For far too long (like, literal centuries), Jane Austen's work has been one of just a handful of options available for people looking to read and watch period pieces that don't uphold stodgy and excessively patriarchal customs of the past. Fortunately for fans of both feminism and empire-waist dresses, however, recent years have ushered in a surge of empowering retellings of old-fashioned stories—as seen most recently in the Shonda Rhimes-helmed adaptation of Julia Quinn's popular Bridgerton book series, the third season of which just dropped on Netflix.
The series focuses on the high-society Bridgerton siblings and an anonymous gossip columnist who has immense power and influence over Regency society and supports herself financially with this work. Bridgerton is modernized by the sly insertion of classical versions of current pop songs in the background, and by its depiction of Georgian society as far more racially diverse than it probably was (though historians believe there's a good chance Queen Charlotte was Britain's first mixed-race royal).
In short, it's a near-perfect show, and it would be perfectly acceptable if, after racing through the first three seasons, you're wondering what to watch next that will recapture even a little bit of the magic of Bridgerton. We've got you: Here are shows in the same vein as Bridgerton that will tide you over until it's time to return to our beloved London ton.
'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' (2023– )
If you somehow missed all the hype surrounding the first-ever Bridgerton spinoff, congrats, a great watch is in store. The prequel series centers on the franchise's inimitable monarch, going back in time to show how a young Charlotte (played by India Amarteifio) fell in love with King George (Corey Mylchreest) and landed on the throne, though not necessarily in that order. Not only does their epic romance come close to rivaling the original series' pairings, but we also get to know young Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas) and Violet Bridgerton (Connie Jenkins-Greig).
'Gossip Girl' (2007–2012)
In the same way that Clueless is a wholly modernized remake of Jane Austen's Emma, so too is Gossip Girl basically the mid-aughts version of Bridgerton. There's an ensemble cast of characters causing scandals and falling in love, all encircling a core family-like group of friends, and all documented by an anonymous gossipmonger—good luck playing "spot the difference" between the two.
'The Great' (2020–2023)
This sexy, subversive show offers a hilariously outlandish take on the world of 1700s Russia by chronicling the life of Catherine the Great (played by Elle Fanning), whose badassery has long been overshadowed by all those rumors about her—ahem—affinity for horses. Come on: a young woman plotting to kill her bumbling husband (Nicholas Hoult) and overthrow one of the world's strongest governments to promote education and equality across the land? Sign us up.
'Outlander' (2014– )
Like Bridgerton, Outlander is based on a long-running series of historical romance novels. It's similarly modernized, with our heroine Claire Randall infusing her 20th-century viewpoint into the mid-18th-century Jacobite risings, to which she mysteriously time travels at the beginning of the first season. If you're still unconvinced, know that Outlander's eight seasons' of steamy sex scenes give Daphne and Simon's nonstop rendezvous a serious run for their money.
'The Lizzie Bennet Diaries' (2012–2013)
Pride and Prejudice has been remade countless times, but no matter how devoted you are to the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley, you won't be able to resist zooming through all 100 episodes of this incredibly delightful take on the classic tale. It's told through a series of short vlogs from the quirky and headstrong Lizzie Bennet, staying remarkably true to the original text, even though it's set firmly in the present—complete with appearances from entertainment mogul William Darcy and med student Bing Lee, aka Austen's Mr. Bingley.
'Pride and Prejudice' (1995)
If you'd prefer to go the more traditional route with your Pride and Prejudice adaptations, however, the 1995 BBC miniseries is an excellent choice. It delves even deeper into the novel than the 2005 film and, of course, features that unforgettable scene in which Colin Firth dives into a lake fully clothed, promptly initiating a one-man wet T-shirt contest so iconic that Bridgerton's second season snuck in a brief homage.
'Harlots' (2017–2019)
Set just a few years before Bridgerton and in a decidedly different part of London, Harlots follows a brothel owner's (Samantha Morton ) struggles to singlehandedly provide a better life for her daughters. The series places women at the forefront—during a time in which they were all too often shunted to the sidelines—and also takes a very clear-eyed and empowering view of sex work, normalizing and destigmatizing the "oldest profession."
'Gentleman Jack' (2019–2022)
Based on the real diaries of Anne Lister, Gentleman Jack depicts a woman whose life was truly one of a kind in the mid-1800s. Lister was an out lesbian and—gasp!—a landowner who documented her life in millions of words in her diaries, many of which were written in a code based on algebra and Ancient Greek. Be sure to set aside plenty of time to fall into a Wikipedia hole all about Lister (who is portrayed in the series by Suranne Jones) and her diaries after you finish bingeing the show.
'Downton Abbey' (2010–2015)
If you somehow missed the Downton Abbey train when it premiered to near-instant acclaim in 2010, there's no time like the present to dive into the complex world of the upper-crust Crawley family. The series takes place a century later than Bridgerton but is just as jam-packed with society scandals, historical references, and a blunt take on the inherent classism of the British aristocracy.
'Belgravia' (2020)
Another period drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, Belgravia explores the mid-19th century fallout of the reveal of a secret pregnancy 25 years after the fact. It's essentially like a Sliding Doors version of what might have happened to a certain Bridgerton character if she hadn't found a suitable way to cover up her "medical condition."
'Dickinson' (2019–2021)
It's about time somebody fixed Emily Dickinson's reputation as a melancholy recluse. According to this definitely accurate adaptation of the prolific poet's life, she was something of a party animal, with a penchant for getting high on opium and twerking in her corset to Drake and having regular interactions with Death himself, who looks suspiciously like Wiz Khalifa. As we said, very historically accurate—and very similar to Bridgerton in its ultra-modern soundtrack and feminist take on the 19th century.
'Vanity Fair' (2018)
William Makepeace Thackeray's 1848 novel has long been admired for its sharp satirical take on the Regency era. This 2018 miniseries adaptation turns the satire and scandal up even higher, with our heroine Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke) doing whatever it takes (seriously, whatever) to claw her way up the social ladder. It's an outsider's take on the world of Bridgerton and, even better, it features Claudia Jessie, a.k.a. Eloise Bridgerton, as Becky's close friend Amelia.
'Lost in Austen' (2008)
Anyone who's ever wished they could experience the world of Pride and Prejudice will be seething with envy while watching someone else live out their dream in this four-part series, which sees a 21st-century Austen fan (Jemima Rooper) swapping places with Elizabeth Bennet via a mysterious portal. As Amanda does everything she can to keep things following Austen's book, Elizabeth is busy having her viewpoint completely changed by the modern world, with her prescribed marriage to Mr. Darcy (Elliot Cowan) hanging in the balance.
'Ghosts' (2021– )
Okay, so this one doesn't take place in the Regency era or feature any of the courtly intrigues of Bridgerton, but if you're in the mood for a comedy with hints of period drama, it's still worth a watch. Ghosts is what you could call a "reverse period piece:" It takes place in the present when a couple moves into a new home, only to discover it's haunted by ghosts from throughout history. There's a 1990s politician, a witch trial victim, and, yes, multiple ghosts from the early 1800s who offer up plenty of Bridgerton vibes. The show is hilarious and a true delight.
'The Gilded Age' (2022– )
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes took his upstairs-downstairs intrigue and complex female characters across the pond in this new series based in Gilded Age New York. Among the cast of old money and new money socialites battling for power is Christine Baranski's old money curmudgeon, Carrie Coon's new money wife of a rollercoaster tycoon, Louisa Jacobson as a newcomer who doesn't ascribe to snobbish norms, and Denée Benton representing the elite of Black post-Reconstruction New York. New characters, the same social scandals and class commentary.
'Sanditon' (2019–2023)
Jane Austen fans must check out this series based on the author's final unfinished manuscript, which expands on the diverse cast of characters living in the seaside town of Sandition. This series is also much more risqué than the average Austen work; though it doesn't reach Bridgerton levels, the flirting between Rose Williams' Charlotte Heywood and Theo James' Sidney Parker is fun to watch.
'Victoria' (2016–2019)
If you've wanted more scenes of Queen Charlotte navigating royal life, this series follows another British royal, Queen Victoria. The gorgeous historical drama documents her ascension to the throne and marriage struggles with her husband Prince Albert. It's also more historically accurate if you want to see a traditional 19th-century courtship between Victoria and Albert, played by Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes, respectively.
'The Pursuit of Love' (2021)
This miniseries adaptation of Nancy Mitford's 1945 novel shows a struggle between absolute romanticism and absolute pragmatism. Set in England between WWI and WWII, the show follows best friends and cousins Linda (Lily James) and Fanny (Emily Beecham) as their different approaches to love and life take them in separate directions. Come for the coming-of-age story, and stay for Andrew Scott playing an eccentric neighbor.
'The Buccaneers' (2023)
What Jane Austen was for the Regency period, Edith Wharton was for the Gilded Age. Based on Wharton's unfinished final novel of the same name, this series set in the 1870s follows a group of American socialite besties who cross the Atlantic Ocean to find suitable husbands. Here we have all the hallmarks of a modernized period drama: inclusive casting, anachronistic needle drops, and young women who strain against the machinations of polite society (plus the culture shock of the British responding to American ways and vice versa adds an extra layer of fun).
'Reign' (2013–2017)
This period soap from The CW's golden age takes loose inspiration from Mary Queen of Scots' life as the queen regent of France. (And by "loose inspiration," we mean, the main characters are named after real-life figures and historical accuracy begins and ends there.) Upon arrival in the French court, the young Mary (Adelaide Kane) has to balance her strong will and mission to become engaged to Francis (Toby Regbo), heir to the French throne, with her unexpected attraction to Bash (Torrance Coombs), Francis' illegitimate half-brother.
'The Empress' (2022– )
There are countless shows about British royals and aristocracy, but what about all of the epic stories of monarchs throughout the rest of Europe? Set a couple of decades after the Regency era, this German-language drama is based on the early years of Empress Sisi of Austria (Devrim Lingnau), when she became betrothed to Emperor Franz Joseph I (Philip Froissant) at just 16-years-old. Though the pair's steamy romance marks a true love match, Sisi faces plenty of adversity as she struggles against the strict norms of Vienna's court.
'Derry Girls' (2018–2022)
Fans of Bridgerton's own Penelope Featherington, Nicola Coughlan, must check out the period drama that put her on the map before. In this comedy, the Irish star plays a Catholic teen growing up and discovering her sexuality during the tumultuous Troubles of 1990s Northern Ireland. You won't believe how hard this group of girls and their high school misadventures will make you laugh.
'For the People' (2018–2019)
This isn't even a period drama, let alone a Regency-era romance, but it will satisfy anyone desperately missing a certain duke. Before Regé-Jean Page starred in Bridgerton's debut season, he appeared in another 's first Shondaland show: a short-lived legal show about new prosecutors and public defenders navigating federal court. His character's crush on his co-worker lets him flex his romantic lead muscles (as well as his American accent!).
'Crashing' (2016)
Anyone curious about what Anthony Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey was up to pre-Bridgerton should check out this short-lived comedy created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (yes, pre-Fleabag fame). The two future superstars play 20-somethings who move into a decommissioned hospital along with several other strangers, for low rent in London. Even among that wild premise, Bailey stands out as a reckless, unrepentant flirt you can't help but love.
