Period dramas are delightful, presenting the joys and gloom of bygone eras in captivating ways. Beautiful gowns? Newsboy caps? Ballrooms? These productions always remind us that people from the past had a better fashion sense and a better eye for architecture and interior décor than us. At the same time, we sympathize with the characters because life back then was more dangerous and unpredictable.
Whether they capture the dark or glittering side of history, period drama shows are guaranteed to fascinate. Thankfully, Netflix has plenty of series for those yearning for escapism. Some are well-known works, produced by the streaming giant, while others were made elsewhere but are now available to watch on the platform. Whether you are looking for a story from several centuries ago or one from more recent decades, there’s something for you.
Here are the best period dramas currently streaming on Netflix.
‘Barbarians’ (2020)
Barbarians covers the events leading up to the iconic Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD where Germanic tribes obliterated three Roman legions. At the center of the proceedings is Arminius (Laurence Rupp), a Germanic prince who grew up in Roman aristocracy. Now a Roman officer, he is torn between loyalty to the empire and his tribe.
A Detailed Look Into a Little-Known Battle
Tired of hearing Romans speaking English? Watch Barbarians, a very underrated show about Ancient Rome. Here, the characters speak Latin, as was the case in history. Beyond that, costumes and props are magnificently handled, while the weapons all match what the history books describe. Laurence Rupp is also incredible. You’ll wonder why Hollywood hasn’t embraced him yet.
‘The Empress’ (2022 – Present)
Chronicling the surprising romance and subsequent marriage between the rebellious 16-year-old Bavarian Duchess Elisabeth “Sisi” von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau) and Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria (Philip Froissant), The Empress follows Sisi as she attempts to navigate the complexities of the Viennese court politics while also dealing with the scheming family of her new husband, including her cunning mother-in-law Archduchess Sophie and power hungry brother-in-law Maximilian.
An Immersive Exploration of the Life of an Empress
The Empress is a must-see for fans of fellow juicy dramas like Bridgerton and The Crown, as the riveting series not only details the profound love story between Sisi and Franz but also chronicles how the spirited heroine fought for her place at court amidst an intense power struggle within the family. With 12 episodes waiting to be binged and a third and final season in the works, The Empress is sure to captivate you with Lingnau’s performance and its riveting look at the legacy of the royal couple and how they helped transform modern European history.
‘House of Guinness’ (2025)
Chronicling the aftermath of the death of trailblazing brewer Benjamin Guinness and how his four children fought to take control of his massive empire, House of Guinness follows Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Benjamin as they deal with the fallout of the patriarch’s passing and his cunning will, as the fate of the Guinness brewery hangs in balance. The engrossing eight-episode series takes place in 19th-century Ireland and explores how the siblings clashed after the reading of Benjamin’s will and plotted to oversee the family business.
A Family’s Dynasty Is Explored
Featuring the talents of stars like Louis Partridge (Enola Holmes), Anthony Boyle (Masters of the Air), and Emil Fairn (Saturday Night), the drama was created by Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, and its premise was actually conceptualized by the great-great-great-granddaughter of Benjamin, heiress Ivana Lowell. Favorably compared to popular shows like Succession and Downton Abbey, House of Guinness currently has a stellar 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and impressively explores family dynamics while providing a detailed look at the brewery’s history.
‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ (2024)
Based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Nobel-winning author Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the multi-generational tale of the Buendía family, whose ambitious patriarch, José Arcadio Buendía, founded the prosperous town of Macondo. The show also covers various major events in Colombian history.
Love and Family Life in Latin America
Many people might still not be aware of how brilliant a storyteller Gabriel García Márquez was. This show exemplifies his talent for narrating compelling human tales that address important social topics — in this case, colonialism and marriage. Everyone is excellent in their role, with Diego Vásquez standing out as the rough-edged José Arcadio Buendía. The dialogue in One Hundred Years of Solitude is wonderful too, so be assured that you’ll love everything you see and hear, whether you’ve read the book or not.
‘The Last Kingdom’ (2018 – 2022)
Based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories, The Last Kingdom takes us to 9th and 10th-century England where Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon) is torn between his Saxon heritage and his current Viking life. Which side will he stick to? The Viking invaders or the Saxon resistance?
Protecting the Homeland
The Last Kingdom has been compared to Vikings, but it has its own flair. The appeal of either show also depends on which side of the conflict you prefer. This particular one handles its affairs from the perspective of the Saxons. The action sequences will stick to the mind, and the costumes will leave you wondering whether anyone ever took a shower in this era. Most importantly, the machinations make sense.
‘Cable Girls’ (2017 – 2020)
Cable Girls concerns the personal and professional lives of three Spanish women working for a telecommunications company in Madrid in the late’20s. Each of them has dark secrets that they’d rather keep to themselves, but the challenges and pressures they face every day make it hard for them to keep everything together.
The Chaotic ’20s
The 1920s were challenging years for women in Spain, and the show captures all the frustrations perfectly. For example, suffrage wasn’t enforced. Divorce was illegal too, so some women are trapped in toxic marriages. Worry not, Cable Girls isn’t too preachy. There’s the usual soapy type of fun. Betrayals? Infidelity? Crime? It’s all there, and the actors never seem to tire. Keep an eye on Ana Polvorosa, who received numerous award nominations for her performance.
‘The Leopard’ (2025)
The Italian historical series The Leopard centers on the aristocratic family, the Corberas, and Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina (Kim Rossi Stuart), as they find themselves struggling to navigate Sicily’s rapidly changing social climate during the Risorgimento in 1860. The drama’s six episodes delve into the major changes in Sicilian culture and society that took place throughout the political movement and is based on the acclaimed Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa novel of the same name.
The Battle of Tradition vs. Progress
With stunning cinematography, an intricate set design, and a sharp screenplay, The Leopard winningly chronicles the intense struggle between tradition and progress as Fabrizio finds himself having to choose between preserving his family’s legacy or embracing change during the revolution. The Times wrote in their glowing review: “The series can feel like an exquisite Italian cake, created to perfection, a thing of beauty to behold and indeed devour.”
‘Black Sails’ (2014 – 2017)
Fans of swashbuckling tales of adventure and literary adaptation need not look further than the riveting series Black Sails, which serves as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s literary classic Treasure Island and takes place in 18th century New Providence Island where the fearless Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his band of pirates bring a new crew member into the fold in the form of the young, silver-tongued sailor “Long” John Silver (Luke Arnold).
Black Sails excitingly brings Stevenson’s legendary characters to life and epically transports viewers back in time to when pirates ruled the seas and embarked upon daring missions to acquire their fortunes. The series ran for four electrifying seasons and depicted the burgeoning rivalry between Captain Flint and Long John Silver while also showcasing the war between the New Providence pirates and the real-life Captain Woodes Rogers. Black Sails remains a fan-favorite adventure drama that touts captivating characters, thrilling storylines, and plenty of rip-roaring action sequences.
‘Bridgerton’ (2020 – Present)
Bridgerton introduces us to an alternate version of the London Regency era, in which there is racial equality, stemming from George III’s choice to honor his African wife’s heritage. Events center around members of the influential Bridgerton family as they maneuver the social season, where the gentry and the young marriageable nobility and gentry are ushered into society.
As Good as Julia Quinn’s Book Series
As is the case with many Shondaland shows, romance is Bridgerton’s strongest pillar. The courtship is sometimes slow and gentle, defined by awkward moments and hilarious, faltering steps. On other occasions, it’s full of amateur dramatics. No matter the angle, the characters never overplay their predicaments. The tender is magnificently alternated with the absurd, without needing to pack in too many shockers.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)
The Queen’s Gambit is an adaptation of Walter Tevis’s critically acclaimed novel. It tells the story of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphaned chess prodigy in the mid-20th century, as she rises to become a chess champion. Her interest in the sport begins when a janitor at her orphanage introduces her to it. She soon relies on it as a way to battle her addiction to tranquilizers.
Chess Never Looked This Good
The miniseries won 11 Emmys, which isn’t surprising considering its topics and themes. It’s always a joy to overcome any kind of addiction, and it is even better if you become successful in other areas while at it. Beth is totally likable, thanks to her characterization and because of Anya Taylor-Joy’s incredible performance. A good sports/game-themed movie/show also triggers public interest in that particular field, and The Queen’s Gambit did just that.
