We try to keep our TV show diet wide and varying, but even more importantly, we try to keep it balanced. While we definitely enjoy the junk food that is reality TV shows (especially 90 Day Fiancé) we have no problems clearing the veggies (aka the period dramas and related educational programming) from our plate, either.
For a long time, Downton Abbey was our go-to show whenever we needed a healthy dose of culture, but it’s been a few years now since the series finale aired, and we’ve had to find other shows to fill that quality television void. Check out these 10 other shows that Downton Abbey fans are sure to love!
Updated by Madison Lennon on April 17, 2020: Downton Abbey concluded a while ago now, but the popular show left in a hole in many fans’ hearts that they’ve yet to fill.
Thankfully, there are a lot of fantastic period dramas out there to help anyone missing the series, the complicated characters, the complex relationships, and all the incredible dialogue and storytelling. We’ve updated the following list with a few more excellent suggestions for anyone still seeking a new series to remind them of Downton Abbey.
Call The Midwife
Adapted from the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth, Call the Midwife is a compelling PBS period drama revolving around a group of midwives and nurses working in East London during the 1950s and ’60s. Call the Midwife is tremendously popular, scoring a multi-season renewal through 2022.
The series deals with a range of serious topics, including prostitution, miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, love, racism, religion, poverty, and much more.
Belgravia
Belgravia is the newest series on this list and perhaps the best option for anyone missing Downton Abbey. Julian Fellowes, the creator, writer and executive producer of Downton Abbey, also created the ITV and Epix co-production. The series is based on his historical novel of the same name.
It begins on the night of the infamous ball held by the Duchess of Richmond on the eve of the Battle of Quatre Bras. We meet the Trenchard and the Brockenhurst families in 1815 Brussels before skipping ahead by 25 years to Belgravia, where we learn about a startling secret that connects two unlikely families.
Outlander
Outlander is more dramatic and fantastical than Downton Abbey thanks to the time-traveling elements, but the two series do have several similarities. They’re both beautifully-produced period dramas with plenty of romantic turmoil and shocking storylines.
Outlander is more inclined toward the romance than Downton Abbey and not quite as sharp in terms of dialogue, but it is an easy show to get roped into, and the cast is not only gorgeous to look at but quite talented, as well. Outlander is still airing, too, so you won’t have a shortage of episodes any time soon. It is one of Starz’s most popular series. If you like it, you can read the book series it is based on written by Diana Gabaldon.
The Crown
The Crown is a critically-acclaimed Netflix series starring Claire Foy that chronicles the political and personal life of Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. Peter Morgan’s 2006 film, The Queen, heavily inspired the series.
The Crown begins in Elizabeth’s younger years and continues into her 21st-century reign. Netflix renewed it for two more seasons, which will bring its total count up to five. To maintain realism, the series recasts its actors every two seasons to show the passage of time.
Harlots
Harlots is a seriously underrated Hulu Original series that follows a brothel owner and many of her workers during 18th-century London. Samantha Morton (The Walking Dead) stars as Margaret Wells, the owner of a popular brothel and the mother of two daughters.
Margaret faces competition from a rival madam, and the two begin fighting to regain control over the town at any cost.
10. Victoria
Starring Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who), Victoria follows the life of the young princess and her ascension to the throne at the young age of 18. The show explores Victoria’s personal issues, her strict upbringing, her courtship with Prince Albert, and her unique political position. As someone so young who required so much guidance, she’s someone who was also the leader of an entire country.
9. Mr. Selfridge
Starring Jeremy Piven (Entourage) as the title guy, Mr. Selfridge tells the story of Harry Gordon Selfridge, a self-made retail magnate who opened a chain of retail stores called Selfridge & Co back in the early 1900s, and which are still alive and kicking today. Drama abounds in this series with tales of love, loss, and friendship.
8. Upstairs Downstairs
If you love the upstairs/downstairs dynamic of Downton Abbey, then we bet our bottom dollar that you’ll love the upstairs/downstairs dynamic of Upstairs Downstairs. This series (which you can watch on Hulu) first aired from 1971 to 1975, and took place between 1903 and 1930. The show was rebooted in 2010, and stars Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard), Claire Foy (The Crown), and Eileen Atkins (who, interestingly, co-created the original series).
The rebooted Upstairs Downstairs begins in 1936, and gives viewers a good idea of what it was like to live in England just before World War II. Of course, the series isn’t all political discourse, it’s got plenty of family drama and good humor to enjoy, too.
7. Ordeal By Innocence
A classic whodunnit erupts when wealthy heiress Rachel Argyll is found bludgeoned to death in her family’s home. It appears the case is solved when her adopted son Jack’s fingerprints are found at the scene, and he’s arrested. Eighteen months later, Rachel’s maid, husband, and four remaining adopted children are called into question when a man arrives and provides an alibi for Jack. The case is reopened, and the family’s many secrets begin to unravel.
6. Parade’s End
Parade’s End is like somebody got a Bedazzler for their birthday or something, and then they just went crazy studding the cast of this miniseries with stars. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Rebecca Hall (Holmes and Watson), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), Rufus Sewell (The Man in the High Castle) —the list goes on and on!
Based on a collection of novels by Ford Madox Ford, HBO’s Parade’s End follows the life of British noble, Christopher Tietjens (Cumberbatch), before, during, and after World War I. His relationship with an unconventional pacifist and suffragette, as well as his wife’s promiscuity, threaten to jeopardize their respectability in society.
5. Poldark
Poldark stars Aidan Turner (The Hobbit) as Ross Poldark, a veteran of the American War for Independence who, upon returning home to England, discovers his father has died, leaving behind an estate, debts, and a copper mine. Ross is bummed when he learns his childhood sweetheart is engaged to his cousin, but he finds comfort in a poor, young woman named Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) whom he takes in. And dare I say it’s so scandalous for the time period and makes for gripping television.
4. The Durrells In Corfu
After diving headfirst into unfamiliar waters, the Durrells are forced to adapt to the island’s ways and work to solve their financial problems. Also starring The Crown’s Josh O’Connor as Gerald’s older writer brother Larry, The Durrells in Corfu is a fantastic family comedy-drama that’ll deliver a lot of laughs.
3. War And Peace
Brought to viewer’s by BBC One, War and Peace is available on Hulu, so if you’re a big fan of period dramas and/or Russian literature, that’s the place you should make a beeline for now.
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy and starring Paul Dano (There Will be Blood), Lily James (Cinderella) and James Norton (Happy Valley), the story opens in Russia in 1805, just before the start of the French invasion of Russia. Five aristocratic families must grapple with the devastating effects of war, as well as the many societal conventions of peacetime. Lavishly costumed and with A+ acting, War and Peace is a must-see miniseries.
2. Wolf Hall
The story centers on the life of Thomas Cromwell (Rylance). It illustrates his modest beginnings, his rise to power, and his delicate position as chief minister to King Henry VIII (Damien Lewis). Cromwell seems to move the royals around like pieces on a chessboard, orchestrating the fall of Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy), but he walks a very fine line.
1. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Based on the novels by Kerry Greenwood, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is an absolute delight. Well, you know, as much of an absolute delight as a series of homicides can be, anyway. You can catch this series on Netflix. Oh, and, pro tip: make plenty of popcorn in advance, because each episode of this series is a real nail-biter!
Starring Essie Davis (Game of Thrones) as Phryne Fisher, Miss Fisher is a wealthy, independent aristocrat with a penchant for solving crimes. The Robin to Miss Fisher’s Batman is her paid companion, Dot Williams (Ashleigh Cummings), and together, the pair solve all manner of mysteries in 1920s Melbourne.
