Step into 20th-century England through captivating series that each, in their own way, echo the atmosphere and social shifts of Downton Abbey. Sweeping historical dramas, intertwined destinies and a changing British society: the sense of escape is immediate.
If you’re looking for British period dramas rich in emotion and meticulous reconstruction, these recommendations will satisfy your taste for grand, era-defining sagas.
The Crown: an immersion into the British monarchy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWtnJjn6ng0
With The Crown, you explore 20th-century England through the lens of the royal family. The series chronicles the reign of Elizabeth II, highlighting the tension between duty and private life. Each season is rooted in a precise historical context, from the early Cold War to the social changes of the 1970s. As in Downton Abbey, lavish sets, refined costumes and attention to historical detail enhance the immersion. The often complex relationships between characters echo the family and social dynamics that made the original series so compelling.
Call the Midwife: a social chronicle of working-class London
https://youtu.be/UBVfWSBQ7nk?si=JSGvfaXP2uhDWo3-
A shift in setting with Call the Midwife, which focuses on London’s East End in the 1950s and 1960s. Through the eyes of midwives and nuns, the series explores everyday life in a country undergoing profound transformation. Themes such as poverty, healthcare and women’s rights bring a strong emotional dimension. Like Downton Abbey, it portrays the evolution of British society—this time from the perspective of the working classes, offering a deeply moving and enriching contrast.
Peaky Blinders: an intense historical fresco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcvUGs3xaDM
With Peaky Blinders, early 20th-century England unfolds in a darker, more stylised atmosphere. The series follows the rise of a gangster family in Birmingham after the First World War. Beneath its modern aesthetic and striking soundtrack, it explores themes similar to those in Downton Abbey: power struggles, social divides and the lingering effects of war. The character of Tommy Shelby embodies the contradictions of a changing era, caught between ambition, violence and a search for legitimacy.
Upstairs Downstairs: a parallel view of social classes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPi3StFMRmY
Often considered the spiritual predecessor to Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs offers an immersion into a London household where aristocrats and servants coexist. The series juxtaposes life “upstairs” and “downstairs”, revealing the invisible ties between these two worlds. Set in the early 20th century, it explores major historical upheavals such as the First World War, as well as shifting social attitudes. Its narrative approach, centred on class interactions, will undoubtedly appeal to fans of ensemble storytelling and interwoven plots.
Looking for your next watch? These articles should interest you:
- This historical mini-series by Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, plunges us into the heart of an impossible love story within 19th-century English aristocracy
- A fan of Bridgerton and Downton Abbey? This historical series takes you to London in 1909, at the dawn of department stores
- These 3 historical series produced by Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Bridgerton, are among the best in the genre
