Intrigue, secrets and sweeping historical backdrops… These five series imagined by Julian Fellowes immerse you in the heart of past societies.
Julian Fellowes needs little introduction. The British writer and screenwriter is behind some of the most beloved historical series of the past two decades — as evidenced by the global success of Downton Abbey. Since his early work, he has explored the inner workings of upper-class life in the 19th and 20th centuries, always with the same flair for power struggles, impossible romances and lavish settings. A fan of the genre? These five series — some better known than others — will keep you hooked.
The Gilded Age (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKj1cMz3yfI
After a masterpiece like Downton Abbey, expectations were high. Yet with The Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes delivers a drama just as compelling.
Developed over nearly a decade, the series transports viewers to late 19th-century New York, a time of profound transformation marked by the rise of modern capitalism.
The story centres on the clash between old aristocratic families and the newly wealthy, in a city undergoing rapid change. Led by a remarkable cast — including Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski — the fourth season is eagerly awaited by fans.
The English Game (2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBOlhdSYhv8
With The English Game, Julian Fellowes steps away from aristocratic drawing rooms to explore another chapter of British history: the birth of football. Set in 1870s England, at a time when the sport was still reserved for the elite, the series follows two players from very different backgrounds whose meeting will challenge the established order.
Through their story, the series traces the gradual opening of football to the working classes, while shedding light on the social tensions and transformations of the era.
Belgravia (2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZnK9W_mKK4
In Belgravia, the story begins at a ball held on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, before leaping forward several decades to an affluent district of London. Adapted from Julian Fellowes’ novel, the series follows the Trenchard family and the consequences of a long-buried secret threatening to resurface.
Set against a backdrop of social ambition, this mini-series brings together all the elements that define its creator’s style: class tensions, family secrets and meticulous historical detail, with many scenes filmed in Scotland.
Titanic (2012)
With Titanic, Julian Fellowes turns to one of the most defining events of the 20th century: the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. A century later, this mini-series focuses on the passengers, weaving together multiple perspectives and intersecting storylines. From high society figures to third-class travellers, the tragedy unfolds through the eyes of its characters.
Without aiming to rival the success of the iconic film, the series adopts a more human approach and pays tribute to the victims by incorporating several real-life figures.
Aristocrats (1999)
Less well known than his more recent work, Aristocrats explores 18th-century English aristocracy through the lives of the Lennox sisters, daughters of the Duke of Richmond. Inspired by their true story and Stella Tillyard’s biography, the series follows the remarkable destinies of Caroline, Emily, Louisa and Sarah — the latter of whom nearly became Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.
Political intrigue, romance and personal drama… Aristocrats offers an early glimpse of the style that would later define Julian Fellowes’ success. A gripping series well worth discovering.
Enjoy watching series? These articles should inspire you:
- A fan of Bridgerton and Downton Abbey? This historical series takes you to London in 1909, at the dawn of department stores
- Loved Bridgerton? This historical drama blending romance and intrigue draws inspiration from the extraordinary life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria
- ‘A Bridgerton with a Spanish twist’: This period drama takes us to Madrid in the 1880s through the eyes of a high-society matchmaker