Biography drama drama period piece romance royalty series

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Period pieces

From elaborate costumes to sumptuous storylines and the strong desire to live in a time other than the present —there is so much to love about period dramas. With the push of a button, these TV series and movies act as instant portals into other eras. The only question is: Where do you want to time-travel first? Each of these shows and films explores an era in history, through the lenses of both the upper class and everyday people.

For Tudor buffs, there's a series that ventures into the early days of King Henry VIII 's notorious rule—through the eyes of his first wife. Regency fans have a movie that looks at what life was like for a young Black woman in a wealthy family during that era; then, of course, there's Bridgerton. Many period dramas are based in this era, the time of Shakespeare and the Tudors, or the 18th century, but we've also included a few that take place in the 20th century, too, like a series that chronicles working in a hospital at the turn of the century to a s drama about the dangers of racism.

Some stories come from real-life events, while others are adapted from classic novels or are completely fictional glimpses into life during that particular era. And, fear not, there are quite a few sweeping romances.