Warning: This article discusses topics of sexual assault, suicide, and political and religious beliefs.
There are loads of fantasticperiod drama TV showsfrom the UK that US viewers haven’t seen but should check out. Some ofthe best TV shows of all timeare period dramas, with the genre being so popular because of how many settings and plots come under the label. Period dramas are set in the past, which can vary from ten years ago to centuries. This allows for all manner of characters and stories to unfold.
Period dramas continue to soar in popularity,especially in recent years, as streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime are jumping on the trend.TV shows likeBridgertonare notably successful because they send audiences back in time and draw them into a new world. British TV is known for producing stellar period dramas, and some titles are relatively unknown in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve more attention across the globe.
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Poldarkstars Aidan Turner as the titular character, and his performance is one of the best qualities of the show overall.Poldarkis an adaptation of a book seriesby Winston Graham and spans between 1781 and 1801, right at the heart of and after the fallout of the American Revolutionary War. Ross Poldark’s return to his home in Cornwall after being a dedicated member of the British army, only to discover that he is now the heir to his father’s estate, is a compelling premise.
Ross’ struggle over his lost love, Elizabeth, who Heida Reed portrays, is another brilliant part of the show.
Rather than focusing too much on the war itself,Poldarkspends significant time on Ross’ personal connections. His relationship with his former maid and then wife, Eleanor Tomlinson’s Demelza, stands out.Poldarkalso heavily relies on romance to drive the plot forward. Ross’ struggle over his lost love, Elizabeth, who Heida Reed portrays, is another brilliant part of the show. Its themes of duty and grief are prominent throughout, and itmakesPoldarkan addictive watch,even despite its abrupt ending.
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Upstairs, Downstairs’ five-season run follows two titular groups, the“downstairs”servants and their“upstairs”masters, in a Belgravian townhouse in the early 1900s. The show excellently uses a fictional story to demonstrate real historical events. AsUpstairs, Downstairsprogresses with every episode, viewers watch the slow destruction of the British aristocracy play out before them. From 1903 to 1930,Upstairs, Downstairslooks at societal breakthroughs such as the suffragette movementand World War Ithrough the eyes of its characters.
What’s so great aboutUpstairs, Downstairsis that it offers perspectives from both sides.The wealthy Bellamy family and their status give them different opportunities and outcomes in situations that their staff, like butler Angus and parlormaid Sarah, could only dream of. Despite this, there is a charm toUpstairs, Downstairswhich produces a feel-good warmth for audiences, rather than the show consistently being morbid.
All Creatures Great and Smallseason 5is proving that the show’s concept is still appealing in recent years. That said, the 1978 original is still significantly better than its contemporary counterpart. The show is based on Alf Wright’s books, under the pen name James Herriot, and the true stories about his time as a veterinarian in 1930s Yorkshire. WhileAll Creatures Great and Smallis a wholesome idea, each main character has storylines that prove that the sweet and pleasant village life can be dramatic at times. For example,Doctor Whoalum Peter Davison’s character, Tristan, is a womanizer.
All Creatures Great and Smallnever goes too far, though.It ensures that its characters are just regular people, which is something audiences find easy to relate to.All Creatures Great and Smalldoesn’t require a lot of attention to engage in. Each episode of the series is quite easy to follow. Moreover, the project’s soundtrack is beautifully reflective of a simpler time.
Cranfordmay only have one installment and a two-part Christmas special, but it’s still a hidden gem in British TV. The show is set in the fictional titular village of the Victorian era, following an ensemble cast with a specific focus on women who are without husbands, whether it’s by choice or not.Cranfordhas a star-studded cast that includes some of the biggest stars to ever come out of the UK,including Judi Dench as Matty Jenkyns, Celia Imrie as Lady Glenmire, and Dame Imelda Staunton as Octavia Pole.
Cranfordfascinatingly looks at how the female residents of the village are treated based on their relationship status. For example, Matty and her sister are spinsters and mostly embrace this lifestyle, whereas Julia Sawalha’s Jessie Brown strangely rejects two proposals from a man she truly loves. In some ways,Cranfordis comparable toLittle Womenbecause of the varied opinions of each character.While it’s a shame that the show isn’t going to receive any more chapters,Cranfordstill works amazingly with seven episodes, and it is one ofthe best TV miniseries ever.
Jenna Coleman portrays the titular monarch inVictoria —one ofthe best historical TV shows, which follows the events of the Queen’s reign.Coleman’s performance as Victoria is astounding, and she does a fabulous job of translating the character’s struggles to the screen. The events of the show start with Queen Victoria’s ascension to the throne in 1837 at just 18 and up until the discovery of Prince Albert’s health issues in 1851. That said, not every factual aspect of the show is about the royals.
Lord Alfred Paget and the Prime Minister’s personal secretary, Edward Drummond, are both real figures from the past, but their shocking kiss in season 3 isn’t fact.
ThroughoutVictoria, certain storylines cover several major historical moments. For example, in season 2, the Anglo-Afghan war and the Irish famine are examined. However,Victoria’s success in the UK is because of its fictional subplots.Lord Alfred Paget and the Prime Minister’s personal secretary, Edward Drummond, are both real figures from the past, but their shocking kiss in season 3 isn’t fact. Despite this,Victoriastill presents a story that would have happened at that time, which gives the show an edge and makes it unique.
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Casanovais one ofDavid Tennant’s best TV characters, and his performance as the titular personality paves the way for him to play one of the most beloved Doctors inDoctor Who. The suave charisma that Tennant offers as the iconic philanderer Giacomo Casanova is fabulous, which makes the wacky antics he gets up to throughout the show that much better.Casanovais set in the backdrop of 18th-century Italy and is based on the real man’s memoirs,with the character reflecting on the adventures of his younger self through a wiser and elder mindset.
Casanovais remembered for its upbeat pacing and hilarious scenes. This is especially notable in moments between Tennant and Laura Fraser as Henriette, both of whom have stellar chemistry and provide incredible performances throughout. Giacomo Casanova’s life is carefree and relaxed, butCasanova’s biggest praise comes from its ability to convey the adventurer’s past in a light-hearted way while also offering wisdom and life lessons throughout.
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Parade’s Endis one ofthe best TV shows for those who likeDownton Abbey. Set in the early 1900s,Parade’s Endlooks at the varying political and religious beliefs of three people. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Christopher Tietjens is a dedicated Conservative political supporter, while his wife Sylvia is Catholic and rather open about being so sexual. However, things change for Christopher when he meets the open-minded suffragette Valentine Wannop.Parade’s Endfollows the events leading up to and during World War Iand how the landscape of society greatly changed during this time.
While the shadow of conflict is always lurking in the background ofParade’s End, the characters’ respective storylines are far more interesting.Christopher’s discovery that Sylvia became pregnant before marrying him and her continuous unfaithfulness, for example, is a prominent plot point throughoutParade’s End. The most fascinating and important part ofParade’s Endis that it shows just how values and morals can be altered by the collapse of the world, as well as by the impact of other people.
Father BrownfeaturesHarry Potterstar Mark Williams as the titular character, a Roman Catholic priest who also investigates various crimes within his parish. The show is set in the early 1950s in the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleford, which is odd but intriguing, especially as, at that time in history, the Church of England took precedence in the UK.AlthoughFather Brownisn’t as critically acclaimed as many ofthe best mystery TV shows of the 2020s, the fact that the show is still airing new seasons over 11 years later is still impressive.
Father Brownis a great story-of-the-week TV show and is a perfect title to invest in, especially because the lead character is so likable. He is flawed, like anyone, butBrown’s approach to historically accurate situations like the death penalty and the fallout of World War II proves that he is ahead of his time.The best part of the character, though, is that he is a complete pain to the local police force, but this is what makes him so engaging.
The 2005 adaptation of Charles Dickens' novelBleak Houseis surprisingly gripping.The miniseries consists of 15 episodes and focuses on a tense multi-generational conflict over a family estate, primarily between Lady Dedlock and John Jarndyce. However, there are also subplots interwoven throughBleak Housethat aren’t just about how unfair the 19th-century legal system is.Bleak Houseuses stories of romance, hidden identities, and deadly illnesses to draw viewers in, too.
While recreating such a timeless novel to be engaging and compelling is a difficult feat, the BBC’s interpretation ofBleak Houseaccomplishes this.
Despite being such a fleeting project,Bleak Househas an astonishing cast list full of huge British names, including Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock,Carey Mulligan as Ada Clare, and Dame Sheila Hancock as Mrs. Guppy. While recreating such a timeless novel to be engaging and compelling is a difficult feat, the BBC’s interpretation ofBleak Houseaccomplishes this. If the 1920 version isthe definitive movie adaptation of the classic Dickens book, then the 2005 miniseries is the stand-out for TV.
Doctor Zhivagois set during the Russian Revolution and Civil War, which started in 1917 and ended in 1923.Doctor Zhivagois one ofKeira Knightley’s best period pieces, in which she plays Lara Guishar Antipova, a Moscow local who encapsulates the attention of three local men. As the events ofDoctor Zhivagounravel, Lara attempts to balance these relationships despite their actions impacting the surrounding destruction.Doctor Zhivagois incredibly moving, especially as its storylines delve into the dark consequences of war-torn Russia and the extreme behavior that grief causes.
At no point doesDoctor Zhivagoattempt to glorify these events; if anything, it shines an overly honest light on them.Doctor Zhivagodiscusses sexual assault, suicide, and the power of jealousy incredibly well, and while many moments are quite uncomfortable, these scenes push viewers to understand the harsh reality of 1900s Russia. Severalperiod drama TV showsrely on love stories and fighting back against societal expectations. WhileDoctor Zhivagodoes the same, it also subverts audiences' expectations of such a project.
