British period dramas are becoming more popular during lockdown

The popularity of Bridgerton has led to a steady rise of viewers seeking period dramas on BritBox.

Based on the bestselling novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton premiered on Netflix on Christmas Day, shortly before the UK increased lockdown restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new historical romance drama from the makers of Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy follows eight close-knit siblings in early 1800s England as they look for love and happiness in Regency London high society.

Netflix announced last week that Bridgerton is projected to have been streamed in 63 million households worldwide within its first month.

BritBox is a digital video subscription service from the BBC and ITV offering viewers the biggest collection of British programming, available in the UK and also in the US and Canada.

Since the launch of Netflix’s Bridgerton, viewers have also been flocking to BritBox to watch more period drama series.

BritBox has just revealed that viewing figures the genre have continued to increase, with some titles seeing a six fold increase in viewers from pre-Christmas levels during the first week of January.

Providing a welcome escape from the UK’s third national lockdown, Downton Abbey is currently the most popular period drama available on BritBox.

Downton is joined at the top by Sanditon, The White Queen, Victoria, Belgravia and the 1995 adaption of Pride and Prejudice.

This renewed popularity could be good news for Sanditon fans still hoping for a second season!

BritBox UK’s Managing Director, Will Harrison commented: “Period drama is something that British television does best of all, and we’re thrilled to offer our subscribers some high quality escapism during these difficult days.”

Fans of British period dramas have plenty to look forward to in 2021, with over 50 new TV series on the way this year.

If you want to give BritBox a try, you can sign up for a free trial here!