Loved Bridgerton? 12 Romantic Period Dramas to Stream Next

Loved Bridgerton? 12 Romantic Period Dramas to Stream Next

If you found yourself swooning over the Regency-era romance and lavish ballrooms of Bridgerton, you’re not alone.

Millions of viewers have fallen for the show’s perfect blend of historical elegance, forbidden love, and dramatic tension.

Luckily, the world of period dramas is filled with equally captivating stories that will transport you to different eras while delivering the same heart-fluttering romance you crave.

From Victorian England to 18th-century Scotland, these 12 series offer everything a Bridgerton fan could want and more.

1. Downton Abbey (2010–2015)

Picture a world where upstairs aristocrats sip tea while downstairs servants rush to meet their every need.

This British masterpiece captures both sides of early 1900s life with equal care and attention.

Romance blooms in unexpected places throughout six glorious seasons.

Whether it’s a lady falling for the chauffeur or servants finding love below stairs, the show proves that matters of the heart don’t respect social boundaries.

War, scandal, and changing times threaten the old ways at every turn.

Yet through it all, the Crawley family and their loyal staff navigate heartbreak and happiness with grace, wit, and unforgettable emotional depth that will keep you watching episode after episode.

2. Victoria (2016–2019)

Being crowned queen at eighteen sounds glamorous until you realize the weight of an entire empire rests on your shoulders.

This ITV series reveals the vulnerable young woman behind the crown, struggling with duty while yearning for genuine connection.

Enter Prince Albert, whose courtship with Victoria becomes one of history’s most celebrated love stories.

Their chemistry crackles through every scene as political intrigue swirls around them.

Palace life isn’t all romance and glamour, though.

Victoria faces scheming advisors, family drama, and the constant pressure to produce an heir while maintaining her independence and authority in a male-dominated world.

3. Sanditon (2019–2023)

Jane Austen never finished this novel, but modern creators brought her vision to vibrant life on screen.

Set in a developing seaside resort town, the story follows spirited Charlotte Heywood as she leaves her quiet country life for adventure.

Seaside glamour meets social climbing in this Regency gem.

Charlotte encounters mysterious strangers, ambitious entrepreneurs, and complicated romantic prospects that would make Elizabeth Bennet proud.

The slow-burn romance will test your patience in the best possible way.

Charlotte must navigate her feelings while maintaining her independence, proving that Austen’s themes of love and self-determination remain timeless and utterly captivating.

4. Belgravia (2020)

From the creator of Downton Abbey comes a deliciously scandalous tale of secrets that refuse to stay buried.

One fateful night at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball before Waterloo sets off a chain of events that echoes through decades.

Fast forward twenty-five years to London’s most fashionable district.

Two families find their fates intertwined by hidden connections, forbidden romance, and shocking revelations that threaten to destroy carefully constructed reputations.

Status means everything in 1840s high society, making every secret a potential weapon.

Julian Fellowes weaves class tensions, romantic entanglements, and family loyalty into a limited series that delivers maximum drama without overstaying its welcome.

5. The Empress (2022– )

Fairy tales rarely mention the suffocating reality of palace life.

Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, discovers this harsh truth when her whirlwind romance with Emperor Franz Joseph leads to marriage and confinement within the rigid Habsburg court.

Their passionate love story faces constant interference from his domineering mother and centuries of inflexible tradition.

Sisi’s free spirit clashes spectacularly with imperial expectations, creating tension that crackles through every beautifully shot scene.

This German production brings fresh perspective to a famous historical figure.

Watching Sisi fight to maintain her identity while navigating treacherous court politics makes for compelling, emotionally charged viewing that goes beyond typical royal romance.

6. Brideshead Revisited (1981)

Some stories age like fine wine, becoming richer and more complex with time.

This acclaimed adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s masterpiece remains the gold standard for literary period dramas, exploring forbidden desires and complicated attachments among England’s upper class.

Charles Ryder becomes entangled with the aristocratic Flyte family between the World Wars.

His relationships with charming Sebastian and his sister Julia unfold against the backdrop of their magnificent but troubled estate.

Faith, love, and longing collide in ways that feel achingly real.

The atmospheric cinematography and nuanced performances create an emotional depth that modern productions still struggle to match, making this vintage series absolutely worth discovering.

7. The Pursuit of Love (2021)

Nancy Mitford’s beloved novel gets a vibrant, unconventional adaptation that feels refreshingly modern.

Linda Radlett refuses to settle for the boring life her eccentric aristocratic family expects, chasing passion across Europe with reckless determination.

Her romantic misadventures range from hilarious to heartbreaking.

Each failed relationship teaches Linda something new about herself, though she doesn’t always learn the lessons we expect.

The interwar period comes alive through bold visual choices and a contemporary soundtrack that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.

This stylish BBC miniseries proves that period dramas don’t need to follow traditional formulas to capture the essence of longing and self-discovery.

8. Call the Midwife (2012– )

Not every period drama centers on aristocrats and ballgowns.

This long-running BBC series finds beauty and romance in the working-class neighborhoods of post-war London, following nurses and midwives serving their community with dedication and compassion.

Love stories unfold alongside births, medical emergencies, and social challenges.

The characters face prejudice, poverty, and personal struggles while maintaining their commitment to helping others through life’s most vulnerable moments.

What started as one season has grown into a phenomenon spanning over a decade.

The show’s genuine warmth, historical authenticity, and celebration of everyday heroism create addictive viewing that will have you laughing and crying in equal measure.

9. A Place to Call Home (2013–2018)

Australian period dramas deserve more attention, and this gem proves why.

Set in the 1950s countryside, the series follows Sarah Adams as she returns home after years abroad, bringing secrets that shake up the conservative Bligh family and their small town.

Forbidden love takes center stage when Sarah develops feelings that society refuses to accept.

The show tackles prejudice, class divisions, and family secrets with surprising depth and emotional honesty.

Six seasons allow characters to grow and relationships to evolve naturally.

The richly drawn cast faces challenges that feel timeless despite the historical setting, creating a deeply satisfying viewing experience that rewards patient viewers with genuine payoffs.

10. North & South (2004)

Elizabeth Gaskell’s Victorian masterpiece explores love across social divides with intelligence and passion.

When spirited Margaret Hale moves to industrial northern England, she clashes immediately with stern mill owner John Thornton, sparking one of literature’s greatest slow-burn romances.

Their relationship unfolds against strikes, economic hardship, and the brutal realities of the Industrial Revolution.

Both characters challenge each other’s assumptions about class, morality, and duty.

This BBC adaptation perfectly captures the novel’s emotional intensity.

Richard Armitage’s smoldering performance as Thornton became legendary among period drama fans, while the story’s examination of social inequality remains surprisingly relevant today.

11. Outlander (2014– )

What happens when a World War II nurse accidentally travels back to 1743 Scotland?

Claire Randall finds out when she’s thrust into a dangerous world of Highland clans, political intrigue, and a passionate warrior named Jamie Fraser who changes everything.

This epic romance blends historical drama with fantasy elements in ways that shouldn’t work but create television magic.

The chemistry between Claire and Jamie has spawned countless fan discussions and rewatches.

Multiple seasons span decades and continents, following their relationship through war, separation, and reunion.

The show doesn’t shy from depicting both the beauty and brutality of the past, creating mature storytelling that respects its audience’s intelligence.

12. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)

Before Lady Whistledown chronicled the ton’s scandals, another love story was unfolding behind palace walls.

This prequel reveals how young Charlotte’s arranged marriage to King George III evolved into genuine partnership despite court intrigue and personal challenges.

The limited series format allows for focused storytelling that explores themes Bridgerton only touched upon.

Charlotte’s struggle to find her place and voice within the rigid royal system creates compelling drama.

Emotionally charged performances bring depth to historical figures often reduced to footnotes.

The show maintains Bridgerton’s signature style while standing alone as a powerful examination of duty, love, and the price of power that will satisfy fans and newcomers alike.