7 best shows like ‘Bridgerton’ to stream right now

Now that “Bridgerton” season 4, part 1 has been out for a while and part 2 (sadly) isn’t here yet, the wait has been a little painful for fans of high society romance, scandal, and swoon‑worthy drama. With the remainder of the season set to return at the end of this month on Netflix, there’s no harm in binge-watching some “Bridgerton”‑esque shows while you tide yourself over.

Whether you’re craving more Regency‑era ballroom drama, lush period costumes, or just juicy love stories with all the feels, there’s plenty out there to scratch that itch. From lavish historical romances to family sagas dripping with tension, these seven shows capture the elegant escapism and emotional highs that made “Bridgerton” such a hit, and will help make the wait for part 2 a little more bearable.

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“The Buccaneers” is best described as a Victoria sponge piled high with strawberries and cream. Rich, indulgent, and undeniably charming, this series might be called guilty pleasure TV, but it’s ultimately much more than that. Apple’s original show features a likable cast, an open-ended storyline the writers can take in any direction in future seasons, and plenty of charm on display especially when it comes to the costumes and glamorous set pieces. Plus, it’s actually based on Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel.

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This period drama follows five young, wealthy American women — Annabel “Nan” St. George (Kristine Froseth), Conchita Closson (Alisha Boe), Mabel Elmsworth (Josie Totah), Lizzy Elmsworth (Aubri Ibrag), and Jinny St. George (Imogen Waterhouse) — as they arrive in 1870s London seeking advantageous marriages and new opportunities within British high society. Encouraged by their families to secure husbands and titles, the group must work through the intricacies of aristocratic life and the rigid social expectations of the era.

Apple TV

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Regular TV watchers have probably heard of “Outlander,” and if it’s been recommended to you multiple times, consider this your sign to start watching. This British‑American historical drama premiered on Starz in 2014, developed by Ronald D. Moore and based on Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling novels. Over the years, it has become one of Starz’s longest‑running shows, spanning eight seasons and earning numerous award nominations, as well as a prequel series that expands its universe. With its popularity and critical acclaim, “Outlander” is definitely a series worth binge-watching.

The story begins when Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a former World War II nurse from 1945, is mysteriously transported back in time to 18th‑century Scotland during a visit to the Highlands. Once there, she’s swept into an unfamiliar world and forms a complicated connection with a young Scottish warrior named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) while navigating life in a tumultuous historical era, the Jacobite period of British history. The show spans multiple continents and decades as Claire and her companions grow accustomed to this world.

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“Downton Abbey” is another historical drama that many viewers are likely familiar with. Created and co‑written by Julian Fellowes, the series aired from 2010 to 2015 and spans six seasons, filmed largely at the real Highclere Castle in Yorkshire, England. Interestingly, the very first episode begins with news of the RMS Titanic sinking in 1912, an event that directly affects the Crawley family’s fortunes and sets the stage for the early episodes, which is an intriguing historical link. The show’s success and style arguably paved the way for later hits like “Bridgerton” and “The Gilded Age.”

Set primarily at a sprawling Yorkshire estate, the show follows the daily lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and the household staff who work for them, beginning in 1912. The narrative captures how events and circumstances affect the estate and its inhabitants, including the implications of key historical moments on the family’s future. With an ensemble cast and detailed period production, the series offers a layered look at the interconnected world of the grand country house and those who live and work there.

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A multi‑Emmy nominated, refreshingly original series, “The Great” only seemed to get better with each season. Fans were hoping it would remain a Hulu staple for years to come, but unfortunately, the “anti-historical” comedy-drama was canceled after its third season concluded in spring 2023. The good news is that season 3 delivers a satisfying conclusion, neatly wrapping up the protagonist Catherine’s story. As a satirical black comedy, the show serves up an absurdist mashup of 18th‑century history, outrageous humor, and sharp performances.

“The Great” follows a fictionalized version of Catherine the Great’s rise to power in 18th‑century Russia. The show begins with Catherine (Elle Fanning) arriving in Russia for an arranged marriage to Emperor Peter III (Nicholas Hoult), only to find herself in an unpredictable and extravagant royal court. Over the course of the series, Catherine tries to understand palace life, court politics, and personal relationships as she seeks to change her circumstances and advance her standing in the world.

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If you’re looking for a show that’s a bit spicier and darker, you’ll want to stream “Reign.” This drama has plenty of stunning period costume production with sweeping sets and dramatic character portrayals set against a stylized version of 16th‑century European courts. It strikes a perfect balance between taking itself seriously and not taking itself seriously at all. It may not have the grit of “Game of Thrones” or the strict historical accuracy of a documentary, but it delivers plenty of entertainment.

“Reign” follows the early life of Mary Stuart (Adelaide Kane), the young woman destined to become Mary, Queen of Scots. Sent to the French court as a teenager to secure a political alliance through her arranged engagement to Crown Prince Francis (Toby Regbo), Mary arrives in France with four close friends who serve as her ladies‑in‑waiting. At court she must contend with rival nobles, secret plots, and dangerous forces that threaten her standing and safety. Romantic entanglements with Francis and his half‑brother Bash (Torrance Coombs) complicate her experience as she starts to understand the royal world.

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From “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes, “The Gilded Age” is another lavish period drama packed with powerful families and even more extravagant wardrobes. Set in late-19th-century New York City, it shares a similar social landscape to “The Buccaneers,” but shifts its focus to the rise of America’s new money elite. Like Fellowes’ previous work, it combines glittering high society with a strong upstairs-downstairs dynamic, delving into the lives of the household staff as much as their employers. The HBO series has already been renewed for a fourth, so there’s plenty more drama ahead.

“The Gilded Age” begins when young Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) leaves rural Pennsylvania after her father’s death to live with her wealthy aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon). Across the street, railroad tycoon George Russell (Morgan Spector) and his wife, Bertha (Carrie Coon), move into a lavish mansion with their children. As Marian adjusts to her new life, she crosses paths with her affluent neighbors and members of high society, finding her way through a world of privilege and shifting fortunes in post-Civil War New York.

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“Bridgerton” fans who love affairs, family loyalty, and lush costumery should enjoy “House of Guinness,” a period drama set roughly 50 years after the former series. While it’s a far cry from the pastel-drenched Regency era (this time we’re in Ireland, with characters dressed mostly in black), it delivers plenty of juicy family drama. From Netflix and the creator of “Peaky Blinders” comes a darker historical saga that explores the early days of Guinness’ rise to global dominance. The series ends on a twist, so there’s a chance more seasons are yet to come.

“House of Guinness” is set in 1868 Dublin and New York, the story begins with the death of brewery magnate Sir Benjamin Guinness and the impact of his will on his four adult children: Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Ben (Fionn O’Shea). As they come to terms with their inheritance and responsibilities, the siblings have to face their own personal ambitions, complex relationships, and the future of the world-famous Guinness brewery.

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