15 Best Shows like Bridgerton You’ll Obsess Over

Bridgerton is hands down one of my favourite Netflix shows. It’s one of the few series that can entertain me instantly. I love a Regency-era show with romance and yearning, and I’m completely obsessed with the characters. The Bridgerton family has each sibling take the focus in a different season, which makes the storytelling and character dynamics so great. I also love the scandal and drama of the ton, with Lady Whistledown at the helm. If you love drama and chaos, this show is so good. First airing in 2020, the series is based on the book series of the same name by Julia Quinn.

If you’re just as in love with the Netflix series as I am, here are 15 shows like Bridgerton you should watch next.

Rundown of Bridgerton – What you need to know

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Created by: Chris Van Dusen
• Seasons: 4 (with additional seasons confirmed)
• Stars: Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley
• Main Themes: Love, marriage, high society, scandal, family, and Regency-era romance
• Where to Watch: Netflix

What is Bridgerton About?

Bridgerton is a popular period drama that aired during lockdown in 2020. This show quickly became a hit due to its romance element and scandal. Lady Whistledown is at the centre of the gossip. Each season sees one Bridgerton family member enter society, fall in love, and get married. It’s a very wholesome show.

Here are shows to watch just like it:

The Gilded Age

• Genre: Period Drama
• Created by: Julian Fellowes
• Seasons: 3 (with another on the way)
• Starring: Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski
• Main Themes: Wealth, power, society, romance, and rivalry
• Where to Watch: HBO Max / NOW (UK)

With only three seasons so far and another on the way, The Gilded Age tops the list as a much-raved-about period drama, much like Bridgerton. It focuses on the lives of high society, but in this instance, it’s not London, but New York in the 1880s. The show follows the Russell family and their lives as they navigate wealth, power, and social status in a rapidly evolving world. There’s never a dull moment, and like Bridgerton, the series is filled with drama, romance, and rivalry. It’s a worthwhile series, praised for its stunning costumes and the performances of lead actors Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Cynthia Nixon, and Christine Baranski.

Downton Abbey

• Genre: Period Drama / Historical Drama
• Created by: Julian Fellowes
• Seasons: 6
• Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jessica Brown Findlay, Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggatt, Brendan Coyle
• Main Themes: Family, class and social change, love and marriage, duty, tradition, ambition, friendship, and the evolving relationship between the aristocracy and their servants in early 20th-century Britain
• Where to Watch: ITVX (UK) / Peacock (US)

Downton Abbey is a show that many people are familiar with. This acclaimed British drama series first aired in 2010 and spans six seasons. It chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century, against the backdrop of major historical events and social change. The series boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, and Joanne Froggatt. What makes Downton Abbey so addictive is its ability to weave together compelling storylines involving love and loss, family tensions, personal struggles, ambition, and friendship. With its rich characters, emotional moments, and captivating drama, it’s the kind of show that’s impossible to look away from.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Created by: Shonda Rhimes
• Seasons: 1 Limited Series
• Starring: India Amarteifio, Corey Mylchreest, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh
• Main Themes: Love, duty, sacrifice, mental health, power, and family
• Where to Watch: Netflix

As a lover of the Bridgerton series, this was a must-watch for me. Queen Charlotte focuses on a young Queen before she ascended to the throne and follows her journey as she meets King George. It’s a story of love and hardship—he fell first, but she fell harder. A romance filled with passion, heartache, and greatness. It is available to watch on Netflix.

Sanditon

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Created by: Andrew Davies
• Seasons: 3
• Starring: Rose Williams, Theo James, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Crystal Clarke
• Main Themes: Romance, social class, ambition, family, self-discovery, and societal expectations
• Where to Watch: ITVX (UK) / PBS Masterpiece (US)

Sanditon is another charming adaptation inspired by the unfinished work of Jane Austen. I really enjoyed how the series combines romance, ambition, and social commentary while showcasing strong and independent female characters. The story follows Charlotte Heywood as she leaves her rural home for the bustling seaside resort of Sanditon, where she is introduced to a world of wealth, opportunity, and complex relationships. The show features plenty of romance, including a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic that keeps you invested. Starring Theo James, the series first aired in 2019 and concluded in 2023.

Poldark

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Developed by: Debbie Horsfield (based on the novels by Winston Graham)
• Seasons: 5
• Starring: Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jack Farthing, Luke Norris, Heida Reed
• Main Themes: Romance, social class, family loyalty, ambition, justice, political and economic struggle, personal resilience, and the conflict between individual desires and societal expectations.
• Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer (UK) / PBS Masterpiece (US)

Ross Poldark is a British Army veteran who travels back home after the American Revolutionary War, only to find his old life completely transformed. His father has died, his estate is in ruins, and the woman he loves is engaged to someone else. Poldark is a five-season historical drama about sacrifice, love, family, and remaining strong through hardships. With romance, period setting, and captivating relationships, the show is definitely worth watching for fans of Bridgerton.

Reign

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Created by: Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie SenGupta
• Seasons: 4
• Starring: Adelaide Kane, Toby Regbo, Megan Follows, Torrance Coombs, Caitlin Stasey, Anna Popplewell
• Main Themes: Love, power, loyalty, friendship, betrayal, family, life in 16th-century Europe
• Where to Watch: Netflix

Reign is a rare gem among period dramas. Originally airing in 2013, the series follows the life of Mary, Queen of Scots as she navigates power and politics in the French court. It also follows her tumultuous relationship with Francis II of France, alongside the challenges of maintaining friendships and securing her position in her world. With romance, scandal, and courtly drama, Reign is an excellent choice for Bridgerton fans.

Belgravia

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Created by: Julian Fellowes
• Seasons: 1 (limited series)
• Stars: Tamsin Greig, Harriet Walter, Philip Glenister, Tom Wilkinson, Alice Eve, Richard Goulding
• Main Themes: Secrets, social class, scandal, family legacy, and high society in 19th-century London
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

Although Belgravia ran for only one season, it made a lasting impression. The series featured a stellar cast, a spectacular storyline, and a captivating tale of romance, ambition, and struggle. Much like Bridgerton follows the lives of the Bridgerton family, Belgravia centers on the Trenchard family and their place within the complicated social hierarchy of 19th-century London. It is based on the novel by Julian Fellowes.

The Buccaneers

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Created by: Katherine Jakeways
• Seasons: 2 (as of 2026)
• Starring: Kristine Froseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag, Imogen Waterhouse, Matthew Broome
• Main Themes: Romance, friendship, social class, feminism, family, identity
• Where to Watch: Apple TV+

This is a great historical drama starring Kristine Froseth and Matthew Broome. The Buccaneers is set in the 1870s during the Gilded Age and follows a group of wealthy young American women who travel to London in search of love, status, and adventure.. The series explores the clash between American independence and traditional British aristocratic society. It’s a must-watch for fans of historical romance.

Victoria

• Genre: Historical Drama / Romance
• Created by: Daisy Goodwin
• Seasons: 3
• Starring: Jenna Coleman, Tom Hughes, Rufus Sewell, Daniela Holtz, Nell Hudson, Catherine Flemming
• Main Themes: Romance, duty, political power, monarchy, family, social class, women’s independence, motherhood, and marriage
• Where to Watch: ITVX (UK) and PBS Masterpiece (US)

Jenna Coleman helms Victoria. Gosh, this series is so addictive as we follow Victoria’s life after she ascends to the British throne at just 18 years old. From her intense friendship and infatuation with her favourite advisor Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell), to her courtship and early marriage to Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) of Germany, the series explores some of the most fascinating chapters of her life. It also follows the birth of their first child, Victoria, Princess Royal. This is a series you won’t get bored watching.

The Empress

• Genre: Historical Drama / Romance
• Created by: Katharina Eyssen
• Seasons: 3 (the third and final season has been announced)
• Starring: Devrim Lingnau, Philip Froissant, Melika Foroutan, Johannes Nussbaum, Jördis Triebel, Almila Bagriacik
• Main Themes: Romance, duty, political power, monarchy, family expectations, social class, women’s independence, identity, sacrifice, navigating power, public scrutiny, motherhood
• Where to Watch: Netflix

The Empress is a drama series that chronicles the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. It tells the story of a whirlwind romance between two young people as it follows Elisabeth’s life after she falls in love with and marries Emperor Franz Joseph. It is set in the Austrian court, where viewers are given a glimpse into the challenges of royal life. This series is one to watch, with it blending romance, politics, stunning visual and performances.

Outlander

• Genre: Historical Drama / Romance / Fantasy
• Created by: Ronald D. Moore
• Seasons: 8
• Stars: Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin
• Main Themes: Time travel, love, war, loyalty, survival, history, and fate
• Where to Watch: Starz (US) / Netflix (selected regions)

A beloved drama, Outlander, is adapted into a TV series following the popularity of the books by Diana Gabaldon. Set in Scotland, it follows the love story between the handsome Jamie Fraser and the beautiful Claire Randall Fraser, after Claire is mysteriously transported from 1945 back to the rugged and dangerous Scottish Highlands of 1743. It’s a really good series with romance, adventure, and fantasy.

Dickinson

• Genre: Historical Comedy-Drama / Romance
• Created by: Alena Smith
• Seasons: 3
• Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Toby Huss, Jane Krakowski, Ella Hunt, Adrian Enscoe, Anna Baryshnikov
• Main Themes: Creativity, identity, love, family expectations, women’s independence, self-expression, ambition, social norms, mortality, and freedom
• Where to Watch: Apple TV+

Dickinson is about a woman named Emily Dickinson. In this funny and, modern coming-of-age story, we follow her as she pursues her passion for poetry. But Emily also challenges societal expectations, navigates love and family conflicts. The series is full of humor and drama that you won’t want to miss. It stars Hailee Steinfeld in the main role.

North & South

• Genre: Period Drama / Romance
• Based on: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
• Stars: Daniela Denby-Ashe, Richard Armitage, Sinéad Cusack, Tim Pigott-Smith
• Episodes: 4
• Main Themes: Class conflict, industrialisation, romance, social change, and moral values in Victorian England
• Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer (UK) / PBS Masterpiece (US)

Airing in 2004, this underrated British period drama is a must-watch for fans of Bridgerton. Set during the Industrial Revolution in Victorian England, the series explores social classes, wealth and power. The series has a slow-burn romance between Margaret Hale, who hails from rom the South, and John Thornton, a mill owner from the North.

Harlots

• Genre: Period Drama / Drama
• Created by: Moira Buffini and Alison Newman
• Seasons: 3
• Stars: Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Eloise Smyth
• Main Themes: Power, survival, family, sex work, class, and rivalry in 18th-century London
• Where to Watch: Hulu (US) / ITVX (UK)

Harlots is set in 18th-century London and follows the lives of women working in the city’s thriving sex trade. The series centers on Margaret Wells, a brothel owner determined to secure a better future for her daughters while competing with a powerful rival madam in a world shaped by wealth, status, and survival. Harlots is a gripping drama with strong romance element.

Versailles

• Genre: Historical Drama / Political Drama
• Created by: Simon Mirren and David Wolstencroft
• Seasons: 3
• Stars: George Blagden, Alexander Vlahos, Tygh Runyan, Stuart Bowman
• Main Themes: Power, politics, monarchy, ambition, and court intrigue in the reign of Louis XIV
• Where to Watch: BBC

This fan-favourite historical drama stars the likes of Alexander Vlahos and George Blagden. Set in 1667, the series follows the reign of Louis XIV as he embarks on the ambitious construction of the magnificent Palace of Versailles. It’s a series that focuses on love and betrayal. You won’t be bored watching Versailles.