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If you love corsets, castles, and complicated characters, BritBox is basically your period drama paradise. The streaming platform is packed with British series that bring the past to life with impeccable style, rich storytelling, and just the right amount of scandal. Whether you're into high-society drama, wartime romance, or gritty historical tension, here are 10 of the best British period dramas on BritBox worth bingeing.
Scroll to see all the best period dramas you should stream on BritBox for all your yearning needs.
BBC
The Hour
Set in a 1950s BBC newsroom, this drama blends politics, journalism, and a bit of espionage. If you liked Mad Men, this British take has a similar stylish vibe with a Cold War twist. Plus, it stars Dominic West (The Crown, The Wire) and Ben Wishaw (Black Doves), and it features Vanessa Kirby (The Crown, The Fantastic Four)!
Miramax
Brideshead Revisited
Based on Evelyn Waugh’s novel, this 1981 miniseries is a slow-burning, nostalgic portrait of wealth, friendship, and decline between the wars. It’s beautifully shot and emotionally devastating, with an unforgettable performance by Jeremy Irons. This stars Matthew Goode — AKA your Dept. Q fave!
BBC
Upstairs Downstairs
A classic for a reason. This series spans the lives of an upper-class London family and the servants who keep their world running. It dives deep into early 20th-century British society, and fans of Downton will find a lot to love. You'll definitely love Claire Foy's (The Crown) performance in this one!
BBC
The Village
Told from one man’s perspective, this series looks at life in a Derbyshire village through the 1900s. It’s raw and personal, focusing on working-class stories that usually don’t get much screen time in period dramas.
BBC
Cranford
This charming drama brings 1840s rural England to life with humor and heart. It’s all about community and change, highlighting how small moments in a small town can carry deep emotional weight. The killer cast includes Dame Judi Dench (Pride & Prejudice), Imelda Staunton (The Crown), Jodie Whitaker (Doctor Who) — oh, and Tom Hiddleston (Avengers)!
BBC
Downton Abbey
It wouldn’t be a period drama list without Downton Abbey. This Emmy-winning staple captures the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their staff as they navigate social change, love, war, and loss. If you’re looking for sweeping romance and emotional stakes set in early 20th-century England, this is your show. This show features incredible talent from Michelle Dockery (Defending Jacob) to Dame Maggie Smith (Harry Potter)
BBC
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Arguably the most iconic adaptation of Jane Austen’s work, this six-part series stars Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in all his brooding glory. Witty, romantic, and impeccably cast, it’s a comfort watch that holds up decades later.
Focus Features
Suffragette
Though it’s a film, not a series, Suffragette is often found on BritBox and is worth watching. It tells the powerful story of the women’s suffrage movement in early 1900s England, starring Carey Mulligan (Saltburn), Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter), and Meryl Streep (Little Women).
PBS
The Durrells in Corfu
A lighter period piece, The Durrells follows a British widow and her quirky children as they move to Greece in the 1930s. It’s sun-soaked, hilarious, and surprisingly touching—a breath of fresh air if you need a break from the usual gloom and doom. Plus, you may see some familiar faces like Josh O'Connor (Challengers) and Daisy Waterstone (Prime Target).
PBS
The Forsyte Saga
This classic series, based on the novels by John Galsworthy, follows the ups and downs of a wealthy family across generations. It’s packed with drama, romance, and that slow-building tension fans of period shows love.
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