The recently released Netflix seriesBridgertonhas taken viewers by storm, finding popularity with its period drama genre mixed with soap-opera antics and modern influences, resulting in it becoming the fifth most-watched Netflix original series of all time.Bridgertonisbased on a series of novelsof the same name by Julia Quinn.
RELATED:Things Fans Want From Netflix’s Upcoming Resident Evil Series (& Other Things They Don’t)
With many fans having long since finished binge-watchingBridgerton, they are now looking to see where else they can get their period-drama fix. Fortunately, Netflix has a wealth of other movies and series that are more than willing to fit the bill. Check out these choices just below.
Updated August 11, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:No one expectedBridgertonto become such a wildly successful show, but perhaps this show’s popularity was in the cards from the get-go. An amazing cast, great writing, and dramatic moments have helpedBridgertonbecome an incredibly popular series among fans of historical dramas. As a result, it’s not uncommon for fans to want to see more shows in the same vein. Thankfully, the following titles should be right up their alley, and are available for audiences to watch on Netflix as soon as they’ve wrapped upBridgerton.
14Kingdom
Korean shows have become all the rage, especially since Netflix has given them a massive international platform to broadcast their brilliance. One such show that has gained such popularity isKingdom, a series that takes the political intrigue of a medieval period drama and combines it with the tried-and-true horror of zombies.
The end result isa truly unique show with amazing characters and brilliant stories. The fact that this show has a fresh take on the zombie genre is genuinely surprising, given how frequent and tiresome this trope has become.
13Peaky Blinders
IfBridgerton’s attractive cast seems like the biggest draw of the show, thenPeaky Blinderswill be a great recommendationfor people who think the same. The elements of romance might be more muted, but it’s a small gripe in an otherwise brilliant show.
Peaky Blinderstakes a look at the life of Tommy Shelby and the gang he runs, making for a great experience indeed. Fans of period dramas who wanted to see what Britain was like in times long past should check out this show.
12Downton Abbey
Downton Abbeyis one of the greatest period dramas ever made, and is a perfect watch for fans ofBridgerton. It focuses on the life of the Crawley family and how their lives change as aristocrats during some of the most era-defining moments in history.
The series might have dipped in quality in later seasons, but is still worth a watch, especially for the heights reached by the first season. Fans who want to binge a legendary period drama should look no further thanDownton Abbeyto satiate their needs.
11Vikings
People who want a period drama with a ton of action as opposed to the romance ofBridgertonshould definitely check outVikings. This amazing series features brilliant set design, strong performances, and a gripping plot to boot.
RELATED:Thriller Series To Watch If You Love Netflix’s Archive 81
Given how disappointing the ending ofGame of Throneswas, this show will scratch that itch and then some. It’s an amazing series that fans of gritty period dramas will have a blast watching.
10The Borgias (2011)
Set in Renaissance-era Italy,The Borgiasis a historical-fiction drama that focuses on the lives of the Borgia family, a Spanish-Aragonese noble family who were prominent during the Italian Renaissance. The series had three seasons in total and stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI.
As the Borgia family does its utmost to claim as much wealth and power as possible, the characters fall victim to lust, murder, bribery, and more — leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as events unfold for one of history’s most notorious crime families.
9The Exception
The Exceptionis based on the novelThe Kaiser’s Last Kissby Alan Judd. The film features the historical figure Kaiser Wilhelm II during his exile, but while the story uses this as a basis, the events are largely fictionalized to create a new romantic drama set inWorld War II.
Wehrmacht Captain Stefan Brandt is assigned to be the bodyguard of Kaiser Wilhelm II and is tasked with discovering whether a spy has infiltrated the estate to assassinate the deposed emperor. However, Brandt falls for one of the maids in the house by the name of Mieke de Jong and begins a love affair. When Brandt learns that Mieke is the spy within the house, his loyalties between his former emperor and the woman he loves are tested.
8Versailles
Versaillesis a French historical fiction set during the construction of the Palace of Versailles. The series had three seasons in total, with there being a four-year gap in the setting between the first and second seasons.
RELATED:The Best TV Dramas Of The 21st Century (So Far), Ranked
A young King Louis XIV decides to uproot his court from near Paris and move to Versailles to regain control of his nobles and decides to build upon his father’s old hunting lodge and turn it into a sumptuous, golden palace. With a young cast and a decadent setting, this show delivers on drama, political intrigue, scandals, and plenty of love affairs.
7Alias Grace
Like many great period drama series and films,Alias Graceisan adaptation of a book. The mini-series is based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood and has six episodes in total. Interestingly, the book was based on a real-life event — the murder of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery that happened in 1843.
Two servants were charged for the murder, Grace Marks and James McDermott, and the series follows Grace’s story. Physichatrist Simon Jordan must decide whether Grace should be pardoned due to reasons of insanity, yet he begins to develop personal feelings for the convicted murderer.
6Reign
Reignis a four-season series that is based on the life ofMary, Queen of Scots. Like many historical dramas, this series has been heavily fictionalized to ramp up the drama and action for audiences, making the narrative of Mary’s rise to power much more sexualized and filled with action and intrigue.
The series begins with Mary living in a convent before she is whisked away to marry her cousin Prince Francis II, which ultimately sets her on her path to enter the dangerous world of politics and passion.
5A Little Chaos
A Little Chaosis a period drama that wasdirected by and starred the late Alan Rickman, as well as featuring other big-name actors such as Kate Winslet and Stanley Tucci. Set in 17th century France, the film follows the construction of a garden at Versailles for King Louis XIV.
A commoner by the name of Sabine is commissioned to design the garden and to work alongside the landscape architect André Le Nôtre. Sabine finds herself becoming involved in court life and also begins to fall for André even though he is married. Sabine is challenged throughout the film, both in her love life and professional life, ensuring viewers get plenty of drama.
