Not Just The Crown: 7 British Royal Dramas You Need to Binge-Watch Now

1. Victoria (2016-2019)

This compelling series begins with Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne at just 18 years old, a teenager thrust into one of the world's most significant roles. Victoria, starring the immensely talented Jenna Coleman, doesn't shy away from the personal life of the Queen, intermingling it deftly with political pressures and court intrigue.

It's like Game of Thrones, except with less dragons and more real historical events. The portrayal of Queen Victoria's relationship with Prince Albert, played by Tom Hughes, is a particular highlight. Coleman and Hughes dated in real life, mirroring their on-screen romance.

2. The White Queen (2013)

Dive headfirst into the turbulent era of the War of the Roses with The White Queen. Based on Philippa Gregory's historical novel series, The Cousins' War, this ten-part drama focuses on Elizabeth Woodville (Rebecca Ferguson), Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale), and Anne Neville (Faye Marsay).

This isn't your average stiff-upper-lip royal drama; it's more akin to a medieval Real Housewives, with political maneuvering, marriages, affairs, and plenty of backstabbing. The show boasts an 83% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as a fan favorite.

3. The Tudors (2007-2010)

The Tudors, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, serves as a glamorous and steamy depiction of King Henry VIII's life, famously known for his multiple marriages (and how they ended). The series isn't exactly known for its strict historical accuracy – Henry remains suspiciously slim throughout his life, for one – but it excels in weaving together a tale of desire, power, and the difficulties of ruling a kingdom. Fun fact: despite playing a quintessential English monarch, Rhys Meyers is actually Irish!

4. Wolf Hall (2015)

On the other end of the Tudor spectrum, we have Wolf Hall, a slow-burning drama based on Hilary Mantel's acclaimed novels. This miniseries adopts a unique perspective, focusing on Thomas Cromwell, played brilliantly by Mark Rylance. Cromwell, a blacksmith's son, climbs the ranks to become Henry VIII's chief minister. Rylance's subdued performance won him an Emmy, and the show itself was a hit, becoming the most popular drama series on BBC Two since modern ratings were introduced in 2002.

5. The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)

Delving into the seldom told story of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII, The Spanish Princess serves up a cocktail of romance, political maneuvering, and heartache. The series, starring Charlotte Hope as Catherine, starts with her arrival in England, betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales. But when Arthur dies unexpectedly, Catherine sets her sights on the new heir apparent: the future King Henry VIII.

However, their union is far from the fairy tale she hoped for, and the series does a fantastic job portraying her struggle to maintain her status and bear a male heir. Charlotte Hope, who plays the Spanish princess, is in fact English, born in the historic city of Salisbury.

6. Gunpowder (2017)

Gunpowder is a historical drama miniseries that takes us back to 1605, when a group of provincial English Catholics plotted to blow up the House of Lords and kill King James I. Kit Harington, famous for his role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, both stars and co-produces this series. His character, Robert Catesby, is the driving force behind the Gunpowder Plot.

The series delves into the motivations behind this historical event, painting a complex picture of religious tension and rebellion. As a fascinating tidbit, Harington is actually a direct descendant of Catesby on his mother's side!

7. Elizabeth I (2005)

Starring the fantastic Helen Mirren, this miniseries focuses on the later years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, including her relationship with her courtiers and her foreign suitors. It's not your typical portrayal of 'The Virgin Queen.' The series delves into the intricate, often dangerous dance between duty and personal desire that characterized Elizabeth's rule. Her struggle to balance her roles as a woman and a queen is brought to vivid life by Mirren's performance, which won her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress. Jeremy Irons, who played Elizabeth's long-time love, the Earl of Leicester, won an Emmy for his role as well.