Top 10 British Period Drama Series

Taken from the novellas of novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, this five-part BBC series focuses on the village life of a group of single and widowed women in the county of Cheshire. The episodes follow the ladies and their romantic entanglements, their gossip, and their fixation on order, tradition, and propriety, which is an object of pride for some and shame for others. With an all-star cast comprising of acting greats like Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie, and Eileen Atkins, the series’ popularity led to a two-part Christmas special and has won numerous awards for its acting, production design, and even its hairstyling.

This was the adaption of Jane Austen’s famed 1811 novel that modern audiences were waiting for. Set in the late 1700s, the series follows two young sisters (played by Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield) and their experiences with love, passion and heartbreak. Aired in three parts, this version of the classic tale is more sensual than previous adaptations, and while gaining some controversy, the vast majority of audiences and critics loved the new take. Since its debut, the performances, score and screenplay have been praised, while director John Alexander walked away with a Best Television Film Director award at the Shanghai Television Festival.

Thomas Cromwell is a fascinating and controversial character in England’s history, and in the deft hands of Academy Award-winner Mark Rylance, the combination is breathtaking and dynamic. Alongside Damian Lewis as Henry VIII and Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn, Rylance headlines this six-part series which follows the English lawyer and statesman’s rise to power in the dramatic courts of the King, complete with mystery, deception and murder. Although some have blamed the show for an inaccurate portrayal of history, the series was praised for being beautifully filmed and well-acted, and currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

With an emphasis on historical accuracy and a proposed slate of ten one-hour episodes per season for 6 seasons, it’s hard to believe that this series, which was created for Netflix, would gain any following. But gain a barrage of worthy followers it has, garnering untold awards and universal acclaim for its elaborate sets, masterful cinematography, and its forceful performances. Starring Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in a biographical account of the royal’s life, joys and sorrows through the decades of her reign, we can’t wait to see what creator and writer Peter Morgan (the writer behind “The Queen”) has in store for us.

Based on the life of American Harry Gordon Selfridge, who came to London and started a successful department store, the series stars actor Jeremy Piven as the gaudy and visionary dreamer himself, the coiner of the phrase “The customer is always right.” Critics have praised the plot tension and the meticulous attention to detail of the show’s costume and set designers, which contributes greatly to the appeal of the show. Noteworthy acclaim has also gone to the show’s performers, including actresses’ Zoe Tapper and Aisling Loftus, who many feel are the heart of the show.

There’s nothing like a good gang story, and the thrills and suspense don’t get any better than in this crime drama based on a real-life group of criminals from Birmingham. Set shortly after the events of World War I, this gangster epic stars Irish actor Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, a violent crime boss, and acting veteran Sam Neill, a detective assigned to take the criminals down. The show has accumulated a lot of commendation for its writing, performances, and style, and has even attracted attention from big name directors, writers, and musicians, several of whom have collaborated on the show, such as the late David Bowie.

Sure, we know that Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel has been adapted too many times to be counted, but we feel that this 2006 miniseries, released in four episodes, contains all the hallmarks of a classic. Starting with Ruth Wilson’s spellbinding portrayal as the orphaned Jane Eyre and Toby Stephens as the masculine, yet vulnerable, Edward Fairfax Rochester, this miniseries manages to stay almost completely faithful to the novel and enhances it without resorting to any superfluous subject matter. The result is an incredible series which has been recognized repeatedly for its visual excellence, having won awards for art direction, costumes and hairstyling.

As the winner of the BBC’s annual poll for Best Drama in 2004, and with wins for Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe as Best Actor and Actress respectively, this four-part drama certainly does a fantastic job of capturing the clash between class, gender, and upbringing in the mid-19th century. The programme showcases a family’s struggles as newcomers to an industrial town and the prejudice they experience, particularly through the eyes of young Margaret Hale. Another show adapted from the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell, this serial proved to be so popular that the show’s website crashed from the amount of visitors shortly after its debut.

Probably one of the best-known British period television dramas of the twentieth century, this adaptation received heaps of praise for its performances, witty screenplay, and faithfulness to Jane Austen’s beloved story. Featuring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, the show triggered a renewed interest in British period pieces and even inspired the Bridget Jones novels and films. With much attention given to the music, choreography, costumes, makeup and in particular the cast, the result is a six-part series brimming with humour, social commentary, and romance.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Call the Midwife” (2012-)

"Lark Rise to Candleford" (2008-11)

"Poldark" (2015-)

Was there every any doubt? One film website calls it “a chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early 20th Century.” While a decent summarization, a simple plot summary cannot fully encapsulate the full spectacle of this show. It has sucked in the young and old, receiving worldwide acclaim from critics and awards from the Golden Globes, the Guinness World Records and the Primetime Emmys (to name a few). By the third season, in what would prove to be a six-season show, “Downton Abbey” was one of the most watched television drama shows on the globe. If you haven’t yet watched this epic story, this is a must-see.