If you love watching period dramas in your spare time, you’ll want to ensure you read this article about the best period dramas on Amazon Prime. You’ll also benefit from our tips on how to find them.
What, exactly, are period dramas? Period dramas are also sometimes called historical dramas. They are movies that are set in a previous time period.
Examples of period dramas include Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. You can find tons more on Amazon Prime. Let’s check out 15 of the best period drama series to binge-watch.
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The French Village
This is a renowned 2009 war drama series that looks at the German occupation of France during the second World War as well as how it affected people living in a small village in Jura.
You’ll love that it’s filled with rich history, suspense, and memorable characters who show you that no one is either good or evil but everyone just wants the best for their families – and sometimes that comes with making bad choices. Bear in mind that the show does have English subtitles.
The Bletchley Circle
If you love period dramas that offer a heavy dose of thrills, you’ll want to check out The Bletchley Circle (2012). This drama features four ordinary women who worked as code-breakers during World War 2.
When one of them discovers an alarming pattern, they become inspired to investigate the unsolved murders of two women. It’s set in post-war London. If you’re a fan of British mystery shows and specifically love Sherlock Holmes, this series is worth a watch, and offers an early hook that will make you want to watch more of it.
David Copperfield
This story of David Copperfield takes us all the way through his charming upbringing despite the many hardships that followed, such as when his mother remarried, so we can see what made him become a novelist.
You’ll love the high-quality writing and famous faces, which include Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Ian McKellen, and Imelda Staunton. The acting is exemplary and you’ll love seeing Daniel Radcliffe as a young David. This series was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
Empress Ki
This 2013 period drama that’s set in China has war, love, betrayal, and female fighting spirit. It features the story of the woman who made her way up in the world of politics.
Born in Korea, she later became an influential empress in China’s Yuan dynasty. Throughout her journey, you can expect various issues to come up, such as those pertaining to politics, one’s loyalty to one’s nation, love, and war. It’s a lavish and dramatic take on the empress’s journey.
Heidi
If you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia, you’ll love this Heidi version (1993) that stars Jane Seymour and Jason Robards. It’s considered to be the definitive version of the story, so it’s a must to watch.
In case you don’t know, the story of Heidi features the adventures of an orphan in the 1800s who is sent to live in the Alps with her grandfather and charms the grumpy man. Be sure to have the Kleenex handy!
Little Dorrit
Released in 2008, this Charles Dickens story is set in 1820s London. When a man by the name of Arthur Clennam comes back to England after having spent time overseas, he finds a young seamstress in his mother’s home. Viewers of this series have raved about Claire Foy’s portrayal of Dorrit, which some have said is spellbinding.
Little Women
If you loved the book by the same name, written by Louisa May Alcott, you’ll want to check out this series. It features the story of four sisters as they move from teenhood to womanhood and learn about life in various ways, such as when it comes to gender roles, loss, sibling rivalry, and first love.
This version stars Dylan Baker, Maya Hawke, and Willa Fitzgerald. You’ll love the charming cast and heartwarming take on a true classic.
Lorna Doone
If you’re looking for action and romance, this period drama from 2000 is a must to try. Set in the late 17th century, it features a character known as John Ridd who witnesses his father being killed by a clan called the Doones and seeks revenge on them, only to discover that an intriguing woman he later falls for is linked to them. What’s great about this is that it has everything in one series: action and romance.
My Mother And Other Strangers
If this title hasn’t piqued your interest yet, its premise definitely will. My Mother and Other Strangers takes us back to the 1940s where a U.S. bomber base in Ireland brings American airmen to a remote farming community.
A culture clash is sure to ensue in this 2017-produced series. It has everything you’ll enjoy in a period drama: there’s history, war, drama, and tear-jerking moments, with a cast that includes Hattie Morahan, Owen, McDonnell, and Aaron Staton, the latter whom you’ll remember from Mad Men.
The Living And The Dead
If you love supernatural TV shows, you’ll be intrigued by this period drama created in 2016 and set in the 1800s. It features Nathan Applebee, a psychologist who inherits a home in an isolated valley where he hopes to start a new chapter in life with his wife.
But then strange things start happening and they make him wonder if he’s being haunted, which is exacerbated by how he’s being personally haunted by the death of his son. Not just filled with horror, this period drama has some wonderful romance and amazing visuals.
To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters
If you’ve ever read any of the literary masterpieces written by the Bronte sisters, you’ll want to learn more of their lives beyond their timeless pages.
Set in the 19th century, To Walk Invisible is an interesting glimpse into the struggles and triumphs they endured as they tried to make a name for themselves in a predominantly male world. It was released in 2017.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
If you want a period drama that’s set in a slightly more modern time, this one’s for you as it’s set in the 1960s in New York. It features the amazing life of a Jewish housewife who decides to become a stand-up comedian.
You’ll laugh at her moody manager and enjoy the beautiful costumes in this series, while feeling inspired to chase your own dreams. This 2017 series was written by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who wrote Gilmour Girls.
Vikings
With incredible scenery and amazing acting, Vikings is a must-see if you’ve always been intrigued by the life of vikings. This series, which began in 2013, is based on the true-life heroic figure, Ragnar Lothbrok, a Danish viking king from the 9th century.
He became a viking legend after raiding England and France. There are tons of battles and fight scenes, but also some romance to enjoy.
Doctor Thorne
If you loved Downton Abbey, you’ll want to check out Doctor Thorne because it comes from the same creator. It was released in 2016 and set in the late 1800s. It’s been adapted from a book by the same name. This series has everything you want in a period drama: scandal, romance, amazing costumes, and high society.
The premise is that Dr. Thorne lives with his niece in the wealthy Gresham family home. He discovers that the family is about to lose their fortune, and there are plans of an arranged marriage involving his niece to save it with which he has to contend.
Mercy Street
Imagine two nurses who are working in the same hospital during the Civil War but they are helping soldiers from different sides. Set in 1862, this is a medical drama that really showcases the horror of war.
It was released in 2016 and filmed on location in Virginia. What’s so interesting about this story is that it’s based on real people and events. It’s also the first American drama to air on PBS in over 10 years.
Related Questions
Why do we love period dramas so much?
One of the fascinating things about period dramas is that even though the characters are living in very different times from ours, and have different clothing from ours, we can relate to their timeless stories.
How can you search for period dramas on Amazon Prime Video?
Once you’ve logged into the Amazon Prime Video app, you can make use of the search bar to type in a name of a period drama that you want to find. You can also search by genre if you’re not sure what you’re looking for.
Conclusion
If you need some heartwarming, action-packed, or spellbinding TV, you’ll need to check out some of the best period dramas on Amazon Prime that we’ve featured in this article.
Get swept away into another time and take a journey with a variety of magnetic characters who will make you laugh and cry, whether you want to head back in time to the 1920s, further into history, or prefer a more modern view on life.