10 Period Dramas Just Like Bridgerton to Watch Ahead of Season 3

1. "The Paradise"

Once upon a time, in the Victorian era, a young country girl named Denise arrived in the bustling city of Newcastle. She took a position in a department store, the first of its kind, called The Paradise. Does that sound like a Cinderella story? Well, hold your horses.

The store was full of intrigue, and Denise quickly learned that retail could be a battlefield. She navigated office politics and customer whims, all while catching the eye of the store's dashing owner, Moray. But when velvet curtains close and gaslights dim, can love truly bloom amidst cash registers and ribbon reels?

2. "Dickensian"

In the cobblestone streets of Victorian London, familiar faces from Charles Dickens' novels met in an epic crossover. Were they lost in the wrong book? No, they were brought together in the world of "Dickensian."

Ebenezer Scrooge, Miss Havisham, and Fagin crossed paths in this imaginative reworking of Dickens' tales. In this series, Inspector Bucket investigates the murder of Jacob Marley, but the drama doesn't stop there. Secrets unravel, romances blossom, and the line between good and evil blurs.

So, when fictional worlds collide, can characters escape their author's fate, or will they follow the inked path to the very end?

3. "Harlots"

London, 1763. A city of vice and virtue, where brothels were as commonplace as churches. At the heart of this world stood Margaret Wells, a madam striving to provide for her daughters.

But can one rise in such a world without making enemies? Rival madam Lydia Quigley aimed to destroy Margaret, triggering a war of secrets, spies, and seduction. As they maneuvered for power, both women faced betrayals, heartbreaks, and ambitions that threatened to consume them.

So, in a world where pleasure and pain are bought and sold, can love and loyalty find a place, or are they mere commodities?

4. "Banished"

In 1788, the British Empire had a novel idea: send convicts to the far-off land of Australia. Was it a fresh start or an unending punishment? "Banished" followed the stories of these exiles, their overseers, and the indigenous population.

With limited resources and harsh conditions, survival became paramount. Tensions flared between convicts and soldiers, and forbidden romances tested loyalties.

As they struggled to establish a new society, the lines between criminal and keeper blurred. So, when civilization is stripped away, can a new order arise, or will old chains bind them forever?

5. "Ripper Street"

In the gloomy back alleys of Whitechapel, the specter of Jack the Ripper loomed large. Were the residents safe? Not quite.

In "Ripper Street," it's 1889, and the infamous murders have ceased, but fear still grips London's East End. Detective Inspector Edmund Reid, a haunted man, must solve cases that tread close to the Ripper's legacy. He, along with his team, navigated the dark underbelly of Victorian society, facing corruption, vice, and secrets that could destroy them.

So, in a world where blood stains cobblestones, can justice shine through, or will the Ripper's shadow forever darken their paths?

6. "The Crimson Field"

In the trenches of World War I, soldiers battled for every inch of ground. But what about those who battled to save lives? "The Crimson Field" followed the lives of volunteer nurses in a field hospital, treating the wounded and trying to find their place amidst chaos.

Can one heal the body while the soul bleeds? As they faced the horrors of war, these women discovered love, loss, and the strength to carry on. Amidst the gunfire and despair, they found moments of hope and resilience. So, in the face of unrelenting carnage, can the human spirit still find a way to soar?

7. "Indian Summers"

In 1932, the British Empire still held sway over India, and the summer retreat of Simla provided a haven for the colonial elite. But was it a paradise or a prison?

"Indian Summers" explored the tensions, romances, and intrigues that simmered beneath the surface. As British officials and Indian citizens navigated a world of cultural clash and political change, they faced choices that would define their lives.

Love crossed boundaries, loyalties were tested, and the fight for independence intensified. So, when the sun sets on an empire, can its shadows ever truly disappear, or will they linger, haunting generations to come?

8. "The White Queen"

In 15th century England, the Wars of the Roses raged between the Houses of York and Lancaster. But was it only men who held the power?

"The White Queen" followed the stories of three women who fought for the throne: Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville. Amidst the blood and betrayal, they maneuvered for their families, their ambitions, and their hearts.

As battles raged and allegiances shifted, these queens played their part in shaping England's fate. So, when the dust of war settles, can the victors truly claim their spoils, or does victory come at too high a price?

9. "The Mill"

In 1830s England, the Industrial Revolution roared, and factories dotted the landscape. But was it progress or exploitation? "The Mill" depicted the lives of workers at Quarry Bank Mill, who labored long hours under harsh conditions. They struggled for fair wages, better treatment, and the right to be heard.

Amidst the din of looms and the fight for rights, they found moments of love, friendship, and hope. In a world of cotton and iron, their stories wove a tapestry of human spirit. So, when the wheels of change turn, can they grind down oppression, or will the old order hold fast?

10. "Versailles"

In 17th century France, young King Louis XIV had a vision: to build the greatest palace the world had ever seen. Was it a dream or an obsession?

"Versailles" followed his journey to create a symbol of absolute power, but it came at a cost. As the palace rose, so did tensions, intrigues, and betrayals within its gilded walls.

Louis navigated the treacherous waters of court politics, love affairs, and the burdens of kingship. So, when ambition meets artifice, can a king truly reign supreme, or will his palace become a golden cage?