“Downton Abbey” is still a big part of contemporary television and cultural culture more than ten years after its ITV debut. Following the series conclusion in 2015, the franchise was expanded to include a feature picture in 2019, with a second film now in development. The show’s six initial seasons gained widespread praise and several accolades, including 15 Emmy Awards and 69 overall nominations.
Why “Downton Abbey” has stayed so popular for so long is simple to understand. It is yet intriguing and simple to watch because to its shrewd script, excellent production design, and ensemble cast of brilliant performers. From the Titanic disaster through World War I, the series examines some of the most significant historical occurrences through the prism of British aristocracy and analyses them with tact, seriousness, and knowledge. The show’s large cast of actors, led by outstanding performances from people like Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, and Jim Carter, adds drama and entertainment to each episode and plot arc.
But, in order to fill the gap left by Downton Abbey, we are now seeking even more entertainment.It’s perfectly reasonable if you chose to binge-watch the series once more. Unfortunately for fans, there is only so many times you can watch and replay “Downton Abbey,” and there aren’t many new episodes of the series anymore. But if you’re seeking for period dramas like Downton Abbey with contemporary concerns and likeable characters, stay reading for more. There are many more excellent series that were either created in response to the “Downton” sensation or just feel similar to it, which is wonderful news for individuals who want more “Downton” in their lives. These are some additional outstanding series that “Downton Abbey” viewers should check out next, ranging from British historical dramas to criminal sagas and romantic fantasies.
- The Crown
Rewind to the English family dynamic, but move the timeline of Downton Abbey forward a few years. The Crown is a dramatisation of the present British Royal family. You get immediately interested in their relationship and lifestyle, which continuously conflict with their obligations to the institution. This Netflix original explores some of the historical occurrences that took place throughout each stage of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign while taking place in a new decade in each season. The problematic relationship between the Queen of England (Claire Foy; Olivia Coleman) and Princess Margaret is a tiny similarity between Downton Abbey and this renowned series by Peter Morgan (Vanessa Kirby; Helena Boham Carter). Although it may seem a stretch, seeing them interact may make you think of Mary and Lady Edith (Michelle Dockery) (Laura Carmichael).
- Outlander
The well-liked Starz series “Outlander” is the ideal option if you want a bit fantasy with your historical fiction. The hit television series “Outlander,” based on the best-selling books by Diana Gabaldon, stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who is mysteriously transported to mid-18th-century Scotland and falls in love with a Highlander called Jamie (Sam Heughan).In this decadent Starz mega-hit, Claire Fraser, a time-traveling 1940s nurse, gallops past social standards, gender roles, and three centuries of turbulent European history. Fans of Downton will enjoy the lavish period attire and accurate historical detail, but this time there is no Edwardian propriety. This will also feel like home to Game of Thrones fans as it jolts between unsettling brutality and lush, stunning landscape.
- Poldark
Give Poldark a try if you find Outlander to be too graphic (or if it’s on hiatus; a “Droughtlander” is one of the show’s fervent fans). It’s a gorgeous period piece, like Downton, that aired on Masterpiece PBS, but it also features the romance that Outlander fans adore. After the American War of Independence, soldier Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) is devastated to discover that his father is dead, his estate is in ruins, and his romantic partner is engaged to his cousin. Poldark has it all, including family drama, scandalous affairs, and historical background.
- The Bonfire of Destiny
This French-language performance transports you to Belle Époque Paris and is based on the horrific true story of the Bazar de la Charité fire in 1897, which killed more than 125 people. The abyss of injustice between the aristocracy and those who serve them dwarfs the bustles and hats. The plot follows three women — aristocrat Adrienne de Lenverpré (Audrey Fleurot), her niece Alice de Jeansin (Camille Lou), and the latter’s maid Rose Rivière (Julie de Bona) — as they navigate the disaster’s aftermath and the new world that emerges from the ashes.
- The Queen’s Gambit
Several of the fundamental characteristics of “The Queen’s Gambit” may appear to be completely unconnected to “Downton Abbey” at first look. Cold War politics and middle-class drug addiction seem a million miles apart from the English countryside and World War I. Netflix’s chess saga, on the other hand, is a must-see for fans of well-crafted historical dramas with rich, nuanced character development and amazing production design. Anya Taylor-Joy has an outstanding performance as Beth Harmon, a teenage chess prodigy who dominates the game. Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Moses Ingram, Bill Camp, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster round out the group with similarly superb performances.
- Victoria
If you like your royal history to be a little older, consider watching Victoria. Victoria, a committed and powerful young lady, must demonstrate her ability to rule. Victoria is able to handle all of the difficulties that come her way with the support of Prince Albert (Tom Hughes), who eventually becomes her husband, and her advisor Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell). The Masterpiece PBS series, like The Crown, chronicles a British monarch’s early years on the throne. Downton Abbey lovers will enjoy the stunning costumes as well as the occasionally scandalous plot lines involving Queen Victoria, her family, and the people who work for them. This BBC series is a delight if you’re seeking for the ideal combination of historical events and a true tale of a marriage founded on love and respect.
- Upstairs Downstairs
Upstairs, Downstairs was the original soapy look at life in both the master and servants quarters before Downton Abbey. The 1971 version was so popular that a revival aired in 2012. Both are streamable and well worth your time. “Upstairs Downstairs” on BBC One is a revival (and technically a sequel) to the 1970s ITV drama of the same name. Both series are worth seeing if you appreciate the servant/aristocrat dynamic of “Downton Abbey,” but we’ll focus on the current series here because it doesn’t require a lot of knowledge of its predecessor to enjoy. Anybody who has seen the original Upstairs Downstairs would likely agree that Downton Abbey was influenced by the legendary British drama.
- Grand Hotel
The grand backdrop of the Grand Hotel, shot in the Palacio de la Magdalena on Spain’s north coast, will make Downton Abbey aficionados swoon. Class, culture, and politics weave their way into the story, which centres around young Julio Olmedo’s tenacious search for his missing sister. When Julio (Yon González) goes to see his sister at the Grand Hotel, he discovers that she has been missing for some time. To find out what happened to her, he chooses to work as a butler there; during the day, Julio undertakes an investigation with the aid of the hotel owner’s daughter, Alicia Alarcón (Amaia Salamanca).
