The recently released Netflix series Bridgerton has taken viewers by storm, finding popularity with its period drama genre mixed with soap-opera antics and modern influences, resulting in it becoming the fifth most-watched Netflix original series of all time. Bridgerton is based on a series of novels of the same name by Julia Quinn.
With many fans having long-since finished binge-watching Bridgerton, they are now looking to see where else they can get their period-drama fix. Fortunately, Netflix has a wealth of other movies and series that are more than willing to fit the bill. Check out these ten top choices just below.
10 The Borgias (2011)
Set in Renaissance-era Italy, The Borgias is a historical-fiction drama that focuses on the lives of the Borgia family, a Spanish-Aragonese noble family who were prominent during the Italian Renaissance. The series had three seasons in total and stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI.
As the Borgia family does its utmost to claim as much wealth and power as possible, the characters fall victim to lust, murder, bribery, and more — leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as events unfold for one of history’s most notorious crime families.
9 The Exception
The Exception is based on the novel The Kaiser’s Last Kiss by Alan Judd. The film features the historical figure Kaiser Wilhelm II during his exile, but while the story uses this as a basis, the events are largely fictionalized to create a new romantic drama set in World War II.
Wehrmacht Captain Stefan Brandt is assigned to be the bodyguard of Kaiser Wilhelm II and is tasked with discovering whether a spy has infiltrated the estate to assassinate the deposed emperor. However, Brandt falls for one of the maids in the house by the name of Mieke de Jong and begins a love affair. When Brandt learns that Mieke is the spy within the house, his loyalties between his former emperor and the woman he loves are tested.
8 Versailles
Versailles is a French historical fiction set during the construction of the Palace of Versailles. The series had three seasons in total, with there being a four-year gap in the setting between the first and second seasons.
A young King Louis XIV decides to uproot his court from near Paris and move to Versailles in order to regain control of his nobles and decides to build upon his father’s old hunting lodge and turn it into a sumptuous, golden palace. With a young cast and a decadent setting, this show delivers on drama, political intrigue, scandals, and plenty of love affairs.
7 Alias Grace
Like many great period drama series and films, Alias Grace is an adaptation of a book. The mini-series is based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood and has six episodes in total. Interestingly, the book was based on a real-life event — the murder of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery that happened in 1843.
Two servants were charged for the murder, Grace Marks and James McDermott, and the series follows Grace’s story. Physichatrist Simon Jordan must decide whether Grace should be pardoned due to reasons of insanity, yet he begins to develop personal feelings for the convicted murderer.
6 Reign
Reign is a four-season series that is based on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Like many historical dramas, this series has been heavily fictionalized to ramp up the drama and action for audiences, making the narrative of Mary’s rise to power much more sexualized and filled with action and intrigue.
The series begins with Mary living in a convent before she is whisked away to marry her cousin Prince Francis II, which ultimately sets her on her path to enter the dangerous world of politics and passion.
5 A Little Chaos
A Little Chaos is a period drama that was directed by and starred the late Alan Rickman, as well as featuring other big-name actors such as Kate Winslet and Stanley Tucci. Set in 17th century France, the film follows the construction of a garden at Versailles for King Louis XIV.
A commoner by the name of Sabine is commissioned to design the garden and to work alongside the landscape architect André Le Nôtre. Sabine finds herself becoming involved in court life and also begins to fall for André even though he is married. Sabine is challenged throughout the film, both in her love life and professional life, ensuring viewers get plenty of drama.
4 Lady J
Lady J (or Mademoiselle de Joncquières in France) is a French period movie drama based on the novel Jacques the Fatalist by Denis Diderot. The film follows a wealthy widow by the name of Madame de la Pommeraye who begins a love affair with the lustful Marquis des Arcis.
However, once the Marquis spurns her affections, Madame de la Pommeraye concocts a revenge plan with the help of a young lady called Mademoiselle de Joncquières, with the aim of teaching the Marquis what it feels like to have his affections toyed with.
3 The Tudors
The Tudors is a TV series set in the 16th century that follows the life of King Henry VIII, with there being four seasons in total. The series boasts quite a few big-name stars who have featured in its episodes, even if some of them came to find fame after their appearance on the show, such as Henry Cavill and Natalie Dormer.
King Henry VIII was known for having six wives, so viewers can expect plenty of romance, scandal, sex, danger, and intrigue in this dramatic fictional series based on historical characters.
2 The Crown
The Crown follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of England, and while much of the storyline is based on historical fact, there has of course been a great deal of fictional drama and intrigue added to spice things up a bit.
There are four seasons currently, with the cast being changed every 2 seasons and older actors being brought in to reflect the passing of time. The latest season to release has proven to be quite popular with fans, as well as controversial, as it covers the tumultuous marriage between Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles.
1 Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Pride and Prejudice is arguably the most beloved romantic period drama, based on the famous novel of the same name by Jane Austen. There have been multiple adaptations of this book over the years, and Netflix is currently home to one of the best — the 2005 film version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
The film follows the Bennet family, with Elizabeth (the second-eldest daughter) being the primary focus. As the story unravels, the family deals with the trials and tribulations of having five daughters out in society, with multiple suitors, proposals, and enough drama and misunderstandings to make viewers completely hooked.
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