After Downton: Try These Great Period Drama Series

After Downton: Try These Great Period Drama Series

When Downton Abbey, Series 1 finished last spring, I was bereft. To cope, I embarked on a period drama frenzy. These were my favorites. Perhaps they will fill the void for you, too.

Click on the title to go to part 1 if it’s on YouTube, but most are streaming on Netflix as well.

The Forsyte Saga. When you get to the end of series 1, you’ll need to watch series 2. Trust me. A highly charged miniseries that follows the intrigues and scandals of a landed middle class London family, and the one woman who will turn their world upside-down.  Adapted from the novel by John Galsworthy.

North and South. Who knew the Industrial Revolution could provide so much opportunity for intrigue and romance? Basically, this is Pride & Prejudice, but it’s also about LABOR UNIONS. There’s an Elizabeth Bennett named Margaret Hale, and a Mr. Darcy, here called Mr. Thornton, played by Richard Armitrage, and he’s every bit as smoldering, growling, and mesmerizing as Colin Firth.  Adapted from the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell.

South Riding. A fiery young headmistress Sarah Burton brings her modern ideas to the conservative girls’ school in depression-era Yorkshire, sparking conflict — and attraction — with Robert Carne, a stubborn, brooding landowner mired in a troubled past.  Based on the novel by Winifred Holtby. Like North & South, a fascinating example of how a good love story can make a politically-minded novel sing.

The Way We Live Now. This adaptation of the Trollope novel is a satire of the financial scandals of the 1870’s, but it speaks perfectly to our 99% times, too. Again: Romance + Social Commentary = Love Stories that “Matter”

Wives and Daughters.  Adaptation of another Gaskell novel. Note: Gaskell died just before completing the book. She was obviously aiming at a happy ending, and the writer has supplied the lost denouement with surprise and style. 

Bleak House  Gillian Anderson leads this ensemble cast. Charles Dickens’ complex tale of young love, murder, and the quest for a mystery-man’s identity unfolds in this adaptation by screenwriter Andrew Davies. Bleak House features some of the most famous plot twists in literary history, including a case of spontaneous human combustion and an inheritance dispute tied up for generations in the dysfunctional English courts.

Is it bad to admit that at a certain point, I was watching so many of these things that I could recognize recycled dresses and country estates?

Sense and Sensibility 2008  This one’s not on YouTube. You’ve probably seen the 1995 version directed by Ang Lee. But this one’s wonderful, too, esp. because Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) is Edward Ferrars.

What all these have in common is that they’re adaptations, and this, gentle reader, is why Downton Abbey succeeds so well. It is not an adaptation. Downton Abbey is Dallas with corsets and British accents. On the spectrum between “soap opera” and “serious drama,” it falls toward the latter only by virtue of its aristocratic setting.

Most of the series I’ve listed above are based on books of serious literature, which contain romantic subplots along with social commentary, as does Downton Abbey. But Downton, on the other hand, need not have any fidelity to a source text written long ago when narrative was simply a whole lot pokier. Downton Abbey may look like a Merchant Ivory film, but it “reads” as fast as Hunger Games.

That’s why we love it. 

General Writing

19 comments

  1. Nina B says:

    This is WONDERFUL, Cathy! Thanks so much for putting it together. “Bereft” is exactly how I feel . . . and I love the “Dallas with corsets and British accents” point. Yes!

    • Kettie says:

      Larkrise to Candleford has become my favorite! I wish they had continued on with it. Character driven costume drama, it is my one weakness.

        • Sheila Smelko says:

          You MUST watch Lark Rise to Candleford! I just finished a major binge watching this series. Love love loved everything about it! Was very sad to see it end.

          Also, even though it takes place in the 50’s, Call the Midwife is excellent too.

  2. Courtney W-M says:

    I’m happy to see these too, Cathy! We’re not done with Downton yet, but when we are, we need more things to watch. The only one of these I’ve seen is North and South and I loved it.

  3. Bella says:

    Thank you so much for posting! I just finished watching Downton Abbey Season 3, and I am so sad….I am really looking forward to season 4.
    I have fallen in love with the period costumes, excellent banter, and story plots.

  4. Lami says:

    Am a fan of costume period drama’s. Just finished Downton, Lark Rise to Candleford, Upstairs Downstairs and I can’t wait to get started on your list, Thank Cathy

  5. Neil Evans says:

    The problem with viewing adaptions is that there is a risk that it will spoil the experience of reading the book.
    You may find yourself ‘conditioned’ by the adaption to experience the book with the director’s interpretation.
    This may prevent you from fully appreciating the richness of the original.

    • Cathy Day says:

      That’s very true. I don’t think “the book is always better,”just that they are two art forms. You’re right that many people don’t see it that way.

  6. Simi says:

    Big thanks. I have watched ‘ The Forsyte Saga’ , ‘ North & South’ , ‘ Downton Abbey’ and I seriously feel sad and lost without them now. I read your post and I am going to find these now.

  7. Victoria says:

    So pleased to find these comments. I’ve just finished a massive binge with Downton and have watched every episode that’s been released in two week. I’ve also watched Call the Midwife (loved it) and the Australian drama, ‘A place to call home’ (two series and I hope there’s more to come. Happy, happy, happy to find all of these suggestions. 🙂

Comments are closed.