Hey beautiful friends,
Can we talk about my current obsession? I’ve been completely swept away by the world of historical dramas lately, and I’m not talking about the dry documentaries we used to fall asleep to in high school. I’m talking about the swoony, gorgeously costumed, “pause-the-show-to-admire-that-dress” kind of historical series that make you want to learn ballroom dancing and speak with a British accent.
Whether you’re team Bridgerton or looking for something new to binge while the kids are finally asleep, I’ve found some absolute gems that are streaming right now. These shows have everything we love – strong women who don’t need rescuing (but aren’t opposed to a little romance), costumes that are basically wearable art, and storylines that keep you up way past your bedtime.
Let me be your guide to the best historical romance series that are currently stealing hearts and dominating our watch lists.
The Crown Jewels: Netflix’s Must-Watch Collection
Bridgerton (Netflix) Let’s start with the obvious queen of historical romance. This behind-the-scenes look at the British royal family becomes more and more fascinating as it covers the 21st century, before its stunning series finale celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth’s legacy. If you somehow haven’t fallen into the Bridgerton rabbit hole yet, this Shonda Rhimes masterpiece follows the romantic adventures of the Bridgerton family in Regency-era England. Think Gossip Girl meets Jane Austen, with more steamy scenes and diverse casting that makes the whole thing feel fresh and modern.
The costumes alone are worth the watch – every ballgown is a work of art, and don’t even get me started on the jewelry. Season 3 just wrapped up Colin and Penelope’s friends-to-lovers story, and I’m still not over it.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is an American historical romance television limited series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix. The series is a prequel spin-off of the Netflix series Bridgerton. This prequel absolutely stole my heart. Following young Queen Charlotte’s arranged marriage to King George III, it’s got everything – forbidden love, mental health representation, and costume designers Lyn Elizabeth Paolo and Laura Frecon visited museums, silk mills and jewelry houses. They went to Spain, Italy, England and the US to create the most stunning wardrobes you’ve ever seen.
The love story between Charlotte and George is devastating and beautiful, and India Amarteifio is absolutely radiant as young Charlotte. “We ended up making most of the corsets for the background and the tutus and the bum rolls in Torrance, of all places, and had everything shipped over because the amount of volume that we needed to make” – the attention to detail is incredible.
The Empress (Netflix) The German series The Empress has all of those key ingredients in incredibly large quantities. The series, which returned for its second season in late 2024, follows the forbidden love of Emperor Franz and Elisabeth. This German series about Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) and Emperor Franz Joseph is absolutely stunning. The costumes are museum-quality, the love story is epic, and the political intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat.
What I love about this series is how it shows Elisabeth as a real woman struggling with royal expectations while trying to maintain her identity. The second season just dropped, and there’s a third (and final) season coming that I’m already dreading and anticipating in equal measure.
Amazon Prime’s Hidden Gems
My Lady Jane (Amazon Prime) My Lady Jane (titled My Queen Jane on screen for episodes four through six) is a historical fantasy romance television series made for Amazon Prime Video, starring Emily Bader as the titular character. This show broke my heart in the best way possible. It’s a fantasy reimagining of Lady Jane Grey’s story, and The show takes the sordid history of Lady Jane Grey, the “Nine Day Queen,” and changes the narrative to give her the happy ending she deserved.
Are you ready for an epic tale of true love, high adventure, regicidal maniacs, deadpan heroism, devious intrigues, swashbuckling swordfights, a soupçon of magical realism and oodles of yearning, banter and undeniable chemistry? The show has everything – enemies-to-lovers romance, people who can turn into animals (yes, really!), and Emily Bader is absolutely perfect as Jane.
Unfortunately, Amazon canceled it after one season, which is honestly criminal. But it’s still worth watching for the pure joy and the “what if” factor. This is one of my new all-time favorite romances. By the end of the season, Jane, like her real-life namesake, is locked in the Tower of London, and Guilford’s secret is discovered.
More Streaming Treasures Worth Your Time
The Gilded Age (HBO Max) From Julian Fellowes (the creator of Downton Abbey) comes this sumptuous look at late 19th-century New York high society. Set in the 1880s, it follows Marian Brook as she moves in with her aristocratic aunts and gets caught up in the social warfare between old money and new money families. The costumes are absolutely breathtaking – think elaborate ball gowns, intricate beadwork, and the kind of luxury that makes you pause the screen just to admire the details.
Christine Baranski, Audra McDonald, and Cynthia Nixon lead an incredible cast, and the show perfectly captures the opulence and social tensions of America’s Gilded Age. If you loved the class dynamics in Downton Abbey but want an American setting, this is your perfect match.
The Great (Hulu) Elle Fanning stars as Catherine the Great in this satirical, irreverent take on 18th-century Russia. The epic tale of Empress Catherine the Great of Russia gets a cheeky satirical revamp with The Great, an irreverent dramedy created by The Favourite screenwriter, Tony McNamara. It’s sharp, funny, and Catherine is the kind of strong female character we love to root for.
The costumes are elaborate and gorgeous, and the show doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering real emotional moments. If you like your historical drama with a healthy dose of dark comedy, this is your show.
The Crown (Netflix) This behind-the-scenes look at the British royal family becomes more and more fascinating as it covers the 21st century While not exactly a romance in the traditional sense, The Crown’s six seasons chronicling Queen Elizabeth II’s reign are absolutely captivating. The costumes, the performances, and the behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most famous families make it essential viewing.
Cable Girls (Netflix) This Spanish period drama chronicles a group of “cable girls” who become fast and loyal friends at Spain’s first national telephone company Set in 1920s Madrid, this Spanish series follows four women working as telephone operators. If you’re missing the flair of Bridgerton’s fashion, Cable Girls is here to step in with outfit inspo from 1920s Madrid. The friendships, romance, and gorgeous 1920s fashion make this a perfect binge-watch.
Family-Friendly Viewing: Finding Clean Content
I know many of you are looking for shows you can watch with older kids or just prefer content without explicit scenes and language. Here’s my honest breakdown:
Most Family-Friendly Options:
- The Crown (Netflix) – Very minimal language and no explicit content. Perfect for watching with teens who are interested in history.
- Cable Girls (Netflix) – Generally clean with occasional mild language. The romance is sweet rather than steamy.
- Call the Midwife (Netflix) – Deals with mature themes around childbirth but handles everything tastefully. Wonderful for family viewing.
Moderate Content (teens/older viewing):
- The Empress (Netflix) – Some romantic scenes but not overly explicit. Occasional strong language.
- Queen Charlotte (Netflix) – Has some steamy scenes but they’re not graphic. Language is generally mild.
- The Gilded Age (HBO Max) – Very clean content overall, perfect for family viewing. Focuses more on social drama than romance.
Adult Content Warning:
- Bridgerton (Netflix) – Contains explicit romantic scenes and some strong language. Definitely not for family viewing.
- My Lady Jane (Amazon Prime) – Has romantic content and some language, better for mature teens and adults.
- The Great (Hulu) – Contains strong language, sexual content, and violence. Adult viewing only.
- Outlander (Starz) – Very explicit content throughout. Definitely adults only.
Pro Tips for Cleaner Viewing:
- Many smart TVs and streaming services now have content filters or parental controls you can adjust
- Read the content warnings before starting a new series
- Common Sense Media has detailed content breakdowns for most shows
- Some series get steamier as seasons progress, so even if season 1 seems family-friendly, later seasons might not be
Where to Find These Shows
Mr. Sunshine (Netflix) This Korean historical drama set during the Japanese occupation is absolutely epic. The costumes, the cinematography, and the love story will leave you emotionally destroyed in the best way possible.
Outlander (Starz) Based on the series of novels by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander puts you in the shoes of a World War II nurse who happens upon a mythical set of stones that transport her back to 1740s Scotland, where she meets Highlander Jamie Fraser Time travel, Scottish Highlands, and Jamie Fraser’s voice – what more do you need? This series spans continents and centuries, and the romance between Claire and Jamie is legendary.
What Makes These Shows So Addictive
The Costumes Let’s be honest – half the reason we watch these shows is for the fashion. costume designers Lyn Elizabeth Paolo and Laura Frecon visited museums, silk mills and jewelry houses for Queen Charlotte, and it shows. These aren’t just clothes; they’re storytelling devices that help us understand characters and time periods.
Strong Female Characters Every one of these shows features women who refuse to be defined by their circumstances. Whether it’s Jane Grey saving herself, Catherine planning a coup, or Charlotte standing up to the royal court, these women inspire us to be braver in our own lives.
The Romance From enemies-to-lovers to arranged marriages that become true love, these shows hit every romance trope that makes our hearts flutter. The tension, the longing looks, the dramatic declarations of love – it’s all there in gorgeous historical settings.
Finding Time to Watch as a Busy Mom
I know what you’re thinking – “Michelle, when am I supposed to watch all of these when I can barely find time to shower?” Here are my strategies:
Sunday afternoon binges while the family has quiet time or naps. Put on your coziest clothes, make some tea, and escape to another century.
Evening rewards after everyone’s settled. These shows are perfect for unwinding after long days of mom life.
Background watching while doing mindless tasks like folding laundry. Sometimes I’ll rewatch favorite episodes while doing household chores – the gorgeous visuals make even laundry more enjoyable.
The Shows Coming Soon That I’m Excited About
Based on what I’m seeing, we have some amazing historical content coming to streaming platforms in 2025. This list will be updated all winter: it will house all the costume, historical, and period dramas added to Netflix in December 2024, and January and February 2025 New historical dramas are constantly being added, so there’s always something fresh to discover.
Why We Need These Escapist Stories
In our world of car pools and grocery lists, there’s something magical about escaping to worlds where the biggest decision is which ball gown to wear and whether to accept a proposal from a duke. These shows remind us that passion, adventure, and romance are still possible – even if our version looks like holding hands during a Netflix binge rather than dancing in a ballroom.
They also celebrate female strength in different eras, showing us that women have always found ways to be brave, make their own choices, and change their worlds – whether through royal court politics or simply refusing to accept the status quo.
Your Next Binge-Watch
If you’re new to historical romance, I’d start with Bridgerton for the perfect introduction to the genre. If you want something a little different, My Lady Jane offers fantasy elements and humor. For those who like their romance with political intrigue, The Empress is absolutely stunning.
Whatever you choose, make sure you have tissues handy (happy tears and sad tears – these shows will put you through it), and maybe keep Google open to look up the real history behind the stories. Half the fun is learning what actually happened versus what we wish had happened.
The Real Magic
The best part about these historical romances isn’t just the escapism – it’s the reminder that love, friendship, and standing up for what’s right are timeless. Whether it’s 1760s England or 1920s Spain, the human heart wants the same things: connection, purpose, and someone who sees us for who we really are.
These shows celebrate that in the most beautiful, romantic way possible, with gorgeous costumes as a bonus.
What’s on your historical romance watch list? Have you discovered any hidden gems I need to add to my ever-growing queue? I love hearing about new shows to fall in love with, especially ones with amazing costumes and swoon-worthy romance.
Here’s to getting lost in other worlds and finding pieces of ourselves in every strong heroine we meet along the way.
Happy watching, Mish
P.S. If you start any of these shows, please message me so we can discuss! There’s nothing better than having someone to obsess over character development and costume details with.
