Long before "Bridgerton" was all the rage, these underappreciated series were leading the way.
10. "The Buccaneers" (1995) Take a bunch of young American women, ship them to 1870s England, and watch them shake up the stuffy British aristocracy. That's the premise of "The Buccaneers."
These ladies aren't just there for a spot of tea; they're on a mission to find themselves rich husbands. It's a whirlwind of lavish parties, scandalous affairs, and the cutthroat politics of high society. Our favorite lady? Nan, hands down. She falls for a penniless man, much to everyone's horror. Oh, the drama!
9. "Cadfael" (1994-1998) Picture a 12th-century Benedictine monk with a knack for solving crimes. Brother Cadfael isn't your average monk. He's been to the Crusades, loves herbs, and can't resist a good mystery. Set against the backdrop of the English civil war, each episode serves up a fresh crime for Cadfael to solve.
Fun fact: Before joining the monastery, Cadfael was a sailor and a soldier! Quite the resume for a crime-solving monk, right?
8. "To Play the King" (1993) Politics in the 1990s? Please, we've got the British monarchy in the spotlight here. The sequel to "House of Cards," this drama sees the newly crowned King locking horns with the manipulative Prime Minister, Francis Urquhart.
The King's idealism versus Urquhart's cunning makes for some tense power play. And let's not forget Urquhart's famous line, "You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment." Talk about a mic drop!
7. "Aristocrats" (1999) The Lennox sisters are British aristocracy in the 18th century, and their lives are far from dull. You've got Caroline, who gets into a scandalous marriage; Emily, who becomes the Duchess of Leinster; Louisa, involved in a controversial romance; and Sarah, the writer of the family.
Four sisters, four distinct lives, and a tapestry of history that includes political intrigue and personal tragedies. By the way, did you know it's based on a true story?
6. "The House of Eliott" (1991-1994) What's fashion got to do with historical drama? Everything, if you're watching "The House of Eliott." Two sisters, Evie and Beatrice Eliott, navigate 1920s London, setting up their own haute couture fashion house. From humble beginnings to rubbing elbows with London's elite, their journey isn't just about hemlines and fashion shows.
It's about ambition, romance, and sisterhood. Who knew the roaring '20s could be so...well, roaring?
5. "Daniel Deronda" (2002) Oops! We're technically cheating with this one, sneaking into the early 2000s. But c'mon, who could resist a tale from George Eliot? Our man Daniel is conflicted. Raised by an English gentleman, he's drawn to his Jewish heritage and a mysterious woman named Mirah.
Meanwhile, Gwendolen, a feisty gambler, craves independence. Their paths cross, and the plot thickens! Cultures clash and passions flare in this romantic saga.
4. "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" (1996) Anne Brontë doesn't get as much limelight as her sisters, but this drama proves she deserves a spot. Helen Graham, a mysterious woman, moves into Wildfell Hall with her young son.
Who is she? Why is she so secretive? Local farmer Gilbert Markham is keen to find out, and as Helen's past unravels, it's a tale of love, betrayal, and resilience. Helen's struggle against societal norms? Priceless.
3. "Middlemarch" (1994) Welcome to a small town in England. Here in Middlemarch, Dorothea Brooke's dreams are larger than life. She marries an older clergyman, thinking it'll be a life of intellect and purpose. Spoiler: It's not.
Then there's Dr. Lydgate, who has big plans for medical reform. But love and society have other plans. George Eliot's novel comes to life brilliantly, showcasing dreams, desires, and the pesky reality that often gets in the way.
2. "The Peacock Spring" (1996) India in the 1950s is colorful, vibrant, and teeming with life. When Una and her younger sister Hal arrive in New Delhi, they're in for quite the culture shock. Their father's a British diplomat, and his new Eurasian girlfriend is... unexpected. As Una grapples with her mixed feelings, she's introduced to Ravi, a charismatic Indian, and things start to get complicated.
Love, prejudice, and coming-of-age in a country undergoing change? Yep, it's as intense as it sounds.
1. "Poldark" (1996) Before the recent reboot stole hearts worldwide, there was the original "Poldark" of the '90s. Ross Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to find his father dead, his estate in ruins, and his love, Elizabeth, engaged to another. Drowning in despair? Not Ross. He's determined to rebuild his life.
Mines, melodrama, and Cornwall's rugged coast – this one's a historical gem. And Ross? He's the brooding cherry on top.
