Who doesn’t love a good olden time, golden age romance? With the rise of shows likeBridgerton,The Crown,and others, audiences are becoming more and more obsessed with the glitz and glamour (as well as the dirty and rotten) ways of the past. Combine that with the common tropes of true love and possible lust, and you’ve got perfect TV for everyone.
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There are many movies that have that perfect combination, but there are few series that aren’t outdated or able to stream available. SinceBridgertonseason 2 has come to an end, fans are left to search for more to quench their thirst for more!
Outlanderis a drama series produced byStarzbased on the ongoing novel series byDiane Gabaldon.Outlanderfollows Clare Randall, a wife, and former World War II army nurse from Scotland who is transported back in time to 1743. She encounters a band of Highlanders who are fleeing from British redcoats and marries Jamie Fraser out of pure necessity. However, as these stories tend to go, she finds herself falling in love with the Highlander.
Without spoilers, fans who are looking for a historically-accurate romance that showcases the colonial era in both Europe and the 13 Colonies are the perfect fit forOutlander. Not to mention the furthering of the storyline as Clare and Jamie travel, escape battles, and even struggle through the American Revolutionary War.Outlanderhas 5 Seasons, the most recent premiering in 2020. It is available to stream onNetflix(Seasons 1-4) and Starz (all seasons).
AppleTV+’s 3-season phenomenonDickinsonfollows the renowned poetEmily Dickinsonin this fictionalized rendition of her life story.Hailee Steinfeldplays the titular role as she navigates the social constraints of the 1800s as an aspiring writer.Dickinsonis said to have a very coming-of-age feel to it, in addition to the romance among characters, and even featuresLGBTQ+representation in the main characters as the show reclaims Emily Dickinson’s status as an LGBTQ+ icon.
This show is perfect for viewers who enjoy a comedic period piece with a very modern edge to the dialogue and many characters.Dickinsonhas 3 Seasonsand is available to stream on AppleTV+.
Downton Abbey
Downton Abbeyis one of the most popular historical drama franchises available to stream, having many seasons and even its own film. In this ITV/PBS show, viewers watch the Crawley family in the Yorkshire estate in Northern England, Downton Abbey. The series follows the aristocratic family and their servants as they navigate the changing world.
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Downton Abbeydoes not shy away from historical accuracy as the show covers the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, the Spanish Flu, the Irish War of Independence, and many more and their effects on the British Social Hierarchy ever so present in the series.The 6 seasons ofDownton Abbeyare available to stream onAmazon Prime.
Hulu’sThe Greatis comedy-drama series about Russia’s famous monarch,Catherine the Great.The series is very loosely based on historical events but is mostly fiction surrounding actual people. The plot follows Catherine the Great from her humble beginnings outside the court to becoming the female ruler of the country. In terms of romance,The Greathas an enemies-to-lovers plotline where Catherine attempts to plot her husband’s death in the first season.
This show is perfect for fans of a historical plotline that ismore comedic and looseinstead of concretely factual. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Hulu.
The Gilded Age
HBO’snew historical drama seriesThe Gilded Agefollows two families, the Russells and the old-money-wealthy van Rhijn-Brooks, as time progresses and the status quo changes. The series is set in New York in 1882 and follows a multitude of characters from the upper-class, middle-class workers, the elite black community, and even some servant class as well. Featuring manyBroadwayactors well-known in their community,The Gilded Agequickly became very popular.
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This show is perfect for fans looking for a historical romance that follows many character arcs with a unique and revealing HBO flair.The Gilded Ageis streaming on HBO andHBOMax.
Reignis a historical romance series released onThe CWthat ran from 2013 to 2017. The series follows the French monarchMary, Queen of Scots,and her rise to power in the French court. Mary must deal with the changing politics, arranged marriages, and the other powerful people that influence her life (including the infamousCatherine de’MediciandNostradamus). Mary finds love and lust with royal marriages and secret love affairs, and other medieval monarchs make appearances as their ambitions grow stronger.
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This series is perfect for those wanting a soapy, historically accurate, and traditional romance show.Reignis now available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
A Place to Call Home
The Australian seriesA Place to Call Homefollows Sarah Adams as she returns home to Australia from Paris to start a new life after World War II (and the presumed death of her husband). Upon arrival, she begins to work for a hospital near the rich Bligh family, and the Matriarch and her tend to fight. When Sarah learns her husband is still alive following the atrocities of World War II, she begins to spiral as more and more is revealed. In terms of romance, the series has many entanglements and complicated (even sometimes secret) relationships and features some LGBTQ+ representation as well.
The series is great for those seeking something new to try. Being set in a more modern era than the other shows listed,A Place to Call Homepresents a unique viewpoint and storyline.A Place to Call Home’s 6 seasons are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Bridgerton
Dearest readers, who can forget about the hit Netflix show?Bridgertonis one of Netflix’s most popular shows to date, with steamy and intriguing romance around every corner. Based on the novels byJulia Quinnand created byShonda Rhimes,Bridgertonfollows the powerful siblings of the Bridgerton family as they find love during the regency era of England.Bridgertonhas a unique aesthetic, including people of all races in this historically-inspired series set with the backdrop of London’s high society.With the release of Season 2,Bridgertonhas once again taken over Netflix’s streaming site and the entertainment news buzz.
This show is perfect for those wanting something spicy, sensual, and ridiculously exciting with the elegant flair of the regency era.Bridgerton’s 2 seasons are available to stream on Netflix. Both a spin-off and additional seasons have been announced!
