11 Shows Like Bridgerton When You Need More Regency-Era Romance
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
More from StyleCaster
Is Francesca Bridgerton Autistic? The Showrunner Spoke Out On Her 'Introverted' Nature
Is Francesca Bridgerton Gay? The Theory That Could Change Her Love Interest From The Books
Who Does Benedict Bridgerton End Up With? Fans May Have Found Who's Playing His Wife
Dearest Readers, Part One of the much-anticipated third season of Bridgerton is streaming on Netflix. If you’re like us, you’re already planning on bingeing the first four episodes in one sitting. To satisfy your cravings until Part Two is released, we’ve curated a list of the most regal, scandalous, and steamy shows like Bridgerton to watch now.
The popular Netflix series premiered on December 25, 2020, and is based on author Julia Quinn’s popular novels about the Bridgerton family. The latest third season tells the story of the fourth book in the Bridgerton series, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, which focuses on the friends-to-lovers romance of Colin and Penelope. The first four episodes of Season 2 arrived on May 16, while the final four will debut on June 13.
According to Netflix, Season 3 begins with Penelope ready to give up her longtime crush on Colin. Instead, she has decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will allow her freedom to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown.
“Lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly. Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realize that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder. Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season,” the official synopsis reads.
The description continues, “But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly. Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise, who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.”
From the adored Bridgerton prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which dives into the monarch’s origin story, to beloved period dramas like Downton Abbey and Sanditon, there’s a variety of shows that capture the elegance, romance, and intrigue that Bridgerton fans love. Whether you’re drawn to the opulent costumes, the setting of regency-era London, or the intricate social dynamics, these shows like Bridgerton are sure to whisk you away to another era.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
If you finished Bridgerton and want to watch another series in the Bridger-verse, you must watch the Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story miniseries. The prequel dives into the early days of Queen Charlotte’s reign and her marriage to the mysterious yet charming King George. Charlotte must balance the intricate politics of the court while she falls in love with the King, who is hiding a secret. The film also inspired a prequel novel by Bridgerton author Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes.
Cast: India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Michelle Fairley, Ruth Gemmell, and more.
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Buccaneers (2023)
Like Bridgerton, The Buccaneers is also based on a beloved novel and brings to life the regal glamour of 19th-century London. This AppleTV+ series is set amidst debutante balls, elaborate gowns, and marriage contracts. It tells the story of five young American women who travel to London, some of whom marry into British society, hoping to find the life they couldn’t have back home.
Cast: Kristine Froseth, Alisha Boe, Aubri Ibrag, Josie Totah, and Imogen Waterhouse
Sanditon (2019 – 2023)
Based on Jane Austen’s final and unfinished novel, this period drama is brimming with romance, sex, and scandal. The PBS series introduces Charlotte Heywood, a quick-witted young woman who leaves her quiet rural home to explore the bustling seaside town of Sanditon. Bridgerton’s first season on Netflix reignited the passion for Regency-era dramas, so fans turned to Sanditon, leading PBS to revive it for two more seasons. How incredible is that?
Cast: Theo James, Rose Williams, Crystal Clarke, Kris Marshall, Anna Reid, Jack Fox, Charlotte Spencer, Leo Suter, and more
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Reign (2013 – 2017)
Lovers of historical dramas will enjoy Regin, The CW’s period series about Mary, Queen of Scots, and her journey to power within the French court. While the series leans more into dramatized and fictional narratives than historical accuracy, it offers a thrilling blend of sex, intrigue, and politics across four binge-worthy seasons. Like Bridgerton, the show features opulent period costumes and lavish sets against a royal backdrop. You’ll be hooked until the show’s devastating end.
Cast: Adelaide Kane, Megan Follows, Torrance Coombs, Toby Regbo, Jenessa Grant, Celina Sinden, Caitlin Stasey, Anna Popplewell, and more
Where to Watch: Prime Video
The Tudors (2007 – 2010)
The lust in Bridgerton is no match for the BBC’s The Tudors and Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ sexy portrayal of King Henry VIII. The Showtime drama delves into King’s reign and his six scandalous marriages, exploring the relationships and power struggles that come with life in the royal court.
Cast: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Sam Neill, Callum Blue, Henry Czerny, Natalie Dormer, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Nick Dunning, and more
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Downton Abbey (2010 – 2015)
It’s never too late to dive into the world of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants. Although Downton Abbey is set about a century after Bridgerton, both shows explore British social hierarchies with luxe settings, grand estates, and rich period costumes. Downton Abbey even became a movie in 2019, and its sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era, was released in April 2022.
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Siobhan Finneran, Joanne Froggatt, and more
Where to Watch: Peacock
The Gilded Age (2022 – Present)
Created by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey), HBO’s The Gilded Age shifts the focus from British aristocracy to the elite circles of late-19th-century New York. The story centers on a young woman who moves in with her aristocratic aunts and soon finds herself amid a social clash between them and their new-money neighbors. Against the backdrop of lavish mansions on Fifth Avenue, this period drama has two seasons and a third is on the way.
Cast: Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Denee Benton, Audra McDonald, Taissa Farmiga, and more
Where to Watch: Max
Belgravia (2020)
Another Julian Fellowes series is Belgravia, a Victorian-era drama set in 19th-century London. The narrative centers on the nouveau riche Trenchard family, which finds themselves at odds with the upper classes of Belgravia. Much like Bridgerton, this period drama delves into the scandal and intrigue that permeated this London district two centuries ago. The show’s sequel, Belgravia: The Next Chapter, premiered on January 14, 2024.
Cast: Philip Glenister, Harriet Walter, Tamsin Greig, Saskia Reeves, Paul Ritter, Alice Eve, Richard Goulding, Jack Shalloo, Ella Purnell, Tom Wilkinson, and more.
Where to Watch: Prime Video
The Great (2020 – 2023)
If you appreciate the sharp wit in Bridgerton, you’ll absolutely love Hulu’s The Great. The show takes place in rural Russia during the 18th century and centers on the Russian court of Catherine the Great. With sharp dialogue and quirky characters, The Great is a fun and unique period comedy starring Elle Fanning.
Cast: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Sacha Dhawan, Charity Wakefield, Gwilym Lee, Adam Godley, Douglas Hodge, Belinda Bromilow, Bayo Gbadamosi, and more.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Outlander (2014 – Present)
Starz’s steamy drama Outlander doesn’t leave anything to the imagination. An adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s novels, it centers on Claire Beauchamp, a nurse who travels through time to 18th-century Scotland and falls in love with Scottish hunk Jamie Fraser. “The series spans continents, timelines, and near-danger at every turn, but the fire of Claire and Jamie’s relationship never dims,” according to Netflix’s Tudum.
Cast: Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, Duncan Lacroix, Grant O’Rourke, Stephen Walters, Gary Lewis, Lotte Verbeek, Bill Paterson, and more
Where to Watch: Netflix
Dickinson (2019 – 2021)
We recently watched Dickinson, and if you enjoy poetry, it’s a show you won’t want to miss. The Apple TV+ series is set in Emily Dickinson’s time but is narrated with a relatable, modern twist. It also explores important themes like sexuality, gender roles, and societal expectations. (And to make it even better, Wiz Khalifa portrays Death.)
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Adrian Enscoe, Anna Baryshnikov, Jane Krakowski, Toby Huss, Ella Hunt ·, Chinaza Uche, Sophie Zucker, Darlene Hunt, and more
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Best of StyleCaster
