For those who adore the cosy charm of period dramas, selecting the next binge-worthy series can be a delightful yet challenging task. Call the Midwife recently concluded its emotional fifteenth series and is set to return with a prequel titled Sisters in Arms, alongside a movie adaptation before season sixteen. While awaiting these new releases, here are five captivating historical shows to enjoy.
Lark Rise to Candleford
Hailed by fans as "the best ever made," this BBC series debuted in 2008 and draws from Flora Thompson's semi-autobiographical trilogy chronicling English rural life. Set in the modest Oxfordshire hamlet of Lark Rise and the nearby market town of Candleford, the story follows young Laura Timms (Olivia Hallinan) as she moves to live with her cousin Dorcas Lane (Julia Sawalha), the independent post mistress. The ensemble cast includes Ben Miles, Claudia Blakley, Brendan Coyle, Dawn French, and Victoria Hamilton. One fan raved: "After Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and Cranford, I thought the BBC couldn't do any better. Boy, was I wrong." Stream it for free on U.
All Creatures Great and Small
This heartwarming veterinary drama, based on James Herriot's real-life books, is set in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s and 1940s. It follows young vet James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) as he moves from Glasgow to work for eccentric boss Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) and his brother Tristan (Callum Woodhouse), alongside housekeeper Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley) and farmer's daughter Helen Alderson (Rachel Shenton). A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer said: "I love the books, and this is as close to a perfect adaptation as you could get." Seasons one to six are free on Channel 5, with new episodes filming.
Jane Eyre
This 2006 adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel stars Ruth Wilson as the orphaned Jane Eyre and Toby Stephens as Edward Rochester. Over four episodes, Jane's journey unfolds as she becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where mysterious events hint at dark secrets. Wilson's performance earned a BAFTA nomination. One IMDB reviewer wrote: "A wonderful adaptation. Ruth makes a delightful and intriguing Jane, and Toby Stephens is an utterly fantastic Rochester." Stream it on BBC iPlayer.
The Durrells
Based on Gerald Durrell's trilogy, this ITV series (2016) follows the Durrell family as they move from Bournemouth to Corfu in the 1930s. Matriarch Louisa (Keeley Hawes) relocates with her four children: Lawrence (Josh O'Connor), Gerald (Milo Parker), Leslie (Callum Woodhouse), and Margo (Daisy Waterstone). The show won a BAFTA and a TV Choice Award, with seasons two and three scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer described it as a "Lovely, quirky show" and another as "heart-warming but in a good way." Stream on Disney+.
Cable Girls
This five-season Netflix series (over 40 episodes) is set in 1920s Madrid, following four women working at a modern telecommunications company. Each woman has her own reasons for joining—some seeking escape, others financial independence—as they navigate struggles faced by working women. Filmed in Madrid, the series transforms locations to capture the 1920s. Fans on IMDB called it the "best show ever" and praised its thrilling, intriguing storytelling. Stream on Netflix.
