Mary & George
Binge, Foxtel (one season)
Nicholas Galitzine has become something of a hot topic since Amazon Prime released the rom-com The Idea of You. But before his steamy tryst with Anne Hathaway, he was the son of a countess ordered to seduce King James I in Mary & George.
Inspired by Benjamin Wooley’s 2018 non-fiction book, The King’s Assassin, the show takes its story in a queer and ferociously witty direction. It offers deception and treachery, much of which is played brilliantly by Julianne Moore as the countess, paired with sexual candour and sentimentality. If that doesn’t satisfy period drama cravings, what does?
The Great
Stan* (three seasons)
Ever wonder how Empress Catherine the Great rose to power in 18th century Russia? Well, this show won’t exactly give you all the facts, but it will offer you the general (juicy) gist. So, if you’re sick of Regency era London, a la Bridgerton, or any other British period for that matter, try this riotous jaunt through Russia instead.
Created by Poor Things screenwriter Tony McNamara, who is Australian-born, The Great is replete with both outrageous comedy and sincerely heartbreaking decisions, including what Catherine (Elle Fanning) must compromise for power. There’s also plenty of sex for those who watch Bridgerton for more (or, rather, less) than just the corsets and cravats…
Downton Abbey
Amazon Prime, Binge, Foxtel (six seasons)
Cast your minds back to 2010: Lady Gaga was wearing meat dresses, Apple released its first iPad and Downton Abbey landed on TV. If you haven’t watched any of its six seasons (or two films), then look no further because you have a lot of catching up to do.
Set in post-Edwardian England, Downton Abbey is the epitome of “upstairs, downstairs” living – the affluent Crawley family in the main house and the lowly servants in the basement. From untimely deaths, suicides-disguised-as-murders and an all-star cast (Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Dan Stevens), there’s a reason this show has remained a defining piece within the genre.
Harlots
Stan (three seasons)
In case you haven’t noticed, sex is a big deal in period dramas (understandable given how hot and bothered you’d become under all those taffeta layers). As the name suggests, Harlots takes raunch to another level.
Set in Georgian England, a group of women decides to use sex work as a means to forge their own path. Unsurprisingly, this upsets a fair few people, including religious moralists, the police and rival brothels. What’s a period drama without a little conflict and a lot of revealed skin?
The Gilded Age
Paramount+ (two seasons)
Bridgerton has shown what it was like to be a young woman in Regency era England, but what was happening on the other side of the world?
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes explores this in The Gilded Age, a show set in 19th century New York City. It examines the divide between new and old money in high society, as the new-money Russell family clashes with their old-money neighbours, the van Rhijn family. It has an all-star cast to boot, including Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald.
The Empress
Netflix (one season)
If The Empress is any indication, the 19th century Viennese court was a pretty dramatic place.
This German historical drama follows the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who at just 16 years old falls for Emperor Franz. But after marrying, Elisabeth finds herself in the midst of political turmoil and scheming in-laws. This is a refreshing shift for a genre largely dominated by the English language.
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