19 returning British period drama TV series back in 2023
2023 looks set to be another brilliant year for British period drama fans.
Here, in alphabetical order, we’ve listed all the British historical and period drama series that have been renewed for the coming year!
Take a look at our huge previews of 2023’s latest British period drama movies and brand new British period drama mini-series too.
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All Creatures Great and Small – Season 4
What’s it about?
Based on the much-loved collection of stories by author James Herriot, Channel 5’s hit period drama follows the heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet in the Yorkshire Dales.
As we return to Skeldale House in the spring of 1940, there’s change on the horizon for everyone.
What did the reviews say?
“If you’ve had a stressful day, you will feel instantly soothed by the sight of the Yorkshire Dales. There is a fundamental kindness and decency to the characters that makes them an absolute pleasure to watch.” ★★★★ – The Telegraph
All Creatures Great and Small is available on DVD on Amazon.
Call the Midwife – Season 12
What’s it about?
The BBC’s long-running period drama series about a group of nurse midwives in the East End of London is back for a twelfth season, and change is coming as we return to Nonnatus House in April 1968.
What did the reviews say?
“Call the Midwife isn’t just an uplifting and moving show; it also gives a voice to those real life women whose stories have been lost to the sands of time.” – Stylist
“The beloved drama only continues to grip us all. From fiery relationships to traumatising cases and surprise exits, the BBC series has returned with a bang … Call the Midwife has continued to captivate viewers this season with a slew of powerful storylines and eye-opening medical cases.” – Radio Times
Call the Midwife is available on DVD on Amazon.
Carnival Row – Season 2
What’s it about?
Set in a Victorian fantasy world where humans and creatures clash, Amazon’s hit series is led by Pirates of the Caribbean star Orlando Bloom and British model turned actress Cara Delevingne.
The second and final season picks up with former inspector Rycroft Philostrate aka Philo investigating a series of gruesome murders stoking social tension. With humans and fae folk divided and freedom on the line, each hero will face impossible dilemmas and soul-defining tests in the epic conclusion of Carnival Row.
What did the reviews say?
“….the series still has a lot going for it — the costume design, the fantastical premise, the setting, power and political dynamics, and interesting characters — but it is somehow still missing a spark of intrigue that would keep viewers hooked.” – Screen Rant
“So much of what makes this world so appealing on paper is its potential, but the ideas are never fully fleshed out … without a clear, focused story to make its universe feel believable and inhabited, Carnival Row never fulfills its initial promise.” ★★ – Slant
Carnival Row is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
The Crown – Season 6
What’s it about?
Netflix’s fictional dramatisation of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign comes to an end with its final season.
Season 6 Part 1 sees the Windsors face a reckoning as Diana continues to captivate the public in the weeks leading to her tragic death in 1997, then the second part of Season 6 finds Queen Elizabeth II reflecting on her reign and looking ahead to a time when her successors will take the throne.
What did the reviews say?
“The younger royals are a poor substitute for some titans of the 20th century, but Peter Morgan has managed to pull off a decent ending to this saga.” ★★★★ – Evening Standard
“Juggernaut of a show has squandered its once-golden potential.” ★★ – The Independent
The Crown is available on DVD on Amazon.
The Curse – Season 2
What’s it about?
Starring Emer Kenny from Father Brown, Channel 4’s 1980s-set comedy caper about a gang of hopeless small time crooks embroiled in a gold heist returns for as second season with the crew residing in the sunny Costa Del Sol.
What did the reviews say?
“The Curse is genuinely funny … If you haven’t seen The Curse, check it out: the first series (just) edges it, but it’s still (pun intended) comedy gold.” – The Guardian
Dalgleish – Season 2
What’s it about?
Bertie Carvel (Doctor Foster) returns as Detective Chief Inspector Dalgliesh in three new two-part stories based on the books by P.D. James.
The second season of Dalgliesh sees the enigmatic investigator and poet tackle even more mind-boggling mysteries in the grubby heart of ’70s England, with guest stars including Daisy Waterstone (The Durrells), Sorcha Cusack (Father Brown), and Jeremy Irvine (War Horse).
What did the reviews say?
“Some viewers may remain attached to old Dalgliesh Roy Marsden, but Bertie Carvel’s spin on the detective-slash-poet is worth a watch.” ★★★★ – The Telegraph
“If you like puzzle-policiers where a gory murder draws you into a protracted game of cat and mouse, this set will see you through nights when the TV schedules don’t appeal. If you yearn for a new Endeavour, keep looking.” ★★★ – The Arts Desk
Dalgliesh is available to watch on Acorn TV with a free 7-day trial.
Dodger – Easter and Christmas specials
What’s it about?
Set in the world of Oliver Twist before the events of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, the children’s comedy-drama series returned with two new specials.
‘The Bad Egg’ sees Dodger face his harshest punishment yet as he’s sent to a posh school, while ‘Coronation’ features Fagin and the gang’s biggest heist yet: getting their hands on Queen Victoria’s crown from her Coronation ceremony!
What did the reviews say?
“This hilarious Dickens prequel is an utter treat.” ★★★★★ – The Guardian
Endeavour – Season 9
What’s it about?
Shaun Evans is back as the young Inspector Morse in ITV’s spin-off series, alongside Roger Allam (Murder in Provence) as DCI Fred Thursday, in the three last ever episodes of Endeavour.
What did the reviews say?
“The Morse prequel’s final series scales heights the original never reached.” ★★★★★ – The Guardian
“Young Morse departs in a highly emotional finale.” ★★★★★ – Independent.ie
Endeavour is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Father Brown – Season 10
What’s it about?
Based on the stories by GK Chesterton, the BBC’s popular period crime drama returns for a tenth run, with Harry Potter actor Mark Williams back as the titular cleric to solve more mysteries in the sleepy Cotswold village of Kembleford during the early 1950s.
What did the reviews say?
“The BBC’s highest-rating daytime drama returns with its winning formula – bucolic village life plus homicidal naughtiness – firmly intact.” ★★★★ – The Telegraph
Father Brown is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Grantchester – Season 8
What’s it about?
Based on the novels by James Runcie, ITV’s popular 1950s crime drama series is back with six brand new episodes.
Robson Green and Tom Brittney both return as DI Geordie Keating and Reverend Will Davenport, as the pair find themselves in unfamiliar, emotional waters.
What did the reviews say?
“No more pretence it’s about anything other than Tom Brittney’s sexy vicar … In the drama’s latest instalment, there was some light detective work – and a lot of hunky Reverend.” ★★★ – iNews
Grantchester is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Hotel Portofino – Season 2
What’s it about?
Adapted from JP O’Connell’s book, PBS and BritBox’s glamorous period drama follows an elite yet dysfunctional British family who open a hotel for upper-class travelers on the magical Italian Riviera during the Roaring ‘20s.
Season 2 opens in the summer of 1927 as Bella Ainsworth is still devoting all her energy into making Hotel Portofino a success.
What did the reviews say?
“This is Upstairs Downstairs with added totalitarianism and sunburn – so silly you may just enjoy it.” – The Guardian
Hotel Portofino is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Malory Towers – Season 4
What’s it about?
Set at a Cornish all-girls’ boarding school in 1940s England, the BBC children’s drama is based on English author Enid Blyton’s classic novels.
Darrell Rivers (Ella Bright) and the gang are back soon with a fourth season of midnight feasts, lacrosse games and friendly larks.
What did the reviews say?
“The CBBC adaptation of Enid Blyton’s boarding-school classic bowls along so smoothly and sweetly, it’s hard not to love it.” ★★★★ – The Guardian
Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers books are available on Amazon.
Miss Scarlet and the Duke – Season 3
What’s it about?
Kate Phillips (Wolf Hall, The Crown) returns as Eliza Scarlet, the fictional first ever female detective in Victorian London, in this 1800s crime drama.
Aside from her vexing cases, Scarlet has to contend with growing competition from a rival agency – and, as always, Inspector William Wellington remains Scarlet’s most intractable mystery.
What did the reviews say?
“It’s an easy-to-take show that does most everything well, looks good, has a lively pulse. The mysteries are suitably twisty but not so obscure that you won’t solve a few before the detectives do … A romp with murder, and bustles.” – Los Angeles Times
Miss Scarlet and The Duke is available on DVD on Amazon.
Our Flag Means Death – Season 2
What’s it about?
From the team behind Flight of the Conchords and What We Do in the Shadows, HBO’s historical comedy series returns for a second season.
After trading in his comfortable life for one of a buccaneer, legendary kind-hearted pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) has is now captain of a pirate ship, struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew.
What did the reviews say?
“Irreverent and charming, the second season of Our Flag Means Death delivers another dose of the offbeat humor that made the first season such a breakout hit while doubling down on the romance that made fans fall in love with it.” – RogerEbert.com
Our Flag Means Death is available to watch on Max.
Outlander – Season 7 Part 1
What’s it about?
The latest season of Starz’s historical fantasy romance is based on the seventh book in Diana Gabaldon’s series, An Echo in the Bone.
What did the reviews say?
“Season 7 boasts a renewed energy missing from the last outing, and although nothing is ever easy for the inhabitants of Fraser’s Ridge, this time around the storytelling spark and action has been excitedly reignited.” ★★★★ – Metro
“For the devoted fans who have made it this deep into the journey, Outlander‘s seventh season delivers on everything they’ve come to know and love about this epic romance while setting the stage for its ultimate finale.” Collider
Outlander is available on DVD on Amazon.
Sanditon – Season 3
What’s it about?
The final season of ITV’s period drama based on Jane Austen’s unfinished final novel, the hit period drama provides fans with “more grand parties, wise and outspoken women, and lovely friendships that stand the test of time and circumstances.”
What did the reviews say?
“The final season of Sanditon is absolutely enchanting and a fitting farewell for a beloved show.” – Decider
“They have given the Sanditon fandom the best of everything that will leave you teary-eyed, filled with thanks, and yet sorrowful that this beautiful series has come to an end.” – Sanditon Seaside
Sanditon is available on DVD on Amazon.
Sister Boniface Mysteries – Season 2
What’s it about?
Lorna Watson (Watson & Oliver) reprises her role as nun, moped rider, wine maker and part-time forensic scientist Sister Boniface in a second season of BritBox’s Father Brown spin-off set in the 1960s.
What did the reviews say?
“Hidden hordes love British period murder mystery series, and Sister Boniface Mysteries is the latest. The kindly nun with great instincts, forensic capabilities, has a nose for investigation trumps local police detectives. Terrific comfort viewing.” – What She Said
Sister Boniface Mysteries is available to watch on BritBox.
Vikings: Valhalla – Season 2
What’s it about?
Set a century after the final season of Vikings, the second season of Netflix’s spin-off series rejoins our legendary heroes; Leif Eriksson, Freydis Eriksdotter, and Harald Sigurdsson.
What did the reviews say?
“From start to finish, Vikings: Valhalla Season 2 is a non-stop, breathtaking, utterly relentless foray, following beloved characters into the unknown as they seek their destinies.” – Collider
Every episode of Vikings is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
World on Fire – Season 2
What’s it about?
The BBC’s epic international World War II drama series was renewed for another season back in 2019, but the pandemic resulted in significant filming delays.
Beginning in October 1940, Season 2 takes us from the streets of Britain into occupied France, Nazi Germany, and to the sands of the North African desert, where British troops struggle alongside Indian Sappers and Australian Diggers to adapt to a very different kind of combat.
What did the reviews say?
“This epic second world war drama is totally gripping … This hugely ambitious attempt to show the war through the lives of ordinary people has an immaculate grasp of tension and character.” ★★★★ – The Guardian
“…if you were a big fan of the first season or are an avid connoisseur of World War Two dramas, then you’ll still almost certainly find a lot to like here.” – Radio Times
World on Fire is available to watch on the PBS Masterpiece channel.
Take a look back at our list of 2022’s best returning British period drama TV series here!