“Wild, brilliant, emotional”: 10 best dynasty drama series to watch on BBC, ITV, Netflix and more

What defines a dynastic drama? We’re not referring to shows like the original Dynasty here. These stories are different from quick social media videos – instead of instant satisfaction, they focus on complex, long-term storylines and family histories.

These stories are massive in scope, with lots of different plotlines and characters. It can take a long time for everything to come together, but when it does, the emotional impact is incredibly powerful.

If you’re looking for shows that really grab you and stick with you – the kind you can really sink your teeth into and feel rewarded by – then these are definitely worth checking out! I’m always on the hunt for something substantial, and these seem perfect.

1. The Crown (Netflix)

Peter Morgan’s lavish series about Queen Elizabeth II’s life and time on the throne cost Netflix an estimated £100 million, making it one of the most expensive TV shows ever produced. Because of its quality and detail, it’s best enjoyed slowly, like a fine wine – savor each episode rather than rushing through them. You’ll appreciate it much more that way.

Honestly, I was way more hooked on The Crown back in the first couple of seasons. Seeing a young Queen Elizabeth – Claire Foy totally nailed it – trying to balance what she wanted with what she had to do as she became queen was really compelling. Plus, the chemistry between Foy and Matt Smith, who played Prince Philip, was fantastic – he had this playful, knowing look that just worked. It was a great dynamic!

If you’re eager to dive into the most compelling family conflicts of The Crown, start with season four. It centers on Queen Elizabeth (played by Olivia Colman) as she attempts to manage the troubled relationship between her son Charles (a standout performance by Josh O’Connor) and Diana (Emma Corrin, in a star-making role).

2. Game of Thrones (Now)

Viewers were completely captivated, describing the show as “wild, brilliant, and emotional.” This epic fantasy told the story of a fierce battle for control among powerful families after the king’s closest advisor suddenly died. The series quickly launched Sophie Turner, Kit Harington, and Emilia Clarke to international stardom.

For its first five seasons, the show closely followed George R.R. Martin’s complex book series – which he hasn’t finished yet. The story centers on different groups fighting for power over the Seven Kingdoms, with shifting alliances and frequent betrayals leading to bloodshed.

Game of Thrones is famous for its shocking and unforgettable scenes, like the Red Wedding in season three and the epic Battle of the Bastards in season six. These episodes helped establish the show as a critically acclaimed and popular drama known for its intensity and complex characters.

Even though the ending wasn’t perfect, the show kept viewers hooked with its constant surprises, backstabbing, and grand scale, making the overall experience captivating.

3. The Tudors (Channel 4)

Okay, I’m totally hooked on the British royals again, and honestly, they have no one to blame but themselves – their lives are just so fascinating! I recently dove into The Tudors, and it’s a really gripping show about King Henry VIII. Jonathan Rhys Myers plays a young, seriously good-looking Henry – apparently, he was quite the heartthrob back then! The show centers around his obsession with having a son to secure the throne.

Beyond King Henry VIII’s many romantic relationships, the show The Tudors focuses on the intense power plays within the royal court, especially the rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey and England’s separation from the Catholic Church. While The Tudors isn’t meant to be a strictly historical or completely accurate depiction—it’s more interested in steamy romance and dramatic storylines—it’s undeniably an exciting and captivating show, prioritizing entertainment over historical detail.

For the same events depicted in a much more serious light, have a go at the BBC’s Wolf Hall.

4. Downton Abbey (ITVX)

The show started as a nostalgic look at life with servants and masters, but it became incredibly popular and ran for many years, including several seasons and movies. Julian Fellowes’s drama offers a cozy and comforting experience, like a warm bath.

The series centers on the aristocratic Crawley family and how their lives are impacted by major historical events. The first season opens with the tragedy of the Titanic in 1912 and explores the changing society of the Edwardian period, particularly the consequences of World War I.

The show’s wonderfully written characters are what make it so beloved, and Maggie Smith’s brilliant portrayal of the sharp-tongued Violet Crawley is a particular highlight.

5. Succession (Now)

This sharply satirical story is a prime example of a family drama – it feels like a classic Greek tragedy, steadily building towards a devastating end.

The show centers on a hugely wealthy and influential family locked in a fierce struggle for control. Showrunner Jesse Armstrong sharply examines how extreme wealth and power can damage relationships, using this deeply flawed family as a case study. And, to be clear, the creators have repeatedly stated this family is not based on the Murdochs.

Logan Roy, brilliantly portrayed by Brian Cox, is the powerful, aging head of the media empire Waystar Royco. As his health declines, his deeply flawed but relatable children start vying for control of the company – and their father’s attention. This sets off a ruthless battle filled with ego clashes, scheming, and public shaming, as they’ll do almost anything to gain power and earn his approval.

Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, and Kieran Culkin give the best performances of their careers as the members of this dysfunctional family. The show is both captivating and disturbing, revealing the lack of ethics hidden behind the seemingly successful world of big business.

6. Empire (Channel 4)

Inspired by shows like The Godfather, Dynasty, and Succession, Empire tells the story of a family fighting for control of a music empire. When the company’s CEO, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), starts to decline in health, his three sons – Andre, Jamal, and Hakeem – begin vying for power, and the struggle quickly becomes a personal one, much like the dynamics seen in those other famous families.

The conflict between them is fueled by their drive to succeed, lingering bitterness, and old hurts. Unlike shows like The Godfather, where men dominate, Lucious’s wife, Cookie, is a powerful force who actively fights for her place in the business they created together.

While Empire doesn’t have the cool, controlled feel of Succession, it makes up for it with shocking plot twists, dramatic showdowns, and incredibly memorable—even outlandish—scenes. You won’t easily forget what happens on this show.

7. Yellowstone (Paramount+)

Yellowstone offers a new look at the tough world of land ownership and family history in the American West today. The show centers on John Dutton, powerfully played by Kevin Costner, a rancher determined to protect his large Montana property and the traditional lifestyle it embodies, no matter the cost.

His biggest enemies are the residents of the nearby Broken Rock Indian Reservation, and their leader, Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), is just as committed to getting their ancestral land back.

The conflict between them creates the grand scale of the story, highlighting clashes between historical claims, national independence, and economic systems.

8. Peaky Blinders (BBC iPlayer)

This thrilling crime series tells the story of Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), a war veteran who climbs the ranks to become a powerful crime boss in Birmingham.

As Shelby’s criminal organization expands, they clash with other gangs and eventually become entangled with powerful political figures like Winston Churchill and Oswald Mosley. This growing success also fuels conflict within the Shelby family, as mistrust and betrayal put everything they’ve built at risk.

9. The Borgias (Channel 4)

Jeremy Irons delivers a powerfully imposing performance as Rodrigo Borgia, a shrewd and ambitious man who uses his fortune, connections, and boldness to climb the ranks of the Church and ultimately become Pope Alexander VI.

His rise to power launched a turbulent family saga filled with corruption, ruthless ambition, and violence. Once in control, he used the Church to benefit his children, granting them positions, land, and other advantages.

Man, these siblings are ruthless! The oldest, Cesare, and his brother Juan are constantly at each other’s throats – it’s a really intense rivalry. But it’s Lucrezia who’s seriously impressive; she’s become my dad’s go-to for political maneuvering. Though, honestly, the way she and Cesare act around each other is…weird. I’m getting a bad feeling there’s some serious scandal brewing with those two.

The Borgias is a lavish and dramatic series, full of sex, stunning visuals, and brutal violence. It doesn’t hold back and makes no apologies for its excesses.

10. House of the Dragon

We’ve already included Game of Thrones on the list, and that’s intentional. While it’s set in the same world, this new show takes place 200 years earlier and features a completely separate storyline.

The first season of this epic fantasy, filled with dragons and royal conflicts, focuses heavily on building the story’s foundation. It details how a well-intentioned king faced difficult choices that ultimately divided his kingdom and led to widespread conflict and loss of life.

The show boasts incredible performances from actors like Matt Smith, Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, and Emma D’Arcy, making it as captivating and grand as the best seasons of Game of Thrones.

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2026-03-11 11:23