The Gilded Age and 4 Other Best Period Dramas to Binge if You Miss Bridgerton
Court intrigue, secret romances, and lavish costumes – these projects are the perfect Netflix replacement.
Shonda Rhimes' Regency-set series has captured the hearts of millions of viewers. If you can't wait for the next season of Bridgerton, it's time to check out our list of recommendations.
We've rounded up projects that capture the spirit of Bridgerton: a mix of scandal, impeccable outfits, and sublime emotion.
1. The Pursuit of Love, 2021
In the three-episode miniseries, Lily James and Emily Beecham play cousins and best friends who grew up together between the world wars. Fate takes them to different places, both geographically and socially, but the girls maintain a close bond year after year.
The action takes place about a hundred years after the events of Bridgerton, which does not prevent the two projects from finding common ground. It is still the same good old England, the same aristocrats, the same conscious sensuality.
2. The Gilded Age, 2022-...
The series revolves around Marian Brook, the daughter of a disgraced general. The young lady moves in with her aunts and enters New York's high society.
The HBO project, released after the premiere of Bridgerton, was doomed to be compared with the brainchild of Netflix. In fact, the two historical epics have a lot in common, from the interweaving of multiple storylines to the eternal conflict between two generations.
3. The Cook of Castamar, 2021
Even though Bridgerton is set in 1813 London and the Spanish show is set in 18th-century Madrid, there are many similarities between the Netflix projects. At the very least, we have giant wigs and extravagant dresses again.
In The Cook of Castamar, the story begins with the daughter of a famous doctor who is left with nothing after her father dies. The only thing the girl knows how to do is cook gourmet food. This leads her to the castle of Castamar, where secret passions are the favorite hobbies of the rich.
4. Harlots, 2017-2019
If you're looking for something a little less frivolous, but no less colorful than Bridgerton, you should devote a few hours to Harlots.
The series revolves around a woman named Margaret Wells, a brothel owner and mother of two daughters. She decides to move her business to a respectable area of London, hoping to attract privileged customers.
Margaret's ambitions collide with the elite brothel of rival Lydia Quigley, who is used to working with the wealthy.
5. Sanditon, 2019-2023
Based on Jane Austen's last unfinished novel, this costume drama follows Charlotte as she moves to the small seaside village of Sanditon. Here, in true Austen style, she is destined to meet Sidney, a proud and cold young man.
The British series has plenty of elements to keep Bridgerton fans hooked, from dramatic twists to, of course, Theo James.