25 hit British period drama TV series returning in 2024 with new seasons
2024 should 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 are coming back for more episodes next year!
You can also check out our epic previews of 2024’s latest British period drama movies and brand new British period drama TV mini-series too.
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Around the World in 80 Days – Season 2
What’s it about?
Based on Jules Verne’s classic 1873 novel, the BBC’s adventure series launched during Christmas 2021 and a second season was confirmed the following month, although news has been very quiet since then.
David Tennant (Broadchurch, Doctor Who) will likely be back playing intrepid explorer Phileas Fogg, alongside Ibrahim Koma (Je Suis Daddy) as Passepartout, and Leonie Benesch (The Crown) as Abigail Fix.
When’s it back?
Season 2 could premiere on BBC One and PBS in late 2024.
Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days novel is available on Amazon.
Belgravia: The Next Chapter
What’s it about?
Belgravia: The Next Chapter is a follow-up to ITV’s 2020 period drama series, based on the bestselling 2016 novel by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.
The new series will be set in 1871, three decades after the events of the original series, telling the love story of Frederick Trenchard and his new love interest, Clara Dunn, who is a newcomer to London society.
When’s it back?
Belgravia: The Next Chapter will premiere this winter on MGM+ in the US, and on ITV1 in the UK, streaming on ITVX.
Belgravia is available to watch on MGM+.
Bridgerton – Season 3
What’s it about?
The third season of Netflix’s hit period drama series based on the bestselling novels by Julia Quinn focuses on the budding relationship between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).
“With Penelope’s days as a wallflower wearing thin, will she finally take bloom? Time will tell, and as always, so will this author,” teased Lady Whistledown when filming began last summer.
When’s it back?
Season 3 is expected to premiere on Netflix in early summer 2024.
Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels are available on Amazon.
The Buccaneers – Season 2
What’s it about?
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton’s unfinished final novel of the same name, this Apple TV+ period drama follows a group of fun-loving young American girls as they explode into the tightly corseted London season of the 1870s.
The Buccaneers was renewed for a second season in December 2023.
When’s it back?
Season 2 expected to premiere on Apple TV+ in late 2024 or in 2025.
Edith Wharton’s novel is available on Amazon.
Call the Midwife – Season 13
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 thirteenth season, introducing some new cast members.
“As 1969 unfolds we will see change and challenge rock the world of our beloved nuns, nurses, medics, and midwives,” writer Heidi Thomas has revealed.
When’s it back?
Call the Midwife returns on BBC One in January 2024 then on PBS in the spring.
Dalgliesh – Season 3
What’s it about?
Bertie Carvel (Doctor Foster) reprises his role as Detective Chief Inspector Dalgliesh in three new two-part stories based on the books by P.D. James.
When’s it back?
Season 3 will likely premiere in the UK on Channel 5 around April-May 2024 and on Acorn TV in the US.
Dalgliesh is available to watch on Acorn TV with a free 7-day trial.
Doctor Who – Season 14
What’s it about?
Following 2023’s epic 60th anniversary celebrations, Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) takes over the keys to the TARDIS for a brand new eight-part season.
The Doctor’s latest adventures in time and space are rumoured to include an encounter with the Beatles in the 1960s and a lavish Regency ball.
When’s it back?
Season 14 will premiere on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ worldwide in May 2024.
The Famous Five
What’s it about?
Based on the classic children’s adventure novels by Enid Blyton, the BBC’s new family drama is back with another two feature-length episodes following the show’s Christmas 2023 debut.
The new Famous Five series follows Julian, Dick, Anne, and George – plus their dog Timmy – as the five daring young explorers encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, and remarkable mysteries.
When will it air?
The Famous Five will return in 2024 on the CBBC channel and streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK, on ZDF in Germany, and on TF1 in France.
Father Brown – Season 11
What’s it about?
Based on the stories by GK Chesterton, the BBC’s popular period crime drama is back for an eleventh season, with Harry Potter actor Mark Williams returning as the titular cleric to solve more mysteries in the sleepy Cotswold village of Kembleford during the 1950s.
Guest stars in the new episodes include Sylvester McCoy (The Hobbit) and Ingrid Oliver (Doctor Who), with John Light (Murder in Provence) returning as Flambeau.
When’s it back?
Season 11 is expected to premiere in the UK on BBC One in January 2024 then on BritBox in the US a couple of weeks later.
Funny Woman – Season 2
What’s it about?
Based on About a Boy author Nick Hornby’s 2016 novel of the same name, this comedy drama series stars Gemma Arterton (Their Finest) as a young woman from Blackpool finding her comic voice in the male dominated world of the 1960s sitcom.
The second season of Funny Woman sees Sophie find out that ‘having a voice’ doesn’t mean it will be heard and that fame is a fickle friend.
When’s it back?
Funny Woman will return in the UK exclusively on Sky Max and streaming service Now in 2024.
The Gold – Season 2
What’s it about?
Inspired by the true story of the Brink’s-Mat robbery in 1983, the BBC’s hit heist drama returns for a second season.
As the police investigation continues, The Gold becomes a tense, high-stakes journey into international money laundering and organised crime, with Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Charlotte Spencer (Sanditon), Emun Elliott (The Paradise) and more cast returning.
When’s it back?
Season 2 will premiere in late 2024 in the UK on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Grantchester – Season 9
What’s it about?
Based on the novels by James Runcie, ITV’s popular 1950s crime drama series returns for a ninth season with another big cast change.
Set in 1961, the new episodes will see Tom Brittney depart the series after five years playing Reverend Will Davenport, Rishi Nair (New Tricks, Whitstable Pearl) making his debut as new vicar Alphy Kotteram alongside all the returning regular cast.
When’s it back?
Grantchester will return on ITV and PBS in the second half of 2024.
Hotel Portofino – Season 3
What’s it about?
Adapted from JP O’Connell’s book, the glamorous period drama about a hotel on the magical Italian Riviera during the Roaring ‘20s returns with brand six new episodes.
The third season will be “the most sumptuous yet, with new passions and old rivalries threatening the future of the Ainsworth family.”
When’s it back?
Season 3 is expected to arrive on BritBox in the UK in early 2024, then in the US this fall on PBS.
House of the Dragon – Season 2
What’s it about?
Following a hit first season in 2022, this Game of Thrones spin-off is back with eight new episodes.
Based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon is set centuries before the events of HBO’s previous hit series.
When’s it back?
Season 2 should be premiering on Sky Atlantic and HBO in summer 2024.
Leonardo – Season 2
What’s it about?
From Sherlock writer Steve Thompson and The X-Files writer Frank Spotnitz, this historical drama series stars Aidan Turner (Poldark) as Italian inventor, scientist, and artist Leonardo da Vinci.
The show’s producer has hinted that fans will see Leonardo during his time in Rome in Season 2, encountering other talents of the day such as Raphael and Michelangelo.
When’s it on?
There hasn’t been much news since the Season 2 renewal announcement, but it might premiere in 2024 on Amazon Prime Video in the UK, then on The CW in the US.
Malory Towers – Season 5
What’s it about?
Malory Towers is set at a Cornish all-girls’ boarding school in 1940s England.
Based on English author Enid Blyton’s classic novels, the popular BBC children’s drama returns for a fifth season with an extended 20-episode run of midnight feasts, lacrosse games and friendly larks.
When’s it back?
Season 5 will probably premiere on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at some point in spring/summer 2024.
Miss Scarlet and the Duke – Season 4
What’s it about?
Kate Phillips (Wolf Hall, The Crown) returns as Eliza Scarlet, the fictional first ever female detective in Victorian London, for a fourth season of the 1800s crime drama.
When’s it back?
Miss Scarlet and The Duke returns on Sunday 7 January 2024 on PBS Masterpiece and then on Alibi in the UK.
Moonflower Murders
What’s it about?
Lesley Manville returns as editor turned sleuth Susan Ryeland in this follow-up to Magpie Murders.
Adapting the second novel from Anthony Horowitz’s series, in Moonflower Murders we find that Susan has left the cut-throat world of publishing and is living in Crete, but it’s not long before she’s back in London to investigate a new mystery.
When’s it back?
Moonflower Murders will air on BBC One and BritBox in 2024.
Outlander – Season 7 Part 2
What’s it about?
Outlander returns with the second half of the latest season Starz’s historical fantasy romance, based on the seventh book in Diana Gabaldon’s series, An Echo in the Bone.
When’s it back?
Season 7 Part 2 will premiere on Starz in early 2024.
Outlander is available on DVD on Amazon.
SAS Rogue Heroes – Season 2
What’s it about?
MGM+ and BBC One’s action-packed series launched in 2022, exploring the origins of the world’s greatest Special Forces unit during World War II.
Set in 1943, the second season of SAS Rogue Heroes brings back most of the main cast and introduces some new additions as the SAS turn their attention from the conflict in North Africa to mainland Europe.
When’s it back?
Season 2 will air on BBC One and MGM+ in 2024.
The Serpent Queen – Season 2
What’s it about?
Starz’s historical drama series set in 16th century France stars Oscar-nominated English actress Samantha Morton as the nefarious Catherine de Medici.
Based on Leonie Frieda’s book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France, The Serpent Queen is back for a second season.
When’s it back?
Season 2 will premiere on Starz in 2024.
Sister Boniface Mysteries – Season 3
What’s it about?
Lorna Watson is back as the titular nun, moped rider, wine maker and part-time forensic scientist for a third season of Sister Boniface Mysteries.
Set in the 1960s, the Father Brown spin-off also welcomes back Max Brown, Jerry Iwu and Ami Metcalf as DI Sam Gillespie, DS Felix Livingstone, and WPC Peggy Button.
When’s it back?
Season 3 will be streaming on the Drama channel and BritBox in early 2024.
Taboo – Season 2
What’s it about?
Created by actor Tom Hardy and Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, Taboo launched seven years ago and a second season has been promised since March 2017.
Eight new episodes of the dark period drama will eventually see our anti-hero “continue to explore many realities as he takes his band of misfits to a new world.”
When will it air?
It’s hard to predict at this point. One day!
Vikings: Valhalla – Season 3
What’s it about?
Netflix’s epic Vikings spin-off set in the early 11th century returns for a third and final season.
The danger is far from over for Harald Sigurdsson, Leif Eriksson and Freydís Eiríksdóttir as we rejoin Vikings Valhalla – and there might also be a long-awaited reunion for the trio.
When’s it back?
Season 3 is set to premiere on Netflix in the first quarter of 2024.
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light
What’s it about?
The creative team behind 2015’s award-winning Wolf Hall series have reunited to adapt the final novel in Hilary Mantel’s trilogy.
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light picks up the story in 1536, with Anne Boleyn dead and Thomas Cromwell emerging from the bloodbath to continue his climb to power and wealth, while his formidable master, Henry, settles to short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour.
When’s it back?
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light is expected to premiere in late 2024 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on PBS Masterpiece in the US.
Take a look back at our list of last year’s best returning British period drama TV series here!