51 Period Dramas to Watch Now

In late 19th-century Provence, a Parisian chambermaid moves to a secluded home and begins a series of secret encounters. She becomes captivated by the estate's coach driver.

Set in 19th-century England, the story follows a young woman who, despite her good intentions, repeatedly interferes in the romantic relationships of her friends.

In the 1st century, Mary Magdalene breaks free from an arranged marriage and discovers a new life with Jesus, a charismatic preacher leading a revolutionary movement. She finds both refuge and a sense of purpose within his community.

Teenage Victoria, the sole heir to the English throne, finds herself navigating complex family politics. Her mother pressures her to sign a document granting regency powers, while her Belgian uncle plots a marriage between Victoria and Prince Albert, a union…

*Testament of Youth* is a powerful story of love, war, and memory, adapted from Vera Brittain's influential memoir, a classic account of World War I from a woman's perspective. The film follows a young woman's journey from hopeful beginnings to…

In this gripping World War II thriller, a cautious soldier is sent to investigate a puzzling German leader at his isolated estate. His mission unravels a complex plot and a risky romance with a local Jewish woman.

A Hollywood actor vanishes unexpectedly during a film shoot, prompting the studio to dispatch their troubleshooter to locate him.

This is a lush story of secrets, love, and deceit, unfolding during a pivotal period in European history. Two stunning sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are caught in a rivalry for the affection of King Henry VIII, a man known…

Independent writer Juliet Ashton develops a profound connection with the quirky members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She decides to document the book club they created during the German occupation of Guernsey.

In the North Carolina mountains at the close of the 1920s, newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton start building a timber business. Serena quickly proves her capabilities, managing loggers, hunting, and even rescuing someone in the wilderness. With growing power, the…

Following a difficult childhood, Jane Eyre becomes a governess. She finds contentment at Thornfield Hall, where she encounters Mr. Rochester, the estate's reserved and intense owner. Jane and Mr. Rochester develop a close friendship, and Jane falls in love with…

Following her father's sudden death, Ella is forced into servitude by her stepmother and stepsisters. Despite her difficult circumstances, Ella holds onto hope, and her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a charming stranger in the forest.

Dido Elizabeth Bell, born out of wedlock to a Royal Navy admiral and of mixed race, becomes a key figure in the movement to end slavery in England.

In Stalinist-era Soviet Russia, a former MGB agent, now in disgrace, is assigned to investigate a string of child murders. The investigation gradually reveals links to the highest levels of the Communist Party.

A struggling merchant, ruined and heartbroken, stumbles upon the eerie castle of a monstrous being. He finds himself trapped there, facing a terrible bargain. After taking a rose from the creature's garden, he must offer his own daughter, Belle, as…

In 1962 England, a young couple's perfect love story is challenged by changing ideas about sex and the expectations of society, culminating in a tense and pivotal wedding night.

In the final years of the Ottoman Empire, a love triangle forms between Mikael, a gifted medical student; Ana, a striking and cultured artist; and Chris, a celebrated American journalist working in Paris.

A young woman's fascination with dramatic Gothic stories causes confusion and misinterpretations in her romantic relationships.

A young Englishman seeks revenge on his captivating cousin, whom he suspects of killing his guardian. However, his desire for vengeance is complicated as he becomes increasingly drawn to her alluring personality.

Teenager Enola Holmes searches for her missing mother, using her sharp detective skills to outwit her famous brother Sherlock and assist a lord who has run away.

In 1561, Mary Stuart, the widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland and becomes its queen. This threatens Queen Elizabeth I of England, who also has a claim to the English throne. Both queens face betrayals, rebellions, and…

In Depression-era Oklahoma, as dust storms ravage the landscape and families struggle, Eugene Evans faces losing his family farm. When a fugitive bank robber, Allison Wells, takes refuge in his town, Eugene is conflicted. He must decide whether to collect…

Following a family tragedy, a young writer struggles between her feelings for a longtime friend and the allure of a captivating stranger. Seeking refuge from her painful history, she finds herself drawn to a house with a strange, living presence…

France, 1940. As the Nazis occupy the country, Lucile Angellier finds herself confined by her controlling mother-in-law while anxiously awaiting news of her husband, a prisoner of war. When Parisian refugees arrive in their town, followed by German soldiers taking…

In pre-World War II northern Australia, an English aristocrat inherits a vast ranch and must team up with a local stockman to defend it from a planned seizure. Together, they drive 2,000 cattle across harsh terrain when they are caught…

Verena, a nurse, travels to an Italian estate to care for a young boy who has stopped speaking after his mother's unexpected death.

Bitter Harvest, based on true events between the World Wars, tells the story of the Holodomor, the famine engineered by Joseph Stalin. The film depicts a powerful story of love, honor, rebellion, and survival as Ukraine struggles against the expanding…

Oregon, 1870. Henry, haunted by a tragic past and hoping to find solace in preaching, accepts a job from eccentric pioneer Samuel Alabaster. Henry is to officiate Samuel's wedding to the lovely Penelope. Unbeknownst to Henry, both he and Samuel…

During a hot summer in post-war Warwickshire, a doctor is summoned to Hundreds Hall, a remote house with a long history belonging to the Ayres family. The Georgian mansion, which has been their home for over two centuries, is falling…

In 1930s Hollywood, a young man arrives with dreams of a career in film. He falls in love and becomes immersed in the lively café culture that shaped the era.

This is the story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, who risked their lives to protect hundreds of people and animals when the Nazis invaded.

During the 1910s, journalist Arvid Stjärnblom and painter's daughter Lydia Stille develop a romantic relationship.

In the harsh, unforgiving Old West, Liz is a resilient woman relentlessly pursued by a vengeful preacher who believes she is guilty of a crime she did not commit.

A young queen develops feelings for her royal physician, and together they ignite a revolution that fundamentally alters their country.

Based on the bestselling novel by Madeleine St John, Ladies in Black is a charming comedy-drama that follows the lives of several women working at a Sydney department store in 1959.

This true story is a gripping western about a determined New York widow who travels west to meet Sioux chief Sitting Bull. She finds herself in opposition to an army officer determined to wage war against Native Americans.

This 18th-century drama tells the scandalous story of Lady Seymour Worsley, who defied societal expectations by leaving her husband to run away with his close friend, Captain George Bisset. Seeking freedom from a difficult marriage, Lady Seymour finds herself embroiled…

In 1942, a British intelligence officer in North Africa meets a woman working with the French Resistance on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. They are reunited in London, where the demands of wartime put their connection to the test.

England, early 1700s. Queen Anne's close bond with Sarah Churchill is challenged by the arrival of Abigail Hill, Sarah's cousin. This sparks a sharp rivalry between the two women as they both compete for the Queen's favor.

Following World War II, a British colonel and his wife are stationed in Hamburg during its rebuilding. Their assignment brings them into close proximity with a German widower who shares their living space, leading to growing friction between the households.

Following the events of Hope and Glory (1987), Bill Rohan has matured and is conscripted into the army. There, he and his unconventional best friend, Percy, challenge their condescending officers while also seeking romance in the nearby town.

The story centers on the complex relationships of the 19th-century writer Friedrich Schiller, caught between two sisters. One sister is his wife, while the other is tasked with writing his biography. This creates a tangled love triangle between them.

A legendary diva, Irina, finds herself caught in a love triangle with her lover, Boris, and a young, promising actress named Nina, all set against the backdrop of a beautiful lakeside estate.

Set in 19th-century France, the story follows Emma Bovary, a beautiful woman married to a doctor in a small town. She seeks to improve her social standing through affairs outside of her marriage.

In Victorian England, the strong-willed Bathsheba Everdene finds herself pursued by three very different men: Gabriel Oak, a diligent young sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a charming but impulsive Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a wealthy and established bachelor.

This is the story of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, an 18th-century aristocrat who faced public scorn for her lavish lifestyle and involvement in politics.

In 1857, renowned novelist and social critic Charles Dickens develops a deep affection for teenage stage actress Nelly Ternan. She becomes his primary inspiration, but their relationship demands a life of hiddenness and sacrifice for both of them.

In Fermanagh, Ireland, during a summer night in 1890, a restless young woman from a wealthy Anglo-Irish family persuades her father's servant to take advantage of her.

The relationship between poet Percy Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin inspired the writing of the enduring novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus."

This is a story of love and life within the English aristocracy during the Georgian period. Mr. Bennet, a gentleman in Hertfordshire, lives with his domineering wife and five daughters. However, if he were to die, their home would pass…

Anne Elliot lives with her wealthy but snobbish family as they face financial ruin. Anne is a woman with forward-thinking ideas. Her life changes when Frederick Wentworth, a man she previously rejected, returns. Anne must decide whether to remain focused…