Top 10 Period Dramas, For Peasants
We all love a good trip back in time, but for those of us looking for a new fave, where would we even begin? Let’s give you a little push with these ten recommendations!
By Annette Shadeya
What is it about period dramas? Perhaps it’s the costumes, much grander than our own, or the tropey-spirited woman when all she really does is run… a lot. (I’m looking at you Little Women). It’s cliche, scandalous in the most polite way, and tons of familiar fun.
For the modern peasant (like me) facing crippling inflation, a return to the traditional doesn’t mean a retreat into the archaic. Sometimes the acceptance of crumbling prospects looks like bingeing, hours of people of olde crying their way into a political marriage, and rebellions. Lots of rebellions.
As the season gets cooler, grab a cup of hot chocolate, fire up your TV or laptop and settle for a warm night in with these ten riveting period dramas from around the world.
Godless (US)
Now I love a good Western. And they aren’t many but if you are a Yellowstone fan, hey there! When I first watched this I thought we would be blessed with another season of Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) being a badass, but as the drama gods would have it, it was a miniseries.
Set in 1884 within a town dusted with tragedy, Michelle Dockery plays an outcast living in La Belle, a place where women are its only residents. That is until criminally inclined Roy Goode shows up. Goode is hiding from Frank Griffin’s notorious gang of outlaws but little does he know his little adventure has led the gang straight into La Belle.
But the women, especially Dockery, aren’t going to let another tragedy take their town so easily…
Alias Grace (Canada)
Now, this is a criminally underrated miniseries. From the novelist that brought you The Handmaid’s Tale, comes a visual adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace. I’ll let you know right now that this drama comes with a bunch of trigger warnings (like NSFW scenes, gender discrimination, and violence).
Many shows and novels claim they are psychological thrillers and none even come close, (except Gone Girl, fight me). Set in 1843, the story throws you into the trial of Grace, an Irish immigrant in Canada accused of the grisly double homicide of her employer.
Grace seems… off, so when a psychologist is brought in to analyse her we dive headlong into her world. She is an unreliable narrator or so it seems. I left the show musing on how the world treats poor women, women with mental illnesses, and a painful look at class politics. A necessary and timely piece.
Six Flying Dragons (Korea)
Listen. Like any self-respecting K-Drama fan, I started with the classics — Coffee Prince and watching Lee Min Ho’s hair defy gravity as part of the F4. But when I got into Korean period dramas, my life changed.
Six Flying Dragons tells the story of the formation of the Joseon Empire and the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. Set in the 1300s, this drama has some of the most well-thought-out character arcs from an ensemble cast I had seen.
I wish I could say more but doing so would spoil such an intricately webbed plot that left me speechless. I’ll say this instead, it’s got spies, assassins, and betrayals so good whiplash isn’t the only thing you’ll suffer from.
Shaka iLembe (South Africa)
Unlike any on this list, this show is not yet out. “Huh?” I hear you say. Put down the rocks Mary let me explain. I searched high and wide for an African period drama I liked and came up empty.
A lot of the ones I’ve watched are through the eyes of non-Africans and I don’t think that’s fair. Even the original Shaka Zulu which traumatised me as a child was through the BBC and… the history there is iffy. So when I saw Mnet is on the road to releasing its own version with actors speaking in their own language, and wearing appropriate attire, my heart was full.
Born in 1787, Shaka Zulu was the formidable King of the Zulu in 1816. His military was a true force and by force, I mean a revolutionary force in warfare. Shaka iLembe will follow Shaka’s rise to King through betrayals, court politics, and wars and I for one cannot wait.
The Crown (UK)
Did you really think I would leave this out? Jokes on you because I mean it when I say that this fictional look at one of the most famous royal families in the world is an absolute delicacy.
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Do I want to see Prince Charles and People’s Princess Diana bicker and watch as the Queen braces herself and her family for a rapidly changing world. Uhmmm yes? Is some of the story truly false also yes, but I’m not here for historical accuracy.
The show is currently on season five and I’m right there with them. And to be honest I’m really hoping they go all the way to the Megxit.
Dae Jang Geum (Korea)
Don’t watch this if you’re hungry. Seriously. The impact of this drama is so immense it’s credited with exponentially heightening the Hallyu Wave and credited as one of the top-rated Korean dramas of all time.
I say it has to do with the food and the powerful and restrained acting showcased by the capable Lee Young Ae. Translated in English to Jewel in the Palace, the drama is a deep dive into the real life of the first royal female physician of the Joseon Dynasty.
It’s got all the tropes, rags to riches, court politics, and food. Oh, my good heavens, the food! Grab some Bulgogi before or you might not make it.
The Time in Between (Spain)
This show is as soapy as soapy gets and I loved every minute of it. I love a show that is so serious about the costumes, drama, and stakes. It’s part spy drama, part romance, and part historical.
Based on a 2009 Spanish novel of the same name, The Time in Between is set between 1935–1941 following Sira Quiroga, a pretty seamstress living in poverty in Madrid before the advent of the Spanish Civil war.
After a series of unfortunate events, Sira transforms herself into a glamorous couturier that leading her right into the sights of British intelligence who convince her to become an undercover agent for the allies during World War 2. Adriana Ugarte is so good in this that it sometimes makes me forget she was in the absolutely tone-deaf Palm Trees in the Snow.
Downton Abbey (UK)
Let me tell you now, I started this show and stopped watching it for some pathetic reason. However, I picked it up again during the height of the pandemic and chastised myself for my foolishness.
I know you’ve heard about Downton and if you haven’t started it yet thinking it’s too stuffy, boy, are you wrong. Now that the entire series is complete, I can confidently say this show is easily the most binge-able period drama on this list.
Watching the aristocratic Crawley family and staff battle with the changes of the early 20th century is such an interesting way of letting an audience look within themselves and reflect on all the ways they may be inflexible. All around a 10 out of 10 experience. I will be watching the recently released movie for sure!
Gran Hotel (Spain)
You know something is successful when it has several adaptations. Gran Hotel has a Mexican, Egyptian and American adaptation as a testament to its perfectly soapy success. Don’t watch the American one though, it’s tacky and loses what’s so great about this show in the first place — the historical setting.
Set in 1905, the story seems simple enough. Set in the luxurious Gran Hotel on the Spanish coast of Cantaloa run by the wealthy Alarcon family, working-class Julio Olmedo arrives at the hotel to investigate the sketchy disappearance of his sister.
However, his investigation finds him wading the murky waters of romance, jealousy, betrayal, and crime surrounding the residents and staff of the Gran Hotel. Be forewarned, it’s good but has several episodes. Though you have to stick around — it’s so worth it.
The Terror (UK)
I was going to end this list with something else from Germany but The Terror won out. Many reviewers call this a prestige drama and I cannot argue because my goodness, what a show. Trust, you will never look at the Arctic the same.
Based on the true story of Captain John Franklin’s lost naval crew, The Terror follows their doomed journey to the Arctic in 1845. Fun fact, a few years ago, researchers found out that the men resorted to cannibalism to survive and that is all I’m going to say.
The suspense is so deliciously slow and atmospheric that when everything goes up in flames you’ll realise you went mad along with the rest of the characters. Also that THING!!!??? I will not elaborate further, but I’m woman enough to admit that when that THING appeared I may have screamed.
© 2022 Annette Shadeya
This article was first published on WordPress on 1st December 2022.
