MomSkoop
Bridgerton swept viewers off their feet with its lavish ballrooms, scandalous romances, and gorgeous costumes. But now that you’ve binged every episode, you might be wondering what to watch next.
Luckily, there’s a treasure trove of period dramas that deliver the same intoxicating blend of passion, elegance, and emotional drama that made Bridgerton so addictive.
1. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Starting with the most obvious choice makes perfect sense.
This prequel explores young Queen Charlotte’s rise to power and her passionate love story with King George.
The series digs deeper into emotional complexity while maintaining all the visual splendor you loved.
What sets this apart is its rawness.
The romance carries higher stakes, the costumes remain breathtaking, and the storytelling feels more mature.
You’ll witness how Charlotte became the formidable queen we met in Bridgerton.
The chemistry between leads India Amarteifio and Corey Mylchreest sizzles off the screen.
Their forbidden love unfolds against royal expectations and personal struggles, creating genuinely heartbreaking moments alongside swoon-worthy scenes.
2. The Great
Hulu’s irreverent take on Catherine the Great throws historical accuracy out the window for something far more entertaining.
Elle Fanning stars as the idealistic German princess who married Russia’s immature Emperor Peter and plotted to overthrow him.
The anachronistic humor lands perfectly.
Sharp dialogue meets steamy romance in this darkly comedic masterpiece.
Nicholas Hoult plays Peter with surprising depth, creating a complicated dynamic that’s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.
Their twisted relationship becomes oddly compelling.
Power games drive every scene, but passion runs underneath it all.
The costumes are stunning, the sets luxurious, and the wit razor-sharp, making this perfect for Bridgerton fans craving something edgier.
3. Sanditon
Jane Austen’s unfinished final novel gets brought to vibrant life in this coastal romance.
Charlotte Heywood arrives at the developing seaside resort of Sanditon and finds herself caught in romantic entanglements that would make any Austen fan swoon.
The energy feels refreshingly modern.
Slow-burn longing defines this series.
Rose Williams delivers a spirited performance as Charlotte, while Theo James smolders as the brooding Sidney Parker.
Their chemistry builds gradually, creating genuinely satisfying payoffs that reward patient viewers.
Beautiful beach settings replace London ballrooms, but the class tensions and romantic complications remain deliciously complex.
The show balances humor with heartache while maintaining that essential Regency-era charm.
4. Outlander
Time travel meets epic romance in this adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s beloved novels.
Claire Randall, a World War II nurse, accidentally travels back to 1743 Scotland and falls desperately in love with Highland warrior Jamie Fraser.
Their relationship spans centuries, literally.
Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan create possibly television’s most intense chemistry.
Their love story unfolds against sweeping Scottish landscapes, political intrigue, and genuine danger.
The emotional depth goes far beyond typical period drama romance.
Fair warning: this show earns its mature rating with explicit content and occasionally brutal violence.
But for viewers seeking passionate storytelling with lush cinematography and complex characters, Outlander delivers everything Bridgerton promised and more.
5. Downton Abbey
Perhaps less steamy than Bridgerton, but equally addictive for different reasons.
This beloved series follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants through early 20th-century England.
Romance certainly exists, but it shares space with compelling family dynamics and social change.
Class drama drives much of the conflict.
Watching upstairs and downstairs worlds collide creates fascinating tension, while multiple romantic storylines keep viewers invested across generations.
The ensemble cast brings depth to every character, major or minor.
Maggie Smith alone makes this worth watching.
Her perfectly timed zingers as the Dowager Countess provide comic relief amid serious themes.
The show balances humor, heartbreak, and historical change beautifully.
6. Poldark
Aidan Turner’s smoldering portrayal of Ross Poldark launched a thousand swooning viewers.
This BBC drama follows the titular character returning from the American Revolutionary War to find his life in ruins.
His estate crumbles, his father’s dead, and his first love married his cousin.
Sweeping Cornish landscapes provide breathtaking backdrops for turbulent love stories.
The love triangle between Ross, Elizabeth, and Demelza creates genuine emotional investment.
Turner’s chemistry with Eleanor Tomlinson (who plays Demelza) practically sets screens on fire.
Beyond romance, the show tackles class struggles, economic hardship, and social justice with surprising depth.
Action scenes, political intrigue, and family drama round out this complete package for period drama enthusiasts.
7. Belgravia
Julian Fellowes (creator of Downton Abbey) crafted this limited series about secrets and scandals in 1840s London.
A chance encounter at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball before Waterloo creates consequences that echo through decades.
Hidden identities and forbidden love drive the mystery.
Restrained tension builds beautifully throughout six episodes.
Rather than explicit passion, Belgravia offers potent romantic chemistry simmering beneath Victorian propriety.
The slow reveals and carefully guarded secrets keep viewers hooked as layers peel back.
Gorgeous costumes and meticulous attention to period detail transport viewers completely.
The performances feel grounded and real despite the melodramatic premise, creating genuinely moving moments alongside shocking revelations about parentage and inheritance.
8. Versailles
Decadence reaches peak levels in this unapologetically sensual series about Louis XIV building his legendary palace.
Political machinations, sexual intrigue, and power plays unfold within those golden halls.
The show embraces its adult content without apology.
George Blagden brings complexity to the Sun King, showing both his brilliance and his cruelty.
Court life becomes a chess game where everyone schemes for advantage.
Alliances shift constantly, keeping viewers guessing about who holds real power.
Visually stunning doesn’t begin to describe it.
Every frame drips with opulence, from costumes to sets to cinematography.
If you loved Bridgerton’s visual feast but want something grittier and more explicit, Versailles delivers spectacularly.
9. The Buccaneers (2023)
Apple TV’s fresh adaptation feels like Bridgerton’s American cousin.
Based on Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel, it follows five American girls storming British high society in the 1870s.
Their outsider status creates perfect fish-out-of-water comedy while exploring real themes about belonging.
Modern sensibilities inform the storytelling without feeling anachronistic.
The diverse cast brings contemporary energy to period settings, much like Bridgerton pioneered.
Romantic entanglements abound, but friendship between the women takes center stage.
Vibrant cinematography and gorgeous locations make every episode visually delightful.
The pacing moves quickly, relationships develop naturally, and the humor lands consistently.
For viewers wanting Bridgerton vibes with a slightly different perspective, this hits perfectly.
10. Harlots
Grittier than typical period fare, this Hulu series focuses on women running competing brothels in 18th-century London.
Margaret Wells and Lydia Quigley battle for survival in a world that exploits women while giving them few options.
The feminist lens adds crucial depth.
Don’t mistake grittiness for joylessness, though.
Passion, ambition, and complex relationships drive every storyline.
These women fight for agency in a society designed to deny them power, creating genuinely compelling drama that goes beyond simple bodice-ripping.
Samantha Morton and Lesley Manville deliver powerhouse performances as the rival madams.
The supporting cast brings humanity to characters society dismissed as disposable.
It’s provocative, thoughtful, and surprisingly romantic despite its harsh setting.
11. Reign
Historical accuracy takes a backseat to pure romantic drama in this CW series about Mary Queen of Scots.
Arriving in France as a teenager to marry Prince Francis, Mary navigates deadly court politics while juggling multiple suitors.
The show prioritizes entertainment over education.
Love triangles multiply faster than you can track them.
Adelaide Kane brings charm to Mary, while Toby Regbo’s Francis creates genuine romantic tension.
The costumes mix period elements with modern fashion in delightfully anachronistic ways.
Think of it as Bridgerton’s younger, more melodramatic sibling.
Plot twists come fast and furious, sometimes defying logic entirely.
But if you want gorgeous people in beautiful costumes making passionate declarations, Reign delivers four seasons of addictive fun.
12. Victoria
Jenna Coleman captures Queen Victoria’s journey from uncertain teenager to confident monarch with grace and depth.
The series begins with her 1837 accession to the throne and follows her romance with Prince Albert, creating one of period drama’s most satisfying love stories.
Emotional grounding sets this apart from flashier period pieces.
Rather than relying on scandal, the show builds genuine character development.
Victoria and Albert’s relationship evolves realistically, facing obstacles that feel earned rather than manufactured.
Tom Hughes brings unexpected complexity to Albert, showing the challenges of being a prince consort.
Their chemistry develops slowly but powerfully.
The production values remain consistently high, with attention to historical detail that enhances rather than overwhelms the storytelling.
13. Gentleman Jack
Suranne Jones commands the screen as Anne Lister, a real-life 19th-century landowner who lived openly as a lesbian in Yorkshire.
Her sharp wit, business acumen, and romantic pursuits create utterly compelling television.
The show breaks the fourth wall brilliantly, with Anne addressing viewers directly.
Bold doesn’t begin to describe Lister’s character.
She wears black, rejects feminine expectations, and pursues women with confidence that would be remarkable in any era.
Her courtship of Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle) unfolds with genuine tenderness and passion.
Based on Lister’s actual coded diaries, the series balances romance with her struggles managing her estate and coal mines.
The historical authenticity adds weight to every scene, making this feel both revolutionary and grounded.