisite period dramas awaits discovery on British streaming platforms. For those who crave the rustle of silk, the intrigue of a grand estate, and stories steeped in history, we've curated the ultimate watchlist.
From the gritty backstreets of Victorian London to the opulent drawing rooms of the Edwardian elite, these ten series offer unparalleled escapism and are available to stream right now.
The Ultimate Period Drama Binge List
Whether your subscription is with BritBox, Netflix, or ITVX, there's a historical masterpiece waiting for you.
1. The Crimson Field (BBC iPlayer)
This powerful series trades ballrooms for battlefield hospitals. Follow the courageous nurses and medical staff stationed at a tented hospital in France during World War I, a poignant and often overlooked perspective on the Great War.
2. The Paradise (BritBox)
Before Mr. Selfridge, there was The Paradise. This captivating drama unfolds within Britain's first grand department store, exploring the lives, loves, and ambitions of its staff and owners with lavish attention to detail.
3. The Mill (BritBox)
For a grittier, more realistic portrayal of the past, The Mill is essential viewing. Based on real historical records and testimonies from the archives of a northern textile mill, it tells the story of the child apprentices and workers fighting for their rights in the 1830s.
4. The Devil's Whore (Channel 4)
A thrilling and brutal ride through the English Civil War, this epic series boasts a stellar cast, including Dominic West, John Simm, and Peter Capaldi. It’s a sweeping tale of politics, power, and passion in a country torn apart.
5. Lost in Austen (ITVX)
A delightful and clever fantasy for any Jane Austen fan. When a modern woman miraculously swaps places with Elizabeth Bennet, she must navigate the strict social rules of Pride and Prejudice, with hilarious and romantic consequences.
6. North & South (BBC iPlayer)
Richard Armitage's iconic performance as the brooding mill owner John Thornton is reason enough to watch this BBC classic. This sweeping adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel explores the stark contrasts between rural southern England and the industrial north.
7. Death Comes to Pemberley (BBC iPlayer)
Crime meets corsets in this thrilling murder mystery sequel to Pride and Prejudice. When a guest is found dead on the Darcy estate, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam must protect their family from scandal and suspicion.
8. The English (BBC iPlayer)
A recent and critically acclaimed masterpiece. Emily Blunt stars in this epic Western that follows a determined Englishwoman and a ex-cavalry scout as they journey across the violent and mythic landscape of 1890s America.
9. To Walk Invisible (BBC iPlayer)
This powerful biopic tells the extraordinary true story of the Brontë sisters. It focuses on their struggle to overcome prejudice and poverty in order to write some of the most beloved novels in the English language.
10. Tom Jones (BritBox)
A fresh and energetic adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel. This riotous comedy follows the charming and impulsive Tom Jones on his misadventures through 18th-century English society, full of romance, humour, and heart.
So, dim the lights, pour a cup of tea (or something stronger), and transport yourself to another time. Your next historical obsession is just a click away.
