Downton Abbey Nobody does period dramas quite like the Brits, and I'd wager if you've gotten this far through the list, you're already well-acquainted with the Grantham family and their staff. The Emmy-winning Downton Abbey tells the story of the inhabitants — above and below stairs — of a stately home in the early 1900s, and is apparently the most successful British costume drama series since the '80s. Watch it on Amazon now. Image Source: Everett Collection