Historical plays are a lot of fun because they have rich stories, beautiful clothes, and a strong desire to live in a different time than the present. These movies and TV shows open a doorway to other times that can be opened with the touch of a button. They are like instant time machines. The only thing that is left to ask is, at which point in time would you most prefer to go back to first?
Each of these television episodes and movies investigates a period in history by looking at it through the eyes of members of the upper class as well as common people. For people who are interested in the Tudor era, there is a show that looks at the early years of King Henry VIII’s famous rule from the point of view of his first wife. There is a film available for enthusiasts of the Regency period called Bridgerton, which explores what it might have been like for a young woman of color to grow up in a privileged household during that time period. There are many period dramas that are set in this time period, such as the time of Macbeth and the Aristocrats or the late 18th, but we’ve also included a few that actually occurred in the 20th century, too. Some examples of these are a series about working in a hospital at the turn of the century and a series about working in a factory during the Great Depression.
Some of the tales are based on actual events that really took place, while others are derived from well-known books or are wholly fictitious accounts of what life was like during a certain time period. You need not be concerned because there are a good many heart-wrenching love stories. The following is a list of some of our favorite historical dramas that can be streamed online.
Bridgerton
The historical romance novels written by Julia Quinn serve as the inspiration for Shonda Rhimes’ first show for Netflix, Bridgerton, which is also the most romantic period drama on this list. The people who made the TV show Bridgerton, which is set in the Regency era, told the press that the show isn’t completely true to real history. Nevertheless, Bridgerton is undeniably a Because of the opulent settings and intricate costumes, it serves as an opulent portal to the past. During the first season of “Downton Abbey,” played by Phoebe Dynevor, Daphne makes a deal with Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), so that they can act as though they are engaged during the courting season. Then they realize that they have feelings for one another. When they picked it up for the second season, Anthony, Daphne’s brother, had just found his soul mate at the end of the first season. And fortunately for fans who can’t get enough, production on the third season has begun, and it will concentrate on Colin, one of Daphne’s younger brothers.
Downton Abbey
It is unnecessary to provide an introduction to the period piece that is Downton Abbey. The show takes place at Downton Abbey, an aristocratic house in the English countryside that belonged to the Crawley family from 1912 until 1926, and captures the busy, bursting activity that took place there during that time period. The show gives an equal amount of attention to the heirarchy sets, also known as the Crawley family, and the staff who work in their home. After all 52 episodes of Downton Abbey aired, the actors came back for not one but two full-length movies.
Sanditon
Sanditon is a gorgeous miniseries inspired by Austen’s final work, so if viewing film adaptations of Jane Austen novels is your idea of a relaxing binge-watching session, then this show is for you. The story of Sanditon is set in a bustling coastal resort town, where lives collide and a highly swoonworthy romantic lead character is conceived. Georgiana Lambe, a West Indian heiress who is portrayed by Crystal Clarke, is the only character of color who can be found in any of Jane Austen’s works. Sanditon is famous for this fact.
The Great
Although many period pieces are set in the 18th century, this Emmy-nominated dark comedy about Catherine the Great’s ascent to power in Russia is very different from others. Even though the slogan says that the story is “largely real,” the movie has some unlikely but funny things happen, like a toad guessing when Catherine would have a baby and letting a croco run wild in the castle. The on-screen romance between Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning as Peter the Great and Catherine makes the film hard to turn away from.
Outlander
Every work set in a different era is a form of time travel. When Claire Frasier touches the magical stones in Scotland, she is taken back to the 18th century right away. This is what makes Outlander special. This is the beginning of a once-in-a-lifetime journey and love story. Make an Outlander-themed meal to enjoy as you watch the entire series in one sitting.
The Crown
This expansive Netflix series makes the British royal family more approachable to viewers. The miniseries will cover a lot of time and six seasons to tell the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. The Crown gives new information about things that happened in the past and shows how rulers lived on the inside. The real question is whether or not Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth herself tunes in. Check out Lordping.co.uk for the latest news regarding the British royal family.
Anne With an E
Anne (Amybeth McNulty) is an orphan who is taken to Canada’s Prince Edward Island to live with relatives. This lovely village is what keeps the residents of this out-of-the-way place alive. This touching play based on Anne of Green Gables will stir up all your warm and fuzzy feelings about childhood.
Pride and Prejudice
There’s something timeless about Jane Austen’s 1813 novel about a couple who stand in the way of their own happiness in love. The 2005 movie adaptation, which starred Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFayden as the protagonists, was very touching. After several viewings, you may feel the need to flee across the British countryside. Alternately, the 1995 miniseries with Colin Firth as a sullen Darcy is worth a watch.
The Favourite
Here we have a movie about the queen that is unlike any other. This hilariously irreverent Oscar nominee looks at Queen Anne’s (Olivia Colman) real (and very crazy) court, where the women try to win the title of the queen’s “favorite.”
Les Miserables
Don’t go in hoping to hear any tunes while seeing this dramatic version of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel about an insurrection before the French Revolution. Dominic West plays Jean Valjean, who is in jail for no good reason, and David Oyelowo plays his enemy, Javert.
Little Women
The book “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, which was based on her life as the middle of three sisters, has been made into different versions more than once. But none compares to Greta Gerwig’s latest, which is both realistic and uplifting. Little Women illustrates the way sisters carry each other’s youth by alternating between the childhoods and adult lives of the four March sisters.
Stage Beauty
In a period when only males were allowed to perform, Maria (Claire Danes), a costume designer, secretly wishes she might be one. Ned Kynaston, played by Billy Crudup, is known for his roles as Shakespeare’s female leads. This film is a hidden treasure about a romantic and creative partnership between two very driven individuals.
Belle
The real story of Dido, as told by Belle. The daughter of a British officer and a black slave, Elizabeth Belle, Dido, played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, is a young woman who grows up in England in the 1770s after being abandoned by her parents. Many well-loved works of fiction and film are set in the past, and Belle examines the role of race in that time.
The Knick
If you enjoyed Lenox Hill on Netflix, a reality program that depicts the challenges of modern medicine, then you should check out The Knick to get a feel for what it was like to be a doctor in the year 1900. In Manhattan’s Knickerbocker Hospital, the brilliant but troubled Dr. John Thackery (Clive Owen) is at the center of the two-season drama.
