15 Shows You've Never Heard Of That Are Better Than Bridgerton

Here are some of the must-watch shows that are perfect for your post-Bridgerton binge-blues.

1. Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011)

If you're itching for some small-town drama, Lark Rise to Candleford is where it's at. Set in the 19th century, this series centers around young Laura Timmins who moves from her small village of Lark Rise to work in the post office of the nearby market town of Candleford. Cue drama. Love triangles sprout, money issues arise, and town rivalries get fierce. Each episode throws Laura and her boss, Dorcas, into moral and emotional dilemmas.

2. The Buccaneers (1995)

Wonder what Gossip Girl would be like if it were set in the 1870s? Say hello to The Buccaneers. Four rich American girls travel to England to find noble husbands. Nan, Virginia, Lizzy, and Conchita meet their respective Englishmen, but they quickly find that the British aristocracy is not all it's cracked up to be. There's forbidden romance, backstabbing, and oh-so-many posh parties. And also, there's new, Apple TV+ version coming November 8, 2023.

3. Daniel Deronda (2002)

Set in Victorian England, the series revolves around Daniel, an idealistic young man brought up as the ward of a wealthy Englishman. He crosses paths with Gwendolen, a headstrong young woman facing financial ruin. While Daniel helps Gwendolen, he also discovers his own mysterious heritage, linking him to the Jewish community.

4. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996)

Anne Brontë fans, this one's for you. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall gives us Helen Graham, a young widow who takes up residence in the dilapidated Wildfell Hall. Gilbert Markham, a farmer, gets curious and then smitten. But Helen has a dark past involving an alcoholic, abusive husband. The story unfolds through diaries, letters, and good ol' village gossip.

5. Wives and Daughters (1999)

Wives and Daughters circles around Molly Gibson, the daughter of a widowed country doctor. Her life gets turned upside down when her dad remarries and she gains a stepsister, Cynthia. Now, Cynthia is charming but also trouble with a capital T. Molly finds herself entangled in love triangles, long-kept family secrets, and social faux pas.

6. He Knew He Was Right (2004)

Ever heard of this one? Didn't think so. He Knew He Was Right revolves around Louis Trevelyan and his wife, Emily. Louis becomes insanely jealous when Emily befriends Colonel Osborne, an older man. What starts as a simple disagreement spirals into a full-on marriage crisis. The kicker? Both parties are convinced they're in the right, leading to an emotionally charged, complex breakdown.

7. Berkeley Square (1998)

Berkeley Square is a gem focusing on three nannies in 1902 London. Matty, Lydia, and Hannah navigate the challenges of caring for children while dealing with their own personal lives. Affairs? Check. Abandonment issues? Double-check. A socialite kidnapping her own baby? Oh, you better believe it. It's like Mary Poppins meets Downton Abbey, but with a much darker twist.

8. Lost in Austen (2008)

In Lost in Austen, Amanda Price, a modern-day Londoner, finds herself switching lives with Elizabeth Bennet and landing smack dab in the middle of Pride and Prejudice. Chaos ensues. Amanda tries to fit into the 19th-century social scene while also trying to ensure that the original plotline stays on track. Spoiler: It doesn't.

9. Desperate Romantics (2009)

Desperate Romantics brings to life the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of young painters and poets hell-bent on shaking up the Victorian art world. The plot dives into their controversial artworks, scandalous love lives, and the competitive London art scene.

10. The Pallisers (1974)

The Pallisers is based on a series of novels by Anthony Trollope and follows the political and romantic exploits of Plantagenet Palliser and his wife, Lady Glencora. Think of it as the House of Cards of its day, just with more corsets and less backstabbing. With elections, political maneuvering, and star-crossed romances, this series packs in all the elements for a gripping binge-watch.

11. Aristocrats (1999)

Aristocrats is based on the real-life Lennox sisters who lived in 18th-century England. The series covers all bases—arranged marriages, secret affairs, and political intrigue. Caroline, Emily, Louisa, and Sarah navigate a world where their choices are often limited by their social standing, dealing with what life throws at them.

12. North and South (1975)

Not to be confused with the more famous 2004 adaptation, this older version of North and South is equally compelling but less talked about. It centers on Margaret Hale, a young woman who moves from rural southern England to the industrial northern town of Milton. The drama kicks in when she clashes with John Thornton, a self-made mill owner. They go from enemies to...well, you'll have to watch to find out.

13. Cranford (2007-2009)

Cranford offers a slice-of-life look at a small English village in the 1840s. It focuses mainly on the town's women, who have to adjust to the rapid changes brought about by the looming railway expansion. Mary Smith and her elderly sisters, Miss Matty and Miss Deborah, lead a charming ensemble cast that navigates the comings and goings in this close-knit community.

14. The Way We Live Now (2001)

Augustus Melmotte is a sketchy financier who moves to London with his daughter, Marie. He has a plan to get rich off a new railway line, but guess what? He's a complete fraud. As he worms his way into high society, families are ruined, fortunes are lost, and hearts are broken. It's a masterclass in how not to invest in the stock market, Victorian style.

15. The Paradise (2012-2013)

The Paradise is set in England's first department store and focuses on Denise Lovett, an ambitious young woman who rises through the store's ranks. Workplace drama unfolds with sales, rivalries, and even a murder investigation. And of course, a forbidden romance between Denise and the store's owner, John Moray, spices things up.