5 must-see British period dramas on Netflix right now
We’ve all had evenings like this…
You spend so long scrolling through Netflix trying to choose what to watch that it’s already time for bed by the time you’ve made a decision!
With so many British period drama series and historical movies to consider, we’ve picked out some of our favourites that are streaming on Netflix at the moment to help you out.
And if you’re looking for more Netflix suggestions, check out Flixboss to browse the latest films, TV shows, and documentaries available on Netflix!
1. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
We begin our list with Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which dropped on Netflix earlier this month and quickly topped their chart in more than 90 countries!
A spin-off from Netflix’s global phenomenon Bridgerton, the six-part prequel series tells the story of the young Queen Charlotte’s rise to power in late 18th century London.
The wonderful Golda Rosheuvel is back as Queen Charlotte for scenes set in 1817, while newcomer India Amarteifio plays the young Charlotte during the 1761 story line. Look out for several other Bridgerton icons and their younger incarnations too!
2. The English Game
If you prefer your period dramas to be a bit more on the traditional side, you can always count on writer Julian Fellowes!
The creator of Downton Abbey launched his first Netflix series in 2020 and The English Game explored how modern football came from a joining together of Etonians and factory workers in 1870s England.
Featuring Kate Phillips from Miss Scarlet and the Duke and Craig Parkinson from Indian Summers, the drama was called “Downton Abbey for boys” by critics.
3. Rebecca
Another Downton Abbey alumni made her Netflix debut in the streaming service’s 2020 adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel Rebecca.
Lady Rose actress Lily James played the new wife of aristocratic widower Maxim de Winter in Ben Wheatley’s movie, which also starred Kristin Scott Thomas (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as Mrs Danvers.
The brilliant Keeley Hawes from The Durrells was also in the cast, alongside Ann Dowd from The Handmaid’s Tale.
4. Peaky Blinders
One of the BBC’s most acclaimed drama hits of the past decade, Peaky Blinders came to end just over a year ago in April 2022 and all six nail-biting seasons are available to watch on Netflix.
The award-winning series followed the Shelby family in Birmingham’s crime world after the First World War and was loosely based on a real urban youth gang of the same name.
There’s hopefully a movie on the way at some point though, so we’ve not seen the last of them just yet!
5. Enola Holmes
Originally best known as Eleven in mega-smash Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown launched a second franchise for Netflix with this movie based on Nancy Springer’s book series about Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister.
The British actress was joined by Henry Cavill (Batman vs Superman) as big brother Sherlock and Helena Bonham Carter as their mother Eudoria Holmes for a smart and funny adventure through Victorian London.
The 2022 sequel is well worth a watch too!