The Ultimate Guide to Must-Watch Shows Similar to Bridgerton

Summary

Shows such as The Tudors and The Spanish Princess, along with Bridgerton, captivate viewers with their exquisite costume design and exciting romantic narratives set in historical times.

Reign and The Gilded Age, among other shows, defy conventions by showcasing diverse casts and visually stunning aesthetics, seamlessly blending history with modern storytelling.

Dickinson and The Crown offer contrasting approaches, using history as a backdrop to delve into social commentary and unravel the captivating world of the British royal family.

Similar to these shows, Bridgerton seamlessly combines the gripping allure of royalty with the captivating visuals of period costumes, and fearlessly adds a touch of passionate romance. Premiering in 2020, Bridgerton follows the closely-knit Bridgerton siblings as they navigate the intricacies of Regency Era society in England. From the very start, the series captivates with its stunning costume designs, bringing history to life while also incorporating elements from Julia Quinn's Bridgerton novels. Skillfully blending humor with its enchanting romance, Bridgerton revolutionizes the period drama genre.

10 The Tudors (2007-2010)

: Bridgerton: Redefining Period Drama with Diversity and Exquisite Costume Designs

The Tudors is available to stream on Prime Video, Fubo TV, Paramount Plus, and Showtime

The life and reign of King Henry VIII have always been an intriguing topic for history enthusiasts, but The Tudors transformed his complex life into a passionate historical romance. Covering Henry VIII's adult years, the series delves into his tumultuous affairs and violent marriages from the perspective of the women involved. With its sensuality and captivating reinterpretation of historical events,The Tudors paved the way for shows like Bridgerton to rise to popularity. The cast of The Tudors boasted a lineup of future stars, including a young Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon, while the production design expertly captured the essence of the era.

9 The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)

The Spanish Princess is available to stream on Starz, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel

8 Reign (2013-2017)

Continuing the story from the previous miniseries, "The White Queen," the Starz exclusive show, "The Spanish Princess," delved into the captivating life of Catherine of Aragon. Taking place during the Tudor era, the series follows Catherine (played by Charlotte Hope) as she embarks on a quest to secure the English throne's heirs. In addition to providing a fresh perspective on this enigmatic historical figure, "The Spanish Princess" also shed light on the living conditions experienced by people of color during that time period. While the series maintained a more realistic approach compared to other shows like "Bridgerton," it still delivered a generous amount of royal drama and possessed a distinctive, visually striking allure.

Reign is available to stream on Prime Video and The CW

7 The Gilded Age (2022)

The CW found great success with other long-running dramas, so it was a natural move for the network to tap into the popularity of historical costume epics with Reign. This captivating series chronicles the life of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane), as she rises to power and navigates the intricate political landscape of the 16th century. Despite the constraints of network TV, Reign managed to deliver a compelling blend of passionate historical romance. Though slightly darker than Bridgerton, the show artfully captures the essence of Mary's reign through its visually striking presentation, leaving history enthusiasts thoroughly satisfied.

The Gilded Age is available to stream on Max

Leaving behind the royal courts of England, the captivating allure of The Gilded Age unfolds an American tale brimming with grandeur, reminiscent of iconic shows like Bridgerton. This distinct period in American history engulfs Marian (Louisa Jacobson) in a captivating social conflict between her family and a wealthy magnate. Mirroring the era with its extravagant portrayal of societal norms, The Gilded Age also touches upon contemporary parallels. With a star-studded cast, HBO's series spares no expense in meticulously recreating the era that lends its name to the show.

6 The Borgias (2011-2013)

The Borgias is available to stream on Showtime, Paramount+, and Fubo TV

5 Dickinson (2019-2021)

: The Borgias, a historical drama set in Renaissance Era Italy, deviates from the common focus on the British royal family and instead sheds light on the influential Borgia family from Spain. Determined to establish their political dominance, the Borgias ingeniously maneuver through the intricacies of power. This enthralling series weaves a tapestry of history, incorporating captivating narratives of political scheming and enhancing them with a touch of embellishment. Renowned as one of the finest historical shows, The Borgias also entices viewers with passionate romance akin to the sensual encounters depicted in Bridgerton.

Dickinson is available to stream on Apple TV+

Even though shows like Bridgerton tend to exaggerate historical events, Dickinson took a different approach by using the true story as a foundation for astute social commentary. Immersed in the 19th century, renowned writer Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld) explores the oppressive society that served as the inspiration for her profound literary works. Through stylization and extravagance, Dickinson reimagines the revered writer for the present day by drawing striking parallels between her era and contemporary times. Whether it involves the introduction of Death (Wiz Khalifa) as a character or showcasing the lasting influence of Dickinson's writing on future authors, the series refuses to be confined by traditional genres, much like Bridgerton's groundbreaking departure.

4 The Crown (2016-Present)

The Crown is available to stream on Netflix

The enduring fascination with the British royals stems from the captivating blend of their tumultuous history and the relatable human aspects that shows like Bridgerton explore. However, The Crown diverged from this formula and adopted a wholly unique approach. This acclaimed series delves into the life of Queen Elizabeth II, impeccably portrayed by Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton, spanning from her coronation to the present day. Seamlessly blending elements of a period piece and a political drama, The Crown captivated audiences with its unvarnished portrayal of the royal family, instantly becoming a resounding success. Spanning several decades, The Crown may lack the sensuality found in Bridgerton, but it more than compensates with its doubled dose of intrigue and behind-the-scenes drama within one of the world's most influential lineages.

3 Harlots (2017-2019)

Harlots is available to stream on Hulu

2 Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)

In contrast to drawing inspiration from a particular historical event, Harlots presents a work of speculative fiction that delves into the vibrant past of London. At the center of the narrative is Margaret Wells (portrayed by Samantha Morton), who operates a brothel to secure a prosperous future for her children. However, her lucrative business faces the threats of a ruthless rival madame intent on shutting it down. With its playful, fast-paced, and energetic approach, Harlots shares similarities with Bridgerton, employing an exaggerated portrayal of the period's style and a stylized storytelling approach. Through its use of camp, the series provides biting commentary on gender issues that feels remarkably relatable to the modern day.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available to stream on Netflix

1 The Great (2020-Present)

- Only Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story has successfully captured the unique essence of the series, despite attempts by other shows like Bridgerton. This spinoff follows Queen Charlotte's journey to the throne, predating the events of Bridgerton. While the show portrays Queen Charlotte's altered history and her challenging marriage to King George III, it remains true to the captivating romance that Bridgerton is known for. Additionally, the inclusion of diverse casting sets this spinoff apart from numerous other period costume dramas on television.

The Great is available to stream on Hulu and The Roku Channel

The Great reimagines the life of Catherine the Great, blending genres and disregarding historical accuracy. Set in the 18th century, the show chronicles Catherine's journey from a provincial royal to becoming Catherine the Great. With a bold and dark sense of humor, The Great captivates viewers with its striking characters and exquisite costumes, rivalling even those of Bridgerton. Amidst the chaos and political drama, the series weaves in elements of romance, ensuring that all types of TV fans will be entertained.