The first season of Bridgerton [1] swooped onto Netflix and caught our attention with the likes of handsome dukes, luxe gowns [2], and insatiable 19th-century gossip. It'll be a moment before we get a second season of the Shondaland-backed project, so whatever shall we do in the meantime? Unlike the Bridgertons, we're lucky to have streaming technology at the ready. If you burn for a show like Bridgerton [3], you'll be pleased to find plenty of options out there, from swoon-worthy historical dramas [4] to scandalous modern dramas [5]. From The Great to Grey's Anatomy [6], we've rounded up our top picks to watch after catching up with all of Lady Whistledown's scandal sheets. So scroll ahead — you might just find your perfect match like Daphne Bridgerton [7]!
The Great
Yes, Hulu's The Great [8] is a period piece like Bridgerton [9]. Only, it ups the dirty humour by a whole lot, featuring charming, raunchy performances from Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult as Catherine II and Peter III. The title is a reference to Catherine the Great [10], whose wit and power are probably quite impressive to the independent-minded Eloise Bridgerton.
Watch The Great on Hulu. [11]
Gossip Girl
Clearly, Lady Whistledown [12] is Bridgerton [13]'s posh equivalent of a 19th-century Gossip Girl [14], publishing every scandalous thing she finds out about London society. The Josh Schwartz series basically follows a group of wealthy prep school kids in the Upper East Side who find themselves the subject of a mysterious blogger named Gossip Girl [15].
Watch Gossip Girl on Netflix. [16]
Dickinson
Bridgerton [17] explores questions of modern relevance while it's set in the 19th century, showing how women heed and defy social expectations. Using a modern tone, Apple TV+'s Dickinson [18] ponders upon the same questions as it follows the poet Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld) as a teenager.
Watch Dickinson on Apple TV+. [19]
Grey's Anatomy
There's almost nary a doctor in sight in Bridgerton [20], except one who is very wary of hot-headed men foolishly dueling each other. Bridgerton is a Shondaland project, so we still need to pay respects to the OG Shonda Rhimes show — Grey's Anatomy [21]. Bridgerton might not be about doctors, but we get our fair share of romantic drama [22] and hot suitors! Plus, Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen also worked with Rhimes on Grey's!
Watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix. [23]
Downton Abbey
In 1912, the Crawley family reckons with the sinking of the Titanic [24], which kills Lord Grantham's (Hugh Bonneville) presumptive male heir, his cousin James, and his son Patrick. As in Bridgerton [25], family responsibilities and tension heighten in Downton Abbey [26].
Watch Downton Abbey on Peacock. [27]
Harlots
If Bridgerton [28] took its darker and twistier moments and just ran with them, you might get something like Hulu's Harlots. Set in 18th-century London, the drama focuses on brothel owner Margaret Wells (Samantha Morton) as she juggles with raising her daughters in a rough environment while keeping her business afloat when confronted with a rival madam.
Watch Harlots on Hulu. [29]
The Crown
Fast forward roughly a century from Bridgerton [30], and we'll find ourselves tangled up in the events of Netflix's The Crown [31]. Full of absorbing family dynamics and lavish costumes, the expensive (yes, it is one of the most expensive shows [32] to produce) Netflix series spans over the 20th century as it explores the life of Queen Elizabeth II (played by Claire Foy and Olivia Colman).
Watch The Crown on Netflix. [33]
Outlander
Outlander [34] is a steamy period piece based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. In it, Claire (Caitriona Balfe), a married nurse who just served in World War II, gets transported to 1743, where she meets a hot Scottish warrior named Jamie (Sam Heughan). The timelines aren't exactly parallel between Outlander [35] and Bridgerton [36], but you'll get your fix of scandalous romantic drama.
Watch Outlander on Netflix. [37]
Poldark
With as much charisma as the strapping young gentlemen in Bridgerton [38], the handsome Captain Poldark [39] (Aidan Turner) returns to Cornwall after the American Revolution, only to discover that his father has died and that his sweetheart is engaged to someone else. Poldark's swooning romances and absorbing visuals will satiate Bridgerton lovers awaiting a second season.
Watch Poldark on Amazon Prime Video. [40]
Anne With an E
Eloise Bridgerton [41] and Penelope Featherington are practically Anne Shirley and Diana Barry. Based on L.M. Montgomery's classic Anne of Green Gables series, Anne With an E [42] centres on the spunky title character (Amybeth McNulty) as she transitions from the orphanage to the loving home of the Cuthbert siblings.
Watch Anne With an E on Netflix. [43]
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Set in the 1950s, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel [44] is all about the titular character (Rachel Brosnahan) as she pursues a standup career while juggling her family life. Like Bridgerton [45], Maisel is not only colourful and lavish but also full of strong women [46] in its story, too.
Watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime Video. [47]