30 new British period drama movies to watch in 2024
2024 is shaping up to be another wonderful year for British period drama fans.
Here, in alphabetical order, we’ve listed all the new British historical and period drama movies you might want to see next year!
You can also check out our epic previews of 2024’s brand new British period drama mini-series and find out which British period dramas are returning with new seasons too.
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Many release dates and productions have been delayed or are still in flux due to 2023’s writers strikes and actors strikes in the US, but we’ll keep this page updated regularly with any news.
Back to Black
What’s it about?
Back to Black brings to life the extraordinary genius of singer Amy Winehouse and the journey that took her from the craziness and colour of 90’s Camden High Street to global adoration – and back again.
Appearing alongside Marisa Abela as Winehouse are Jack O’Connell (SAS Rogue Heroes), Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road)and Lesley Manville (The Crown).
When’s it out?
Back to Black arrives in UK cinemas on 12 April 2024.
Blitz
What’s it about?
Small Axe creator Steve McQueen returns with this new World War II movie set in London.
Blitz stars Saoirse Ronan (See How They Run), Harris Dickinson (The King’s Man), Kathy Burke (Absolutely Fabulous), Stephen Graham (Peaky Blinders), and newcomer Elliott Heffernan.
When’s it out?
Blitz is expected get a cinema release in 2024, ahead of its premiere on AppleTV+ for streaming.
The Chronicles of Narnia
What’s is about?
Netflix announced plans in 2018 to adapt all seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia series.
The streaming service is developing new TV series and film projects based on the classic tales by British author C.S. Lewis, with Little Women director Greta Gerwig working on the project.
When’s it out?
Details are still unconfirmed, but the first of these Narnia projects is expected to premiere exclusively on Netflix in 2024 or 2025.
A complete collection of the Narnia books is available on Amazon.
The Critic
What’s it about?
An amazing cast includes Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings), Gemma Arterton (Their Finest), Mark Strong (1917), Lesley Manville (Mrs Harris Goes to Paris), Romola Garai (Suffragette), Ben Barnes (Narnia), and Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter) in this period thriller based on Anthony Quinn’s classic novel Curtain Call.
Set in 1934 London, The Critic stars McKellen as a feared drama critic, with Arterton playing an actress who winds up caught up in a dangerous web of blackmail, deceit and murder.
When’s it out?
The Critic will be released in 2024.
Anthony Quinn’s Curtain Call novel is available on Amazon.
Enola Holmes 3
What’s it about?
The third Enola Holmes movie is still in the early stages of development, but Netflix has confirmed that Millie Bobby Brown will definitely be back for another adventure as the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes.
When’s it out?
Enola Holmes 3 is expected to be released on Netflix in late 2024 or in 2025.
Nancy Springer’s Enola Holmes novels are available on Amazon.
Firebrand
What’s it about?
From the producer of The Dig, Firebrand stars Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) as Katherine Parr, the last of King Henry VIII’s six wives, alongside Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts), Erin Doherty (The Crown), and Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road).
Everyone holds their breath – for the queen to slip up, for Henry to take her head like wives before. With the hope for a future free of tyranny at risk, will Katherine submit to the inevitable for the sake of King and country?
When’s it out?
Firebrand is expected to arrive in cinemas in early 2024.
Freud’s Last Session
What’s it about?
Interweaving past, present and fantasy, Freud’s Last Session stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud.
On the eve of the Second World War and the end of his life, the movie sees Freud invite iconic author C.S. Lewis (Downton Abbey star Matthew Goode) for a debate over the existence of God.
When’s it out?
Freud’s Last Session is set for release in early 2024.
Gladiator 2
What’s it about?
Not much is known about the plot of this long-awaited follow-up to 2000’s Oscar-winning Gladiator, but director Ridley Scott is returning to helm the sequel and Normal People star Paul Mescal is reportedly playing Lucius, the son of Lucilla (played by a returning Connie Nielsen).
The cast also includes Denzel Washington (The Equalizer), Derek Jacobi (Last Tango in Halifax), Djimon Hounsou (Shazam!), Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things), and Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian).
When’s it out?
Gladiator 2 will be released on Friday 22 November 2024.
The History of Sound
What’s it about?
Josh O’Connor from The Durrells and The Crown stars alongside Aftersun actor Paul Mescal in this World War I love story.
Adapted from Ben Shattuck’s award-winning short story, The History of Sound revolves around two young men, Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor), who set out to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen during the First World War.
When’s it out?
The History of Sound is expected to arrive in 2024.
The Hood
What’s it about?
Written and directed by the Bourne franchise’s Paul Greengrass, this British historical movie stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a farmer who becomes a leader in England’s peasant revolt of 1381.
When’s it out?
The Hood will be released in 2024 or 2025.
An Ideal Wife
What’s it about?
From the director of Emma Thompson’s Good Luck to You Leo Grande, this movie stars Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) as Irish children’s author Constance Lloyd, wife of Oscar Wilde.
An Ideal Wife follows the awakening Constance Lloyd experienced when she discovered that Wilde was gay.
When’s it out?
An Ideal Wife will be released in 2024 or 2025.
Instrumental
What’s it about?
The Theory of Everything director James Marsh adapts the bestselling memoir of English concert pianist James Rhodes, played by Andrew Garfield (Breathe).
Instrumental: A Memoir of Madness, Medication, and Music reveals how music saved the piano prodigy’s life after he was abused during his time at his all-boys junior school.
When’s it out?
Instrumental is expected to be released in 2024 or 2025.
James Rhodes’ book Instrumental: A Memoir of Madness, Medication, and Music is available on Amazon.
Lee
What’s it about?
Kate Winslet stars as Lee Miller in this Sky historical movie about the model-turned-photographer’s experiences in World War II.
The cast also includes Andy Samberg (Cuckoo), Andrea Riseborough (Brighton Rock), Josh O’Connor (The Crown), and Marion Cotillard (Inception).
When’s it out?
Lee is heading to cinemas and streaming on Sky Cinema in 2024.
Let Me Count The Ways
What’s it about?
From the makers of Belle, Let Me Count the Ways dramatises the love affair between the Elizabeth Barrett Browning and playwright Robert Browning in the mid-19th century.
The Victorian poet is played by English actress Emilia Clarke, best known as Daenerys in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
When’s it out?
Let Me Count the Ways is set for release in 2024 or 2025.
Me, You
What’s it about?
Tom Hollander (The Night Manager) and Daisy Jacob (Vanity Fair) lead the cast of this adaptation of Erri De Luca’s novel Me, You (Tu, Mio).
Set in the 1950s in post-war Italy, the story follows 16-year-old London native Marco (Alessandro Gassmann), who is on holiday in Italy with his father Edward, played by Hollander.
When’s it out?
Me, You is expected to arrive in cinemas in 2024.
Erri De Luca’s novel Me, You (Tu, Mio) is available on Amazon.
Midas Man
What’s it about?
Midas Man tells the story of British music entrepreneur Brian Epstein, who shot to fame in his 20s discovering the likes of The Beatles, Cilla Black and Gerry and the Pacemakers before dying at the young age of 32.
Alongside Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Wolf Hall) as Epstein, the film also features Emily Watson (Apple Tree Yard) and Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road) as his parents, plus It’s a Sin star Omari Douglas, and Rosie Day from Outlander.
When’s it out?
Midas Man will be released in 2024.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
What’s it about?
Best known for his two Sherlock Holmes movies, Guy Ritchie reunites with The Man From UNCLE star Henry Cavill in this World War II secret operatives movie.
Ritchie is adapting The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops by historian Damien Lewis.
When’s it out?
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is set to arrive in US cinemas on 19 April 2024, then on Amazon Prime Video globally.
Damien Lewis’s book The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is available on Amazon.
Nell Gwynn
What’s it about?
Based on the Olivier-winning play by Jessica Swale, this historical movie dramatises the life of Nell Gwynn, mistress of Charles II, and her part in the theatre of the 17th century.
Nell Gwynn comes from the makers of Darkest Hour, Atonement, and The Theory of Everything, with French-British actress Emma Mackey (Emily, Eiffel) playing the title character.
When’s it out?
Nell Gwynn is expected to arrive in cinemas in 2024 or 2025.
Jessica Swale’s Nell Gwynn book is available on Amazon.
One Life
What’s it about?
An incredible true story of bravery and heroism, One Life stars Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter, Jonathan Pryce, Johnny Flynn, and Romola Garai.
The movie tells the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 children from the Nazis.
When’s it out?
One Life will be released in UK cinemas on 1 January 2024.
The Offing
What’s it about?
Helena Bonham Carter stars in this adaptation of Benjamin Myers’ bestselling novel, set shortly after the end of the World War II in the northeast of England.
When’s it out?
The Offing is expected to arrive later in 2024.
Benjamin Myers’ novel The Offing is available on Amazon.
Peaky Blinders movie
What’s it about?
Following the sixth and final season of the hit BBC television series in 2022, Peaky Blinders returns for an epic cinematic goodbye to wrap up the story of a crime family in Birmingham, England in the early 20th century.
All the main surviving cast from the TV show are expected to reprise their roles.
When’s it out?
The Peaky Blinders movie will arrive in cinemas and on Netflix in 2024 or 2025.
Seize Them!
What’s it about?
Set in Britain in the Dark Ages, Seize Them! stars Aimee Lou Wood (Living) as the egotistical Queen Dagan, who ends up on the run after she’s toppled from the throne by a revolution led by Humble Joan, played by Nicola Coughlan from Bridgerton and Derry Girls.
The historical comedy’s brilliant cast also includes Ghosts star Lolly Adefope, Jessica Hynes (Up the Women), Paul Kaye (After Life), Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead), and comedian James Acaster.
When’s it out?
Seize Them! will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Friday 5 April 2024.
Small Things Like These
What’s it about?
Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy is adapting Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize shortlisted novel set in an Irish town in the mid-1980s, with Emily Watson (Gosford Park) and Ciarán Hinds (Belfast) amongst the cast.
Small Things Like These follows devoted father Bill Furlong (Murphy), who discovers startling secrets being kept by the convent in his town, along with some shocking truths about his own life.
When’s it out?
Small Things Like These is set for release in 2024 or 2025.
Starve Acre
What’s it about?
Matt Smith (The Crown) and Morfydd Clark (Lord of the Rings) star in this British folk horror movie, adapted from Andrew Michael Hurley’s 2019 novel.
Starve Acre follows a couple living on their family’s farm in rural Yorkshire, northern England, whose idyllic life together takes a turn when their son starts behaving strangely.
When’s it out?
Starve Acre will be released in UK cinemas in early 2024.
Andrew Michael Hurley’s Starve Acre novel is available on Amazon.
Timestalker
What’s it about?
Alice Lowe (Prevenge) returns to write, direct and star in this bonkers new historical sci-fi rom-com, featuring Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) and Aneurin Barnard (War & Peace).
Timehopping stars Lowe as Agnes, who falls in love with the wrong man and then gets reincarnated and falls in love with him over and over again, time-hopping through 1680s Western Scotland, Rural England in the 1790s, 1980s Manhattan, and then an apocalyptic 22nd Century.
When’s it out?
Timestalker will be released in UK cinemas later in 2024.
War Magician
What’s it about?
Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) stars as Jasper Maskelyne, a real-life British illusionist who used magic to defeat Erwin Rommel during the Second World War.
War Magician is based on the book by David Fisher, with Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) directing.
When’s it out?
War Magician is expected to arrive in cinemas in 2024 or 2025.
David Fisher’s book is available on Amazon.
White Bird: A Wonder Story
What’s it about?
White Bird: A Wonder Story charts the story of a young Jewish girl hidden away by a boy and his family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
Based on R.J. Palacio’s graphic novel, the movie stars Gillian Anderson (The Crown) as Vivienne, the woman who along with her family must make unimaginable choices.
When’s it out?
White Bird: A Wonder Story has been delayed several times, but is now set for release on 4 October 2024.
R.J. Palacio’s graphic novel White Bird: A Wonder Story is available on Amazon.
Wicked Little Letters
What’s it about?
Olivia Colman reunites with her The Lost Daugher co-star Jessie Buckley in this comedy-drama set in the 1920s.
Based on a true story, Wicked Little Letters follows the inhabitants of a sleepy seaside town as they join together to solve the mystery of who’s sending some rather strongly-worded letters to the local residents!
When’s it out?
Wicked Little Letters will be released on Friday 23 February 2024.
Women in the Castle
What’s it about?
Adapted from Jessica Shattuck’s hit 2017 book, Women in the Castle tells the story of three German women during and after the Second World War.
The trio of main characters – played by Kristin Scott Thomas (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Daisy Ridley (Murder on the Orient Express), and Nina Hoss (My Little Sister) – are widows of conspirators involved in the assassination attempt on Hitler, and each of them must deal with the fallout of her personal life differently.
When’s it out?
Women in the Castle is expected to arrive in cinemas in 2024 or 2025.
Jessica Shattuck’s novel is available on Amazon.
Young Woman and the Sea
What’s it about?
Based on Glenn Stout’s book, Young Woman and the Sea tells the incredible true story of Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926.
Daisy Ridley (Star Wars) leads the cast as Trudy Ederle, alongside Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who), and Stephen Graham (Peaky Blinders).
When’s it out?
Young Woman and the Sea will premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2024.
Glenn Stout’s book Young Woman and the Sea is available on Amazon.
Take a look back at our list of last year’s best British period drama movies here!