Summary
- Masterpiece series capture detailed historical events with lush sets and costumes, focusing on characters and relationships.
- Sanditon’s unique romantic drama explores a seaside town’s secrets with a modern twist on a Jane Austen classic.
- Call The Midwife and Downton Abbey offer uplifting narratives and diverse characters amidst period-specific struggles.
For fans of period drama TV shows, PBS’s Masterpiece series is the perfect place to start for lush, romantic, and thrilling additions to the genre. Often focusing on large political and historical events, Masterpiece’s TV series provide the utmost care and attention to detail when it comes to fully embodying the period. This comes through in the costumes and sets, which are a large part of what draws audiences to the period genre. However, the characters and their relationships are what make viewers stay and continue watching the show for years to come.
Some draw inspiration from classic works of literature, while others are conceived based on imagined historical fiction.
Though it’s not a requirement, it’s common for romance and love stories to be large parts of the plot in these series. Many of the best period romance TV shows ever made were a product of PBS and the Masterpiece programming. Some draw inspiration from classic works of literature, while others are conceived based on imagined historical fiction. Most Masterpiece series are rooted in reality and shy away from incorporating fantastical elements. Masterpiece frequently collaborates with other networks like the BBC to bring the best of international television to homes across the world.
10
Sanditon (2019–2023)
The series is an experimental work based on one of Jane Austen’s unfinished novels.
As the protagonist of all of Sanditon‘s three seasons, Charlotte faces her share of ups and downs and is unlucky in love more often than not throughout the series.
Charlotte and Alexander are one of the best couples in period romance TV shows. Though their romance isn’t chronicled in Austen’s manuscript of Sanditon, the writers pushed the series forward based on the characters she outlined. As the protagonist of all of Sanditon‘s three seasons, Charlotte faces her share of ups and downs and is unlucky in love more often than not throughout the series. However, this doesn’t make her journey to happiness any less engaging, as the other residents of Sanditon keep her busy.
Sanditon was a surprising addition to the Masterpiece family, as the series isn’t afraid to show intimacy and sexuality more explicitly than some of the other, more chaste, shows. With a stellar ensemble cast and a stirring romance that would melt any viewer’s heart, Sanditon isn’t a typical Austen story, but it fully commits to its unique tone and style. As time has passed, Masterpiece has been more willing to take chances with contemporary takes on traditional narratives.
9
Hotel Portofino (2022–Present)
Fascism and the style of the 1920s add to the atmosphere of Hotel Portofino.
Hotel Portofino takes place in the gorgeous resort town of Portofino, Italy, and it takes advantage of the incredible setting in every episode. The series takes place in the 1920s and sees its protagonists, the English Ainsworth family, run their own hotel and balance the everyday tasks and costs with the larger political issues of the time. However, though the series doesn’t ignore the contemporary issues of its time period, it’s more concerned with the romantic entanglements of its characters.
Starring Natascha McElhone as Bella Ainsworth, the owner of the hotel, the series grapples with what it’s like to be a woman who owns a successful business and has to deal with the men of the world who want something from her. Though the series can lean into soap opera territory at times, this doesn’t change the fact that the characters are enjoyable, and the fashion and music of the 1920s are irresistible. For viewers who enjoyed The White Lotus season 2, Hotel Portofino is a relaxing follow-up.
8
The Paradise (2012–2013)
A thriving department store serves as the setting for this romantic show.
What brings Denise and John together more than anything is their love for the store and the joy they share in coming up with innovative ideas to get customers through the door.
The power dynamic between Denise and John, or Mr. Moray, as Denise must call him during their time working together, is a fraught employee-boss relationship. Of course, Denise quickly proves herself to be much more than a shop-girl in The Paradise, a series that focuses on the ins and outs of an early department store in Victorian-era England. Economics and business acumen are just as important as the growing relationship between Denise and John, even though circumstance and propriety threaten to keep them apart.
What brings Denise and John together more than anything is their love for the store and the joy they share in coming up with innovative ideas to get customers through the door. Though it only ran for two seasons, The Paradise made its mark on the Masterpiece canon, as it dealt with an interesting transitory period in history when the world was beginning to modernize. Additionally, Denise is a likable and compelling protagonist the audience can easily relate to. Like many Masterpiece shows, it was co-produced with the BBC.
7
Wolf Hall (2015)
King Henry VIII’s notorious reign is made even more scandalous by Wolf Hall.
Based on Hilary Mantel’s books about Henry VIII’s infamous womanizing and violence, Wolf Hall is a very period-accurate series that focuses on the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, a real historical figure. Cromwell begins as an associate of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who was involved in Henry’s break with the Catholic Church and the formation of the Church of England. Capitalizing on this momentum and Henry’s need for a trusted advisor, Cromwell throws himself into the deep end of life in the English court.
TV series like The Tudors aren’t known for being historically accurate, but Wolf Hall feels rooted in reality even when it takes liberties with the exact events of Henry’s first divorce. The show features a young Claire Foy as the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, which foreshadowed her later portrayal of a much more successful English queen. However, the real stars of the series are Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis as Cromwell and Henry VIII, as their chemistry and battle of wits is endlessly compelling.
6
Victoria (2016–2019)
Victoria’s early reign and love story with Prince Albert are beautifully captured.
Victoria was never hailed for its accuracy, especially in the case of the characterizations of real people who were part of Victoria’s court.
Jenna Coleman stars as a young Queen Victoria in Masterpiece’s Victoria, which paints the monarch’s rise to power and most of her relationship with her husband, Prince Albert. Tom Hughes joins Coleman as the quiet Prince Albert, who consistently struggles to find his place in court. Praised for its gorgeous costumes and set pieces, Victoria makes the most of its era and holds true to the Queen’s reputation as an influential icon in both the social and political spheres.
Victoria was never hailed for its accuracy, especially in the case of the characterizations of real people who were part of Victoria’s court. However, these changes were made for emotional and dramatic realism rather than an educational or documentary perspective. First and foremost, Victoria’s life and personal feelings are the narrative thrusts of the series, with the cultural and political changes of the period serving as secondary points. This allows the viewer to relate and empathize with Victoria instead of feeling like she’s an untouchable part of the royal family.
5
Bleak House (2005)
This adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel features an outstanding cast.
If it wasn’t enough that Bleak House adapts an iconic work by Charles Dickens, the series features one of the best ensembles in TV history. Gillian Anderson, Carey Mulligan, and many more skilled actors round out the cast and are part of the reason that Bleak House was nominated for so many accolades and praised by critics across the board. Bleak House might take place hundreds of years ago, but the drama is on par with Dickens’s best work, which appeals to the masses in the best way.
The visual style is also a large part of why Bleak House remains such a hallmark of television, as the composition and cinematography are just as beautiful as the costumes and production design. Part of the conflict of Bleak House revolves around a court case, bringing an early example of the legal drama genre into the sphere. Though it’s a miniseries, every episode of Bleak House will have viewers on the edge of their seats, and the end culminates in many character fates that are impossible to predict.
4
Poldark (2015-2019)
The 2015 Poldark is a thrilling remake of the Masterpiece original from the 1970s.
Part of the fun of watching Poldark is that some of the plot lines are slightly outlandish, but the series proves that a period piece can be just as entertaining as any modern fare.
The best Revolutionary War movies typically tell the story from the side of the Patriots, but Poldark begins with an English soldier returning home to find his world turned upside down. In 1975, Masterpiece aired the first version of Poldark, which got a warm enough reception that many years later, the network decided to revive it. This time, Poldark was even more dramatic, romantic, and compelling as the audience watched Captain Ross fall in love with Demelza.
The marriage of Ross and Demelza and the end of the Revolutionary War are only the beginning for Poldark, as much more upheaval darkens the doorstep of the characters and their families. As sweeping and aspirational as any great romance, Poldark isn’t afraid to lean into the melodrama of its story, but it never fails to take the narrative and characters seriously. Part of the fun of watching Poldark is that some of the plot lines are slightly outlandish, but the series proves that a period piece can be just as entertaining as any modern fare.
3
Call The Midwife (2012–Present)
This feel-good show is one of the longest-running programs that airs on Masterpiece.
The cast of Call The Midwife has changed many times over in the thirteen seasons it’s been airing on Masterpiece and the BBC. Set in the 1950s, Call The Midwife deals with the women who work in an impoverished sector of London trying to deliver babies and provide healthcare to women who often haven’t been afforded it their entire lives. Call The Midwife has been praised for its feminist themes as well as its inclusion of a diverse range of characters and storylines. The series takes into account the wide array of people living in London during this time.
The most recent season has seen the characters enter the late 1960s and encompasses the many changes that are occurring in the country and internationally. Advancements in medicine, science, and technology have all impacted how midwives engage with their jobs and their patients. Call The Midwife has been praised by audiences and critics alike for its realism about the difficult parts of poverty and healthcare while incorporating plenty of uplifting plots and subtle romantic themes.
2
Downton Abbey (2010–2015)
Downton is one of the most successful Masterpiece series of all time.
While the setting is fictional, as is the family, plenty of real events shape the plot and stakes of Downton Abbey, especially the wars.
Though Downton Abbey deals with a class of people that few can claim to be a part of, the iconic series managed to be relatable and accessible to viewers of all kinds throughout its run. The series takes place just before the First World War and sees its aristocratic family navigate the changing times as the problems with the strict social hierarchy and political tensions continuously rise. While the setting is fictional, as is the family, plenty of real events shape the plot and stakes of Downton Abbey, especially the wars.
The Crawley sisters and their love lives take center stage in Downton Abbey, and plenty of tragedy wracks the family throughout the series’ five seasons. However, Downton Abbey never leaves its audience heartbroken for long and always provides a glimmer of hope by the end of each season. Boasting amazing actors like Dame Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery, whose role as Lady Mary is one of the most pivotal in the show. Betrayals, deaths, and schemes get in the way of the characters’ happiness, but they find a way out in the end.
1
Pride And Prejudice (1995)
This early adaptation of the beloved novel is the definitive version.
There have been many Pride and Prejudice movie and TV adaptations, but the 1995 BBC and Masterpiece drama might be the very best. The series is able to incorporate every facet of the novel thanks to its length and breadth, and the viewer feels completely transported to the period while watching the show. Praised and adored by critics and audiences, the 1995 Pride and Prejudice has everything an Austen fan or any enjoyed of period pieces would want, and its methodical pacing is a refreshing change from the fact-paced series of today.
While some long-time Pride and Prejudice fans might prefer the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, this version is more cinematic but leaves a lot out of the story. Additionally, Jennifer Ehle’s Elizabeth Bennet has just the right amount of wit and wisdom while still capturing Elizabeth’s naïveté when it comes to Darcy. Colin Firth is her perfect match as Mr. Darcy, as he’s aloof when he needs to be but opens up to Elizabeth as he falls hopelessly in love.
