Court intrigue, social tensions, family secrets and lavish settings… If Downton Abbey captivated you, these three Spanish dramas set during the Baroque period deserve a place on your watchlist.
The world of Downton Abbey won over millions of viewers with its compelling blend of history, drama and power struggles. While the acclaimed British series is set in the early 20th century, other productions explore much earlier periods with the same depth of storytelling.
One such era is Baroque Spain, which spanned roughly from the late 16th century to the end of the 17th century. Closely associated with Spain's Golden Age, it was shaped by the rule of the Habsburg monarchy, a flourishing of the arts, but also stark social inequality and intense political rivalry. It provides the perfect backdrop for gripping historical dramas. Here are three series well worth discovering—or revisiting.
Águila Roja (2009-2016)
Broadcast on Spain's TVE 1 between 2009 and 2016, Águila Roja became one of Spanish television's biggest hits. The story follows Gonzalo de Montalvo, a respected village schoolmaster who leads a double life. By night, he dons the costume of Águila Roja ('Red Eagle') to fight the injustices plaguing the kingdom.
Set in 17th-century Madrid during the reign of Philip IV, the series combines political conspiracies, court intrigue, romance and a quest for revenge to deliver plenty of dramatic twists. Like Downton Abbey, it also portrays a deeply hierarchical society.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBku4y7IYiA
The Plague (2018)
Premiering on Movistar+ in 2018 and running for two seasons, The Plague offers viewers a darker portrait of Baroque Spain. Created by Alberto Rodríguez and Rafael Cobos, the series is set in 1590s Seville, as the city is devastated by a deadly outbreak of plague.
The story centres on Mateo Núñez, a former printer who is being hunted by the Spanish Inquisition. Returning to Seville to fulfil a promise made to a deceased friend, he soon becomes embroiled in an investigation into a series of mysterious ritual murders. Thanks to its meticulous historical reconstruction, the series creates an immersive and richly atmospheric world. Fans of Downton Abbey will appreciate the way it explores relationships across every level of society, from the wealthy elite to the city's poorest inhabitants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRl6Dy7I8SA
El Capitán Alatriste (2015)
Based on the novels by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, El Capitán Alatriste transports viewers to 17th-century Spain. First broadcast on the Spanish channel Telecinco in 2015, the series follows Diego Alatriste, a veteran of the Eighty Years' War in Flanders who now earns his living as a mercenary in an empire beginning to lose its dominance.
As the story unfolds, duels, religious conflicts and political manoeuvring shape his daily life. Entrusted with protecting the young Íñigo Balboa, Alatriste must navigate a world where honour and survival are often at odds.
Beneath its swashbuckling adventure lies a thoughtful exploration of power and the sweeping changes reshaping an entire society—themes that are sure to resonate with Downton Abbey fans. Alongside its action sequences, the series paints a compelling portrait of a society undergoing profound transformation while wrestling with its own contradictions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L2w-k_4PFw
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