10 Great Period Pieces to Watch on Netflix

Get your historical TV and movie fix with 10 Great Period Pieces to Watch on Netflix!

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Over the holiday season I got hooked on The Crown, and just couldn’t get enough of it.  Have you seen it?  I loved the story of the Royals and wanted to watch more shows that are based in history.  I love the era of days gone by…the wardrobes, the accents, the plot twists, the class, the romance…all of it.  I’m basically hooked on period pieces right now.  As soon as The Crown was done I was searching for more…I needed more.  So I finished Downton Abbey, then went Mr. Selfridge and then watched A Royal Affair.  Next up…finishing Call the Midwife and Rebellion.  So much to watch, so little time.

So in case you are like me and are hooked on history, here are 10 period pieces that you need to watch on Netflix right now!

Mr. Selfridge is a period piece based in the 1900’s, following the American entrepreneur Harry Selfridge and his department store Selfridges & Co., in London, England.  In a time when women are discovering a new sense of freedom and modernity, Selfridge’s offers a shopping experience unlike anything England has ever seen, all while pushing the boundaries of proper English life.   You will fall in love with all of the characters…I burned through this show in just a couple of weeks.  

A Royal Affair is set in the 18th century and is the true story of the forbidden romance between the royal physician Johann Friedrich Struensee, and Queen Caroline Mathilda.  It’s not only a romance that changed an entire nation, but it is the story of Struensee, a man of enlightenment and idealism, who risks everything by starting a revolution in the pursuit of freedom for the Danish people.  Oh my I really enjoyed this movie…it’s heartbreaking but beautiful.

Downton Abbey is an historical drama set between 1912 and 1925.  I’m sure it needs no introduction, but in case you are one of the few people who haven’t watched it, here’s a quick synopsis.  This drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and its servants in the family’s classic country house in Britain, Downton Abbey.  The story lines are brilliant and rich, as we get to be a part of the intertwined lives of those both above and below the stairs of Downton Abbey.  

The Crown starts in the 1940’s and chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II.  This poignant and well written series begins at the start of the Queen’s early reign of the throne at age 25, after the death of her father, King George VI, and will span to the present day (over 6 seasons).  We get a glimpse into the private life of the Queen as she navigates her marriage, family and the workings of the monarchy.  I found this series SO eye opening and deepened my love of the royals even more than before.  It was so interesting to see the real person behind the Queen.

The Paradise is a series that begins in 1875.  It is the story of Denise, who works in the first English department store, The Paradise, and gets caught up in the charms of the modern world.  Since I liked Mr. Selfridge, I think I’ll like this one too!  I can’t wait to watch it.

The Young Victoria is based on the early life and reign of Queen Victoria, and her marriage to Prince Albert.  Victoria finds herself in a royal power struggle on her 18th birthday as she is about to take the throne.  This movie was also nominated for 3 Academy Awards, and won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Costume Design…this alone makes me want to watch it!

Call the Midwife is set in the 1950’s.  This drama series takes a look at midwifery and family in East End London in the 1950’s.  This drama follows the journey of a new midwife named Jenny, who finds herself amongst an interesting group of midwives who are working out of a convent.  Jenny and the midwives are drawn into the lives and homes of the women and families they work with.  I really love this show…it’s witty, light and a joy to watch.  You will fall in love with the characters.

Rebellion takes place at of the start of the Easter Uprising in 1916, which was a defining moment in Irish and British history, and the birth of modern Ireland.  This period drama follows the lives of three young women who play vital and conflicting roles in the story of Ireland’s independence.  Definitely on my must watch list!

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is set in the 1920’s, and follows detective Phryne Fisher as she fights injustice in streets of Melbourne. Miss Fisher fights crime as part of a larger mission, which is to see Murdoch Foyle, who she believes is responsible for the disappearance of her younger sister, stay behind bars.  I haven’t yet watched this show, but it’s definitely on my list…I love a good period mystery!

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is a Netflix Original just released this January, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Joan Cusak!  This is the story of the life of the three Baudelaire children after they lose their parents in a mysterious fire.  The Baudelaire children are placed into the care of their distant relative Count Olaf who is determined to claim the family fortune for himself. The Baudelaire children set out to elude Olaf and uncover the family secret.  As soon as this show came out my older two kids, who are 13 and 14, devoured all of the episodes and gave it high praise!  It was a bit too scary for my 7 year old, so he’ll watch it when he’s a bit older.  But this is a definite must watch, especially if you enjoyed the books!

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I hope you found some great new shows to watch on Netflix!

Happy Streaming!

Disclosure:  I am part of the Netflix StreamTeam, but as always all thoughts and opinions here are my own…I LOVE Netflix…it’s an addiction…but a good one!