If you're captivated by the opulent costumes, simmering romances, and scandalous secrets of Bridgerton, you're in luck. Shonda Rhimes' Netflix hit, based on Julia Quinn's novels, has sparked a resurgence of interest in lavish period dramas. While Bridgerton itself continues to deliver, the world is brimming with other compelling series that offer similar delights. If you're searching for shows like 'Bridgerton' you should watch next, this guide explores a curated selection of historical dramas that promise intrigue, passion, and unforgettable characters.
Regency Romance and Beyond
The allure of Bridgerton lies in its perfect blend of historical setting and modern sensibilities. It takes the familiar tropes of Regency romance--balls, societal pressures, arranged marriages, and hidden desires--and injects them with a contemporary energy, complete with steamy scenes and a diverse cast. This formula has resonated deeply, making it a benchmark for those seeking similar viewing experiences. The following selections capture that magic, offering everything from Austen-esque charm to more daring interpretations of historical periods, ensuring there are plenty of shows like 'Bridgerton' you will find yourself drawn to.
Modern Takes on Historical Worlds
Some series capture the spirit of Bridgerton through bold stylistic choices and contemporary music, even while set in the past. These shows aren't afraid to bend historical accuracy for the sake of captivating storytelling and visual flair.
The Buccaneers (2023 - )
Set in the glittering 1870s, this Apple TV+ series adapts an unfinished Edith Wharton novel. The Buccaneers follows a group of spirited young American heiresses, the so-called "dollar princesses," who descend upon London society in search of titles and wealthy husbands. While not as overtly stylized as Bridgerton, it embraces modern music and costuming liberties to tell a soapy story of ambition, societal maneuvering, and the unexpected pursuit of true love. The blend of historical backdrop with a fresh, energetic approach makes it a compelling watch for fans seeking shows like 'Bridgerton' you might enjoy.
My Lady Jane (2024)
For a more fantastical twist on history, My Lady Jane offers a steamy, genre-bending take on the nine-day reign of Lady Jane Grey. This Prime Video series imagines a world where an oppressed class of humans can shapeshift into animals. It's a bonkers, fun, and surprisingly romantic adventure that flips the script on historical damsels in distress, making it a unique entry for those looking for shows like 'Bridgerton' you can binge.
The Great (2020 - 2023)
This Hulu series offers a darkly comedic and irreverent look at the rise of Catherine the Great. Described as an "occasionally true story," it's less a history lesson and more a sharp political satire fueled by the volatile, often lustful relationship between Catherine (Elle Fanning) and Emperor Peter III (Nicholas Hoult). The show revels in the tension between power and passion, making it a deliciously witty and addictive choice.
Dickinson (2019 - 2021)
Apple TV+'s Dickinson takes a scrupulously weird and wonderful approach to the life of poet Emily Dickinson. The series uses anachronisms and modern sensibilities to portray Dickinson's struggles to fit into her 19th-century world. It's beautifully filmed, brilliantly acted, and surprisingly light, offering a unique perspective on a historical figure that feels fresh and unexpected, much like the early seasons of Bridgerton.
The Decameron (2024)
Transporting viewers to plague-ridden 14th-century Italy, Netflix's The Decameron offers a darkly funny and surprisingly humane look at a group of nobles hiding in a villa. With Bridgerton-esque swagger, the show explores how societal norms unravel when people are forced together under extreme circumstances. Despite its focus on often terrible characters, it makes for an addictive binge experience that deserved more attention.
Classic Tales with a Modern Edge
These series draw from classic literature or historical periods, infusing them with the drama, romance, and scandal that fans of Bridgerton crave.
The Gilded Age (2022 - )
From Julian Fellowes, the mastermind behind Downton Abbey, this HBO series transports viewers to 1880s New York City. It chronicles the clash between old money aristocracy and the ostentatious new wealth of the era. Following Marian Brook and Peggy Scott as they navigate this glittering, cutthroat society, the show offers a delicious mix of social climbing, rivalry, and lavish production design that feels both familiar and fresh.
Sanditon (2019 - 2023)
Based on Jane Austen's final, unfinished novel, Sanditon offers a purer distillation of Regency-era thrills. The independent Charlotte Heywood moves to a seaside resort town and finds herself entangled in the lives of schemers, entrepreneurs, and, of course, romantic prospects. It delivers the balls, fancy costumes, and romantic complications expected from an Austen-inspired drama.
The Tudors (2007 - 2010)
This historical drama dives into the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII, playing fast and loose with facts to deliver a highly entertaining and often steamy narrative. Jonathan Rhys Meyers portrays a captivating Henry, while the female characters, particularly Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer), prove to be as politically savvy as they are romantically entangled. It's a dramatic and passionate look at a pivotal historical period.
Reign (2013 - 2017)
For those who enjoy a healthy dose of camp and melodrama with their historical settings, Reign is a perfect fit. This CW drama follows the early life and reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, as she navigates court intrigue, romance, and power struggles. It's soapy, sexy, and unapologetically fun, capturing the heightened drama that many viewers seek in shows like Bridgerton.
Washington Black (2025)
Set to premiere in 2025, Washington Black promises a compelling blend of steampunk aesthetics and historical narrative, much like Bridgerton's heightened style. Based on Esi Edugyan's novel, it follows a young, formerly enslaved genius who becomes an inventor and explorer. With mentorship from Sterling K. Brown, the series explores adventure while confronting the realities of being Black in the 19th century, highlighting innovation and joy within that history.
The Cook of Castamar (2021)
This Spanish import transports viewers to 18th-century Madrid, where a gifted cook, Clara Belmonte, finds herself working for the reclusive Duke of Castamar. As the Duke navigates societal pressures to remarry and Clara battles her own agoraphobia, their paths inevitably cross. The series is rich with subplots, simmering tension, and plenty of sensuality, making it a captivating watch for fans of European period dramas.
The Law According to Lidia Poët (2023 - )
Set in 1880s Italy, this fast-paced crime drama dramatizes the life of Lidia Poët, the country's first female lawyer. Disbarred at the series' start, she takes a job at her brother's firm, where her sharp intellect becomes crucial in solving complex cases. Blending historical intrigue with a dash of romance and sex, it's a stylish and engaging series that offers a different kind of historical drama.
Scandal and Society
These series delve into the complexities of social structures, power dynamics, and the often-hidden lives within historical societies, mirroring the scandalous undercurrents of Bridgerton.
Harlots (2017 - 2019)
Set in Georgian England, Harlots offers a unique perspective by focusing on the lives of high-end sex workers. The series explores the fierce competition and intricate power plays between rival brothels, particularly when Margaret Wells moves her establishment into direct conflict with her former madam. It's a faster-paced, sexier, and more explicit take on historical drama, highlighting the resilience and ambition of its female characters.
Gentleman Jack (2019 - 2022)
Based on the prolific diaries of Anne Lister, this clever and funny series explores the life of a landowner and industrialist in 1830s England. Suranne Jones stars as Lister, a queer trailblazer who navigates property disputes and a burgeoning romance with Ann Walker. The show's authenticity, derived from Lister's own words, provides a rich and compelling portrayal of a woman living outside societal norms.
Queen Charlotte (2023)
As a direct Bridgerton spin-off, this series is an obvious, yet essential, recommendation. It maintains the original show's stylish flair while focusing intently on the young Queen Charlotte's passionate and often tortured romance with King George III. The series beautifully captures the pressures of royal life and the king's struggles with mental illness, creating a deeply moving and compelling love story.
