15 Historical Dramas for Lovers of ‘Downton Abbey’
Experts have attributed Downton Abbey‘s smashing success to the United Kingdom’s most lucrative export — Englishness. The class-driven drama’s success paved the way for subsequent hits of the same ilk, including Bridgerton.
Much of the magic of television and film lies in its ability to transport viewers. Downton Abbey brings most audience members into both a different place and time, from their couches in the United States (or elsewhere) to an early-1900s countryside estate in Yorkshire, England. The show has a double-edged value, providing a glimpse at a bygone British era while also delivering plenty of testy class dynamics and drama.
Those who enjoy Downton Abbey have a healthy regard for history, costumes, and complex interpersonal dynamics. Fortunately for those who have burned through Downton Abbey‘s finite episodes, several other shows hit these same marks.
1. Upstairs, Downstairs (1971)
Take Downton Abbey‘s Crawley family and swap them for the Bellamy clan, and you get Upstairs, Downstairs. The co-creator of the latter show, Jean Marsh, alleged that Downton Abbey ripped-off of the earlier program. While Marsh admitted that Downton Abbey‘s parallels to Upstairs, Downstairs “might be a coincidence,” she also said cheekily that “I might be the queen of Belgium.”
Viewers should be excited to learn there is a show practically identical to Downtown Abbey, down to the Edwardian estate setting. With the Crawleys no longer on the air, dipping into the archives can satisfy the itch for a British period drama.
2. The Terror (2018)
The first season of The Terror brings the British accents, interpersonal strife, and hefty costume budget that Downton Abbey fans have grown used to. Better yet, audiences get to learn about history as The Terror documents Sir John Franklin’s failed search for the Northwest Passage in 1845.
A seasoned cast, including Jared Harris and Ciaran Hinds, navigates the frozen north, mysterious disappearances, and an increasingly disgruntled crew in this tense, engrossing drama.
3. The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024)
While The Tattooist of Auschwitz is not for the squeamish or joy-seeking, it is an important series rooted in real people.
The protagonist is Lali Sokolov, a resident of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp amidst the backdrop of World War II. Sokolov shouldered the burden of tattooing fellow prisoners’ wrists with the identification numbers that would become synonymous with the Holocaust. While this drama weighs heavy, it stands out as one of Peacock’s best original programs to date.
4. The Great (2020)
Two of their generation’s most promising young actors, Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, made The Great succeed as a unique show that blended dry humor with a loose history class. Creator Tony McNamara focuses on the internal conflicts of protagonist Catherine the Great, a German noblewoman who marries Russian royalty.
McNamara and critics have noted the show’s frequent disregard for historical accuracy. As entertainment, though, the sharp comedy repeatedly hits the mark.
5. Chernobyl (2019)
One of the most highly regarded television series ever produced, Chernobyl recreates the harrowing meltdown of a nuclear reactor in the Soviet Union. Creator Craig Mazin’s decision to use primarily English actors to portray Soviet characters took many aback, but ultimately, the choice makes this an accessible series that leaves a long-lasting impression on viewers.
Stunning visuals, tight writing, and the ever-present reality that this disaster actually happened combine for a riveting five-episode journey into nuclear catastrophe.
6. The Tudors (2007)
The English Renaissance was a heck of a time for elaborate outfits, but the costumes are only one of several reasons to check out The Tudors. Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ King Henry VIII drifts from his wife towards mistress Anne Boleyn while outsourcing much of his decision-making to an increasingly influential cardinal.
The same drama, romance, and class dynamics that make Downtown Abbey so addictive also drive The Tudors‘ intriguing plot lines. Toss in the added dynamic of royalty and viewers have every reason to tune in.
7. Call the Midwife (2012)
Far from an American household name, Call the Midwife is nevertheless a long-running, critically acclaimed BBC series. The show follows midwives in 1950s and 1960s London, and viewers can only imagine the types of hijinks a British midwife gets into.
The realities a midwife faces parallel the challenges of working as the hired help. Downton Abbey fans will also be familiar with the English accents. With 13 seasons in the books, the popularity of this enduring English program speaks for itself.
8. Babylon Berlin (2017)
Who knew the crumbling Weimar Republic would make for such riveting television?
Babylon Berlin offers history buffs a vivid glimpse into a rarely featured setting. Vibrant nightlife contrasts with increasingly widespread financial hardship, and the travails of foreign detective Gereon Rath only add to the show’s constant intrigue. A seedy and labyrinthine criminal underworld takes center stage, and viewers find it difficult to look away once they start watching Babylon Berlin.
9. All the Light We Cannot See (2023)
World War II always makes a great starting point when seeking alluring historical dramas. That’s where All the Light We Cannot See begins.
The show explores the complex dynamics that emerge when a talented Axix soldier encounters a blind French female in the nation his country happens to be occupying. The show’s creators find humanity in the places where it is most difficult to uncover. Contrary to ham-handed portrayals of war, All the Light We Cannot See takes a more tactful, human approach to difficult subject matter.
10. The New Look (2024)
The underrated Ben Mendelsohn leads The New Look, portraying fashion icon Christian Dior in this slick offering from Apple TV. Juliette Binoche plays Coco Chanel, and these fashionable protagonists will undoubtedly appeal to those with a healthy appreciation for fine silk.
Creator Todd Kessler has worked on the hit shows The Sopranos, Damages, and Bloodline, which offers reason enough to give The New Look a try. While the show does burn slowly, its intentional focus on character development draws parallels to Downtown Abbey.
11. A Small Light (2023)
For all the attention Anne Frank receives in history classes, precious few projects have featured Frank’s life story. A Small Light changes that by focusing on the woman who concealed Frank and her family during World War II.
Bel Powley plays Miep Gies, whose Secret Annex housed her boss Otto Frank (plus his daughter and six others) during the Axis occupation. This riveting historical drama does justice to a story that sometimes seems almost too thrilling to be true.
12. Sisi (2021)
While not the most critically acclaimed show on this list, fans of Downton Abbey have several reasons to think they would enjoy Sisi. The show illuminates the experience of Elisabeth of Austria, including her childhood years in which she went by “Sisi.”
It is often eye-opening to find how somewhat regular people become figures written about in history books. This is the primary appeal of Sisi, a visually striking series about a figure most people know little about.
13. A Gentleman in Moscow (2024)
Ewan McGregor turns in an impassioned performance every time the director says “action!”. McGregor alone would offer a reason to tune into A Gentleman in Moscow, and his turn as a Russian aristocrat does not disappoint.
Aside from McGregor, this show provides plenty of goosebump-raising moments as it documents the Bolshevik Revolution that plunged early-1900s Russia into terror and chaos. The account of Count Alexander Rostov (McGregor) gives viewers a firsthand glimpse into a violent, ruthless Communist uprising.
14. Domina (2021)
Students of the Latin language know that “domina” refers to a woman of prominence, and this definition hints at the focus of the eponymous show. Domina details the becoming of Livia Drusilla, who would become Rome’s Empress in the days after Caesar.
Few historical settings provide more eye candy and political intrigue than ancient Rome. While critics have noted that Domina takes some time to gain momentum, many found the payoff worth the wait.
15. The Crown (2016)
If anyone ever doubted the public’s fascination with the Royal Family, The Crown has convincingly eradicated that doubt. A strong cast of Brits, including Jonathan Pryce and Helena Bonham Carter, brings the royal lineage to the screen in an entertaining, dramatic fashion.
The Crown has dissuaded many Netflix subscribers from canceling their membership. The show’s final season capitalized on Princess Diana’s controversial role as an outsider entering the Royal fray.
