10 Historical Dramas to Binge Before Bridgerton Season 3

1. Versailles

Oh là là! Step into the opulent corridors of Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV. Glamour? There's plenty. Political intrigue? Oh, buckets full. And the Sun King himself, spearheading the grand transformation of Versailles from a hunting lodge into a symbol of French power. The grandeur isn't just in the architecture but the plots too. Conspiracies are as numerous as chandeliers, and trust me, those are countless!

2. Borgia: Faith and Fear

Alright, ever heard of a family more scandalous than any soap opera? Enter the Borgias. Set in the Renaissance era, this one's spicy. Rodrigo Borgia becomes Pope Alexander VI, and that's when the fun starts. Nepotism, corruption, and a sprinkling of orgies. This isn't your grandma's Sunday mass! Rome's underbelly is darker than you'd imagine, and the Borgia family? They're knee-deep in it.

3. Rebellion

Ah, let's journey to Ireland during the Easter Rising of 1916. It's not a love story set against a war-torn backdrop; it's a nation's tale of strife and identity. The Brits? They're in control. The Irish? Restless. And amidst it all are tales of ordinary lives entwined with political twists. If you fancy a dash of revolution with your drama, here's a perfectly brewed Irish cup.

4. Harlots

Now, on to 18th century London, where being a harlot isn't just a job—it's a competitive market. Brothel wars, economic struggles, and the women at the heart of it. Margaret Wells wants a better life for her daughters, but rival madam Lydia Quigley isn't making it easy. Think of it as a turf war, but with corsets. A hidden gem? Absolutely. Grittier than your average costume drama, it pulls no punches. Quite literally.

5. Turn: Washington's Spies

Hush now, for we're stepping into the covert world of America's first spy ring during the Revolutionary War. Abraham Woodhull? Farmer turned spy. His mission? To turn the tide of the war. But spying ain't easy, especially with personal conflicts and divided loyalties. The game of cat and mouse isn't reserved for modern espionage tales. The past had its fair share of secrets whispered behind closed doors.

6. Banished

Did you know Britain used to send its convicts to Australia? Oh, what a time! In this series, we witness the inception of this penal colony. Tough environment, tougher characters. Soldiers, convicts, the dynamics of power – it's a raw portrayal of survival and humanity. Some might say it's the historical version of Survivor. But remember, no one gets voted off the island; they're stuck there.

7. Medici: Masters of Florence

Ever gazed at the wonders of Florence and pondered who's behind it? The Medici family. But this isn't just about art and patronage; it's a power play. Banking, politics, and backstabbing (sometimes literally). Cosimo de Medici inherits the family bank and a heap of mysteries following his father's sudden death. It's a gripping tale of wealth and intrigue, where every alliance has its price.

8. Poldark

Meet Ross Poldark, the dashing soldier returning home after the American Revolutionary War. Dreaming of peace? Too bad. His family estate's in ruins, his love's engaged to another, and the Cornish mining community's in turmoil. It's not all dark and dreary, though. With rugged coastlines and breezy cliffs, the cinematography is as captivating as the plot. But will Poldark's charm sway you? Only one way to find out.

9. Dickensian

Rolling fog, cobblestone streets, Victorian England. Sounds like a classic Charles Dickens tale, right? Twist! This series intertwines characters from his various novels. Jacob Marley's murder (Scrooge's partner, remember?) is the focal point, and from there, the dominoes tumble. It's a rich tapestry of stories weaved into one. Dickens purists might raise an eyebrow, but for the rest of us? It's a delightful romp in nostalgia.

10. The Crimson Field

World War I wasn't just trenches and battles. Let's shift our gaze to the nurses treating the wounded in field hospitals. Their daily struggles, the lives they touch, and the love and loss they endure form the crux. It's a fresh lens on a well-trodden era, highlighting unsung heroines amidst chaos. The horrors of war? Still there. But the resilience of these women shines brighter.