“Astonishing”: 10 “absolute treat” hidden-gem period dramas to see on BBC, ITV, Netflix and more

When the news is overwhelming and life feels bleak, sometimes the perfect escape is to lose yourself in another time – a simpler era before social media, when ‘AI’ meant something completely different, like old-fashioned ink pens.

We’ve decided to focus on period dramas specifically set between the 1700s and the early 1900s. This means we won’t be including shows set in the 1950s or later, even recent shows set in the 2000s – while technically ‘period’ pieces, they don’t fit our focus for this list.

Read on for the best historical dramas that might have slipped past you first time round…

1. Miss Austen (BBC iPlayer)

Keeley Hawes consistently delivers strong performances, and this series is no exception. She stars as Cassandra Austen, the sister of celebrated author Jane Austen.

Inspired by Gill Hornby’s popular novel, this story centers around the long-held question of why Cassandra Austen destroyed letters from her sister, Jane. This mystery forms the basis of a vibrant, yet deeply moving, story about the bond between two sisters.

2. The Pursuit of Love (Prime Video)

Starring Lily James, this film is a charming romantic story directed by Emily Mortimer. It explores themes of love, friendship, and the pressures of society in Europe during the years between World War I and World War II.

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Linda Radlett and Fanny Logan, cousins and best friends, search for love and suitable husbands. The novel subtly mocks this pursuit, a tone better captured by the title of the follow-up book, Love in a Cold Climate.

3. War and Peace (BBC iPlayer)

This beautifully made series, based on Tolstoy’s classic novel, takes place in Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. It follows the lives of four young aristocrats – the proud Andrei Bolkonsky, the thoughtful but troubled Pierre Bezukhov, the lively Natasha Rostova, and her naive brother Nikolai – as they navigate the challenges of wealth, loss, and historical upheaval.

The film features a fantastic supporting cast, including Greta Scacchi, Tom Burke, Jessie Buckley, Callum Turner, and Gillian Anderson.

4. Sanditon (ITVX)

This series follows Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) as she leaves her quiet country life to experience the vibrant seaside town of Sanditon, based on Jane Austen’s incomplete novel.

Throughout the series, Charlotte encounters a memorable cast of characters. These include Tom Parker (Kris Marshall), a determined man with plans to turn Sanditon into a popular seaside destination, and the intriguing Sidney Parker (Theo James), with whom she develops a complicated connection.

5. The Buccaneers (Apple TV)

Okay, so I just finished watching The Buccaneers and I’m obsessed! If you’re like me and adore stories centered around strong women, especially if you loved Bridgerton but want something a little different, you have to check this out. It’s set way back in the 1870s and follows a bunch of super-rich American girls who go to England hoping to snag some noble husbands and, honestly, cause a little bit of a stir. Get ready for gorgeous costumes, funny misunderstandings, and lots of romantic drama!

6. Cranford (Channel 4)

Though it seems like a gentle story about life in a peaceful 1840s village, Cranford is actually a much deeper look at a world on the brink of huge change. The arrival of the railway—and the industrial revolution it represented—was about to dramatically alter a countryside that had remained largely the same for hundreds of years.

Imelda Staunton, Judi Dench, and especially Eileen Atkins, deliver powerful performances in a story that weaves together love, hidden family truths, and conflicts between neighbors. It even includes a very funny moment with a cat getting sick in a shoe!

7. Death Comes to Pemberley (Channel 4)

Anna Maxwell Martin and Matthew Rhys are arguably the best Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy we’ve ever seen, and that’s high praise!

Six years after the events of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are happily settled in Derbyshire. Now more mature and insightful, their peaceful life is disrupted when Lydia, her husband Mr. Wickham, unexpectedly arrive for a visit. Trouble brews when Wickham becomes the main suspect in a murder that takes place on the estate grounds.

P.D. James’s mystery novel brilliantly reimagines the social issues found in Jane Austen’s work. Instead of feeling out of place within the historical setting, the crime element actually heightens those existing tensions and makes them more impactful.

Matthew Goode and Jenna Coleman bring depth and even sympathy to the characters of Wickham and Lydia, transforming them from simple plot points in Austen’s story. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Darcy, portrayed as parents, remain as clever and playfully argumentative as Austen originally intended.

8. The Great (Channel 4)

Don’t expect a serious, straightforward biography with The Great. The show, subtitled ‘An Occasionally True Story,’ is actually a lively and funny satire that playfully explores the moral failings that often come with unlimited power.

Elle Fanning plays a determined young woman in an Eastern European circus who is forced into marriage with a spoiled and unpredictable man (Nicholas Hoult). She must then find her own way to rise to power and become a dominant figure.

9. Wolf Hall (BBC iPlayer)

Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall focuses more on political maneuvering than love stories—though Henry VIII’s pursuit of Anne Boleyn could be seen as a romance, if you squint. Mark Rylance delivers a captivating performance as Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith who became Henry VIII’s most important advisor and a powerful figure during the Tudor period.

Set against the backdrop of the 16th century, with its chilly sunlight and flickering candles, this story is filled with rich fabrics, outdated hairstyles, and decorative pins. However, beneath the surface lies a constant threat of unexpected and brutal violence – anyone could be in danger at any moment.

10. The Leopard (Netflix)

I just finished watching Netflix’s new series, and it completely transported me to Sicily! It’s based on a classic novel about what life was like there during a really important time in Italian history – the 1860s, when Italy was becoming one country. It’s beautifully done and really pulls you in.

Kim Rossi Stuart stars as Don Fabrizzio in this story set during a time of revolution. With the Bourbon monarchy overthrown, the aristocrat struggles to cope with both family members who support the rebellion and a new reality ruled by the revolutionary forces who have seized power.

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2026-03-19 11:20