17 Netflix Period Dramas That Will Sweep You Into Another Era

17 Netflix Period Dramas That Will Sweep You Into Another Era

Ready to escape into candlelit halls, storm-tossed seas, and turbulent courts?

These Netflix period dramas deliver romance, rebellion, and breathtaking history that pulls you right into the thick of it.

From gilded palaces to muddy battlefields, every episode invites you to feel the stakes and root for unforgettable characters.

Queue these up when you crave a different century and a story that lingers.

1. Barbarians (2020)

Nothing about Barbarians feels gentle or polished, and that’s exactly why it works.

The show plunges viewers into the violent collision between Roman ambition and Germanic resistance, capturing every betrayal, shifting alliance, and cultural fracture.

Gritty forests, raw battle sequences, and tense character dynamics create a world where survival is never guaranteed.

Each episode builds toward the fateful uprising that reshaped ancient Europe, grounding spectacle in emotional conviction.

Its fierce storytelling, atmospheric design, and layered motivations turn a brutal slice of history into an engrossing portrait of loyalty, identity, and the cost of defiance.

2. The Empress (2022 – Present)

From its opening scenes, The Empress radiates the restless spirit of a young woman trapped inside imperial expectations.

Elisabeth’s struggle unfolds through delicate romances, strict court politics, and a monarchy unsure of her wild independence.

Lavish gowns, grand palaces, and candlelit intrigue amplify the emotion without overshadowing the character-driven core.

Every interaction pushes her closer to either self-discovery or societal collapse, making the drama both intimate and sweeping.

The series blends elegance with tension, crafting a vibrant portrayal of a historical figure whose complexity continues to intrigue—and whose world feels intensely alive on screen.

3. House of Guinness (2025)

What immediately grabs attention in House of Guinness is its bold portrait of ambition wrapped inside family loyalty.

The story follows the rising brewing empire through personal conflicts, industrial innovation, and the shifting politics of a changing Ireland.

Detailed set pieces and grounded performances give weight to each struggle, whether boardroom negotiations or private disputes.

Generational tension builds as success threatens to fracture the very legacy the family hopes to preserve.

Through its blend of historical atmosphere and character depth, the series transforms a business dynasty into a rich exploration of identity, pride, and the price of influence.

4. One Hundred Years of Solitude (2024)

Few adaptations begin with the dreamlike intensity of One Hundred Years of Solitude, and the series embraces that tone fully.

Macondo’s creation is rendered with striking visual imagination as the Buendía family’s history unfolds across decades of wonder and sorrow.

Magic realism blends seamlessly with political upheaval, heartbreak, and generational repetition, echoing the rhythms of the beloved novel.

Mythic symbols and lyrical pacing shape scenes that shift between intimate and epic.

This interpretation captures the spirit of a masterpiece while offering new cinematic textures, creating a mesmerizing journey through time, memory, and the mystical cycles that bind a family.

5. The Last Kingdom (2018 – 2022)

Every moment in The Last Kingdom feels sharpened by the tension between duty and desire.

Uhtred’s divided loyalties—born Saxon, raised Viking—drive him through battles, betrayals, and the uncertain forging of a nation.

The series excels in military strategy, realistic combat, and the political negotiations shaping early England’s identity.

Rich character arcs bring nuance to both allies and enemies, grounding the violence in emotional truth.

Its sweeping landscapes, fierce momentum, and tightly constructed storylines create a historical epic that remains deeply human, capturing the messy, painful, and heroic work of building a kingdom from fractured lands.

6. Cable Girls (2017 – 2020)

No series captures the pulse of 1920s Madrid quite like Cable Girls.

The story follows four women whose lives intersect inside a bustling telephone exchange, where ambition and secrecy move as quickly as the calls they connect.

Friendship, romance, and personal rebellion collide as they confront restrictive expectations and shifting social norms.

Elegant costumes and period detail enrich the tension without overshadowing the characters’ emotional stakes.

Through its blend of drama, empowerment, and stylish momentum, the series celebrates the courage of women determined to claim their own futures in a world built to silence them.

7. The Leopard (2025)

Stepping into the world of The Leopard feels like entering a fading empire on the brink of transformation.

Set during Italy’s Risorgimento, the story follows aristocrats watching their influence crumble as new political forces rise.

Sumptuous visuals, candlelit estates, and richly textured performances anchor the narrative in melancholy beauty.

Tension deepens as old traditions clash with modern ideals, forcing characters to confront the cost of change.

The adaptation honors the tone of the classic novel while offering a fresh cinematic interpretation, creating a portrait of historical upheaval that feels elegant, haunting, and powerfully reflective.

8. Black Sails (2014 – 2017)

Nothing about Black Sails plays like a simple pirate adventure, and that makes it irresistible.

The series digs into the harsh politics of New Providence, where alliances shift as quickly as fortunes.

Violence, strategy, and betrayal shape the world long before treasure becomes the prize, grounding the story in gritty realism.

Complex characters, especially Flint and Silver, elevate the stakes far beyond swashbuckling spectacle.

With its storm-lashed cinematography, ambitious storytelling, and fierce emotional core, the show reimagines the mythology of piracy as an intense struggle for power, survival, and the fragile hope of freedom.

9. Bridgerton (2020 – Present)

Season after season, Bridgerton sweeps viewers into a Regency world bursting with romance and polished scandal.

Lavish balls, whispered rumors, and ambitious courtships create a social landscape where every gesture carries meaning.

Colorful costumes and orchestral pop covers infuse the era with modern charm while maintaining period elegance.

Family tensions, forbidden passions, and personal reinvention drive the narrative’s emotional pulse.

The show’s irresistible combination of glamour, inclusivity, and heartfelt storytelling transforms high society into an intimate arena where love, status, and vulnerability intertwine, leaving viewers thoroughly enchanted by its irresistible emotional sparkle.

10. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

Beth Harmon’s journey begins with quiet intensity in The Queen’s Gambit, a series that turns chess into a cinematic battleground.

Her rise from orphaned prodigy to international contender is shaped by discipline, addiction, and the hunger to outthink every opponent.

Mid-century design, striking costumes, and stylized camerawork give the show a moody, elegant visual identity.

Each match becomes a psychological duel, revealing both her brilliance and her fragility.

Through its sharp writing and captivating performances, the series transforms an unlikely subject into a powerful character study about genius, loneliness, and the cost of perfection.

11. The Crown (2016 – 2023)

What sets The Crown apart is its steady, unflinching portrayal of power lived under constant public scrutiny.

Elizabeth II’s evolution unfolds through political crises, family strain, and the emotional weight of duty she never chose.

Lavish settings and meticulous costumes ground each decade with striking authenticity.

The series excels at weaving intimate personal struggles into broader historical events, creating tension between private desires and national expectations.

Through its exceptional performances and thoughtful writing, the show becomes a richly layered portrait of a monarchy adapting to a rapidly shifting world while trying to preserve tradition.

12. Vikings (2013 – 2020)

From its earliest moments, Vikings charges forward with the raw ferocity of Norse ambition and myth.

Ragnar Lothbrok’s rise drives the narrative, but the series expands into a sweeping exploration of voyages, faith, and fractured loyalties.

Brutal battles stand beside moments of unexpected tenderness, grounding the characters in emotional complexity.

The show’s devotion to cultural detail and atmospheric landscapes enhances every clash, negotiation, and discovery.

Its blend of historical imagination and character-driven drama creates a world where legacy matters as much as survival, offering a gripping look at the legendary figures who reshaped medieval Europe.

13. Outlander (2014 – Present)

Few series blend romance and history as boldly as Outlander, which begins with one woman torn between centuries.

Claire’s sudden leap through time thrusts her into a dangerous Scotland alive with rebellion, passion, and political upheaval.

Her bond with Jamie fuels the story’s emotional fire, weaving love through war, displacement, and impossible choices.

The show’s stunning landscapes, detailed costumes, and rich cultural texture heighten every encounter.

Its sweeping arcs, heartfelt performances, and genre-crossing ambition create a deeply immersive experience where destiny, identity, and love intertwine across generations.

14. Peaky Blinders (2013 – 2022)

No other period crime drama strides with the same sharp confidence as Peaky Blinders.

The Shelby family’s ascent in post–World War I Birmingham unfolds through violence, strategy, and relentless ambition.

Stylish direction and modern music choices give the gritty setting a bold, unforgettable energy.

Tommy Shelby’s internal battles—shaped by trauma, power, and loyalty—drive the narrative into darker, more complex territory.

The series blends atmosphere, tension, and emotional depth to turn a gangland story into a haunting exploration of survival, reinvention, and the price of ruling an empire built on blood.

15. All the Light We Cannot See (2023)

What immediately distinguishes All the Light We Cannot See is its quiet, luminous approach to wartime storytelling.

Marie-Laure’s resilience and Werner’s conflicted path unfold across a France torn apart by occupation.

The cinematography captures both beauty and devastation, highlighting the human cost beneath grand historical events.

Performances carry a delicate emotional weight, revealing how two young lives navigate danger, guilt, and fragile hope.

Through its intimate pacing and richly atmospheric detail, the series offers a poignant exploration of connection in a world fractured by war, illuminating the strength that emerges even in darkness.

16. Alias Grace (2017)

Nothing in Alias Grace unfolds predictably, and that unpredictability sharpens every moment of its narrative.

Grace Marks’ story emerges through interviews, memories, and shifting perspectives that blur truth and manipulation.

The restrained period setting amplifies the tension, making each detail feel loaded with meaning.

Psychological unease builds gradually as the series probes class divides, trauma, and the fragile boundary between guilt and innocence.

By weaving mystery with emotional depth, the show creates a haunting portrait of a woman shaped by violence and judgment, leaving viewers questioning how much of her tale is confession—or survival.

17. 1899 (2022)

From its first eerie sequence, 1899 anchors itself in a dense atmosphere of fear and unanswered questions.

Passengers aboard the Kerberos confront strange signals, vanished ships, and unsettling visions that distort their sense of reality.

The period setting enhances the claustrophobic tension, turning every corridor and shadow into a threat.

Multilingual dialogue and diverse cultural perspectives deepen the ensemble’s complexity as secrets slowly surface.

With its cinematic ambition, layered mysteries, and striking visual palette, the series crafts an unnerving journey where past trauma, hidden identities, and creeping dread converge on the open sea.