6 British Period Shows That You’ll Want To Binge
Our world is teeming with chaos, conflict, and difficulty; it can often feel like times before our own were so much simpler – of course, any period in history was fraught with its own set of challenges and battles, but experiencing the unique issues the world faces today firsthand has a special way of making us yearn to escape our own time, and be transported to another time.
This is what makes period pieces so enticing to us: we’re able to leave behind the world in its current state and step into an entirely different age, so far removed from our present circumstances, and live in a different world for a while (often with rather dazzling clothing, in our opinion).
And if we’re honest, there’s something especially lovely and wonderful about British period dramas – the accents, the costumes, the copious amounts of tea, the grand estates, and the gorgeous English countryside beckon us to come and stay awhile.
If you’re in need of such an escape, below you’ll find 6 excellent British period dramas that you’ll absolutely want to binge watch.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
You’ve read the book; you’ve seen the 2005 film adaptation; but have you seen the 1995 BBC miniseries production of Pride and Prejudice (often regarded as superior to the film)? Such a beloved tale as that of the Bennet family’s requires more than a couple of hours! Watch as Elizabeth Bennet, everyone’s favorite heroine, falls for the prickly yet ultimately loveable Mr. Darcy – but this time, over the course of a few wonderful episodes.
Poirot (1989-2013)
The spirit of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, a prim and peculiar Belgian detective with quite the knack for solving odd, confusing murder cases is perfectly captured in this brilliant series. While every episode focuses on a different murder, they’ll immediately draw you in with intriguing storylines and marvelous dialogue. If you’re looking for a fun British mystery series, it doesn’t get any better than this.
The Crown (2016-2023)
Aren’t we all curious about what being the Queen of England entails? This historical drama outlines the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her earliest days as a young queen. Not only is it stunningly produced, written, and performed, it offers viewers an incredibly intriguing (though definitely dramatized) look at the hidden yet significant moments of her life, marriage, challenges, and relationships. Plus, the latest season includes a fan favorite: Princess Diana.
Call the Midwife (2012-present)
This incredibly touching, amusing, vibrant series tells the stories of a group of midwives and nuns living in 1950s East End London, drawing audiences in with heartwarming, beautiful depictions of friendship, family, faith, love, and womanhood. This dazzling show also boasts 11 (!) seasons, so you’ll find yourself quite invested by the time you’ve caught up to its latest season.
Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
What better place to escape than the English countryside in the early 1900s? Downton Abbey offers a beautifully grand escape from our current time as we follow the lives of the Crawleys, a well-to-do family with three daughters, as well as the lives of the servants working for them. Packed full of love, heartbreak, familial challenges, and charming English isms, this one will keep you busy for a while.
Victoria (2016-2019)
Is there anything so captivating as the private life of a royal? This Masterpiece series outlines the life of Queen Victoria, starting with the beginning of her reign at just eighteen years old. We follow along as she falls in love and becomes a mother, all while balancing the demands of the throne, marriage, motherhood, and familial drama.