Streaming
Because Season 3 can’t come fast enough.
Shondaland’s Bridgerton hit Netflix in late 2020, but if you were as obsessed as the rest of the internet, you probably whipped through its tight eight-episode first season within a week. Ditto for Season 2, the steamy enemies-to-lovers romance that dropped in March. Luckily, there are many other TV shows and films like Bridgerton to dive into afterward.
Based on Julia Quinn’s book series of the same name, Bridgerton is a Regency romance that follows the relationship ups and downs of the eponymous family’s eight children and their respective suitors. Seasons 1 and 2 followed Daphne and Anthony, respectively — but if you’re doing the math at home, that means there could potentially be six more seasons to come (with at least 3 and 4 confirmed so far). And why wouldn’t they? Bridgerton became Netflix’s highest-viewed series of all time after a whopping 82 million households viewed it in January 2021 alone. Squid Game later claimed that title, but still — it’s safe to say that the Bridgerton obsession is alive and well. There’s even a Queen Charlotte spinoff prequel on the way.
Of course, a show this beautifully crafted takes time — and we still don’t know when Bridgerton Season 3 will even premiere. Fortunately, there are plenty of swoony, romantic period pieces worth streaming while you wait. Sure, no title can completely emulate the show’s unique blend of gorgeous settings, intricate costumes, classically twisted modern soundtrack, steamy sex scenes, or that diverse (and wildly attractive) cast — but these TV shows and movies like Bridgerton may very well fill the void anyway.
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1
The Great
Starring Elle Fanning as Catherine the Great, Hulu's hit period series puts a zany, hysterical spin on the story of Russia's longest-ruling woman. It’s a wild, dramatic, and not-quite-factually-accurate take on 18th-century Russia filled with stunning costumes, murderous plots, and an exquisite script perfectly suited for your next marathon watch. Following two seasons, critical acclaim, and several Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, Hulu has already renewed it for Season 3.
2
Outlander
Starz’s hit drama series Outlander follows a former World War II nurse who’s transported back to the 1700s, where she encounters violent battles and intense romance. With six seasons already released, the TV adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s book series starring Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan is bound to have you hooked in no time. Lucky for those who have already watched every season of the series, Starz has already announced that the Emmy-nominated series will return for Season 7.
3
Emma.
You can tell Emma. is a period piece by the apt punctuation at the end of its title. At least, that’s how director Autumn de Wilde explained the choice. Such tongue-in-cheek humor is prevalent throughout the comedy-drama based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name. Netflix fans may also recognize The Queen’s Gambit lead Anya Taylor-Joy, who stars as Emma Woodhouse, a young woman with a knack for meddling in the romantic lives of those around her, in the 2020 film.
4
The Favourite
Featuring Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, and an Oscar-winning performance from Olivia Colman, this 2018 period black comedy is a heightened exploration of the relationship between Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (Weisz) and Abigail Masham (Stone) as they compete for the coveted role of Queen Anne’s (Colman) Court favourite. Set in 18th-century England, The Favourite packs laughs, extreme drama, and a queer love affair that will have you gasping at every turn.
5
Dickinson
This comedic, feminist, and over-the-top retool of Emily Dickinson’s life is perfect if you’re looking for a series that’s a bit more ridiculous than Bridgerton. In Dickinson, which ran for three seasons from 2019 to 2021, Hailee Steinfeld portrays a party-loving, opium-smoking, and much more outgoing version of the poet. To make the Peabody Award-winning Apple TV+ show even more intriguing, it features a modern soundtrack of Drake, Billie Eilish, and A$AP Rocky hits and co-stars Wiz Khalifa as the blunt-smoking physical embodiment of death.
6
Belle
Directed by Amma Asante, this fictional 2013 film is inspired by both a true story and a 1779 painting of Dido Elizabeth Belle and her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House. The period drama centers on Belle, the little-known illegitimate, mixed-race daughter of naval officer Sir John Lindsay and a deceased enslaved woman. After she’s found living in poverty, Belle is sent to live with her great-uncle William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, as a high-society woman — against the wishes of many racist royals around her.
7
The Crown
If you enjoyed Bridgerton’s exploration of high society, you’ll love The Crown, a period drama from Netflix that takes place a century later and blurs the lines of fact and fiction. Split into multiple time periods, the 63-time Emmy-nominated series features a changing ensemble cast including Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Emerald Fennell. Starting at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, The Crown tackles royal drama, political scandals, and more — and you may even recognize some of the same filming locations from Bridgerton.
8
Gossip Girl
If Bridgerton were set in Manhattan and featured narration from a writer voiced by Kristen Bell rather than Julie Andrews, it would pretty much be Gossip Girl. While it may be one of just two non-period options on this list, it features just as much drama, steaminess, and high fashion as the Netflix show. With its fanfare peaking once again thanks to HBO Max’s reboot, dive into the original 2007 series starring Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, Chase Crawford, and Taylor Momsen.
9
Marie Antoinette
With modern music from Aphex Twin, The Strokes, and Bow Wow Wow woven throughout and an Oscar for Best Costume Design under its belt, Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film Marie Antoinette will fill the Bridgerton-shaped hole in your life. Kirsten Dunst delivers a memorable performance as the alluring, naïve new queen of France who becomes embroiled in scandal after scandal leading up to the French Revolution.
10
Gentleman Jack
In the BBC One and HBO drama Gentleman Jack, created by Sally Wainwright, Suranne Jones plays Anne Lister, an out lesbian and landowner in Yorkshire, which was quite the unconventional lifestyle for a woman in 1832. Based on Lister’s real-life diaries primarily written in code, the series is an intelligent and witty period piece that explores a lifetime of lesser-known love stories. It’s the perfect time to begin watching the series as Season 2 arrived on April 10 after enduring lockdown-related delays.
11
The Tudors
The Showtime classic focuses on the Tudor dynasty as a whole, but mainly a young, horny King Henry VIII (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers), his six wives, and many romantic trysts in 16th-century England. Also starring Downton Abbey and Outlander actor Maria Doyle Kennedy, this Emmy-winning series is chock full of scandalous storylines over its four seasons, providing all the lustful drama you’re looking for in a heightened period piece.
12
Pride & Prejudice
It’s no secret that Jonathan Bailey was inspired, in part, by Pride and Prejudice’s Mr. Darcy in his depiction of Anthony Bridgerton. The brooding vibes! The tension-filled dancing! The enemies-to-lovers of it all! There are several beloved adaptations of the classic Jane Austen novel out there — but the 2005 film features a moment extremely reminiscent of Kate and Anthony’s hallway hand graze in Bridgerton Season 2 (you know the scene!), if you were into that.
13
Wuthering Heights
Bailey told Radio Times he was also inspired, in part, by Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights... and it shows. Both characters have a knack for delivering wild, angry love confessions, for starters — and as Bailey put it, “it’s interesting to ... explore why romantic male figures are so harsh and toxic towards women.” Granted, the 1939 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel does not end quite as happily as Bridgerton Season 2, but it’s still worth a watch.
14
Little Women
Director Greta Gerwig's refreshing take on Louisa May Alcott's classic story of the four March sisters was so captivating that it garnered six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. The emotional and empowering film features roughly 75 period costumes, the stunning backdrop of Harvard, Massachusetts, and a stacked ensemble cast of Saorise Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, and Laura Dern. Need we say more?
15
Downton Abbey
Similar to Bridgerton, Downton Abbey focuses on an aristocratic family in England, but it also explores the lives of the servants who work for them and gives viewers an entirely different perspective on the upper class. With six seasons, two spinoff feature films, and numerous Golden Globes and Emmys to its merit, you’re guaranteed to get sucked into this beloved British import that features high-profile actors, including Harry Potter’s Maggie Smith and Pam & Tommy’s Lily James. Now is the perfect time to dive into the series, as the sequel film Downton Abbey: A New Era hit theaters on May 20.
16
Sanditon
Set in Regency-era England, this PBS series fleshes out an unfinished Jane Austen manuscript. When Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) arrives in the quiet town of Sanditon, she finds conflict with Sidney Parker (Theo James), the son of an entrepreneur attempting to develop the town. Eventually, of course, they find a way to get past their differences and fall in love. Sound familiar? Following critical acclaim and a ravenous fan campaign, the series was recently picked up for Seasons 2 and 3 after initially being canceled. While James didn’t return, new characters were added for the new season, which premiered March 20 on PBS.
17
Victoria
This British series follows Queen Victoria (played by Jenna Coleman), who ruled Great Britain for 63 years from 1837 to 1901. In contrast to Bridgerton, Victoria is a much more straightforward retelling of events — a perfect fit if you’re looking for historical accuracy rather than sensationalized drama. Thanks to critical acclaim for its actors’ performances and romantic storylines, the series received two Emmy nominations over its three seasons.
18
The Gilded Age
From Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, HBO’s The Gilded Age is another historical drama offering an upstairs, downstairs perspective on high society. Set in 1880s New York, the series stars Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brooks, who moves to the city from Pennsylvania and finds herself embroiled in a family battle of old money versus new. Also starring Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon, the hit series has already been renewed for Season 2.
19
Austenland
Unlike most other titles on this list, Austenland is not a period piece — but it’s deliciously meta. Jane (Keri Russell) is a woman so desperately obsessed with the romance and chivalry of Jane Austen’s romance novels (same!) that she shells out her life savings to attend an immersive, theme park-like experience inspired by the books. It’s hilarious and sweet and, yes, way too relatable if you’re a massive fan of Bridgerton and other period romances.
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