For far too long (like, literal centuries), Jane Austen's body of work has been among just a handful of reprieves to the mostly stodgy, excessively patriarchal period pieces of the era. Fortunately for fans of both feminism and empire-waist dresses, recent years have ushered in a surge of empowering retellings of old-fashioned stories, not only in book form but on TV, as depicted in the Shonda Rhimes-helmed adaptation of Julia Quinn's popular Bridgerton book series.
The series, now in its fourth season, focuses on the highly scandalized private lives of London's high society, with the largely progressive Bridgerton family at its center. While themes like marriage for financial gain and class-driven societal rank still abound, characters like Eloise Bridgerton, an outspoken feminist, and her sexually progressive brother Benedict, who is bisexual, offer viewers a more complex view of life in a bygone era that goes above and beyond the norm. Let us also not forget Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington), a.k.a. Lady Whistledown, who wields immense power and influence over Regency society as the town's foremost gossip columnist and supports herself financially with this work.
In addition to its rich character portrayals, Bridgerton is modernized by the sly insertion of classical versions of current pop songs in the background, and its depiction of Georgian society is far more racially diverse than it probably was (though historians believe there's a good chance Queen Charlotte was Britain's first mixed-race royal).
In short, it's a near-perfect show, and it would be perfectly acceptable if, after racing through all four seasons, you're wondering what to watch next that will recapture even a little bit of its magic. Here are the best shows like Bridgerton that will tide you over until you can watch more episodes.
Shows Like 'Bridgerton' on Netflix
'The Crown' (2016–2023)
The Crown delves deep into the complexities of England’s royal monarchy through the perspective of one of its longest-standing leaders: Queen Elizabeth II. Like Bridgerton, the show pulls back the historical curtain on the hardships faced by women—even those in power. In addition to Elizabeth, portrayed by Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton at different points in time, the show also explores Princess Margaret’s personal struggle with the limelight and Princess Diana’s battle with isolation. If you tune into Bridgerton for the romance, there’s something here for you, too: Princess Margaret’s passionate love affair with Captain Peter Townsend and the early budding of a young Will and Kate are also part of the story.
'Derry Girls' (2018–2022)
Fans of Bridgerton's own Lady Whistledown (Nicola Coughlan) must check out the period drama that put her on the map before her days as a Featherington. In this coming-of-age comedy, the Irish star plays a Catholic teen discovering her sexuality during the tumultuous Troubles of 1990s Northern Ireland. You won't believe how hard this group of girls and their high school misadventures will make you laugh.
'The Empress' (2022–2026)
There are countless shows about British royals and aristocracy, but what about the epic stories of monarchs throughout the rest of Europe? Set a couple of decades after the Regency era, this German-language drama is based on the early years of Empress Elisabeth "Sisi" of Austria (Devrim Lingnau), who was betrothed to Emperor Franz Joseph I (Philip Froissant) at just 16-years-old. Though the pair's steamy romance marks a true love match, Sisi faces plenty of adversity as she struggles against the strict norms of the Vienna court. While the series finale has yet to receive a date, Netflix has confirmed it will run in 2026.
'Gossip Girl' (2007–2012)
Just as Clueless is a wholly modernized remake of Jane Austen's Emma, Gossip Girl is basically the mid-aughts version of Bridgerton. The ensemble cast (Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Taylor Momsen) is forever entrenched in scandal and romance—and all documented by an anonymous gossipmonger. Sound familiar?
'Outlander' (2014–2026)
Like Bridgerton, Outlander is based on a long-running series of historical romance novels. It's also similarly modernized: Heroine Claire Randall Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) infuses her 20th-century viewpoint into the mid-18th-century Jacobite risings she mysteriously time-travels to at the beginning of the first season. It also gives Bridgerton a run for its racy money with eight seasons of steamy sex scenes.
'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' (2023)
If you somehow missed this Bridgerton spinoff, congrats: a great watch is in store. The prequel centers on the franchise's inimitable monarch Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) and gives viewers a peek into her past as her younger self (India Amarteifio) falls in love with King George (Corey Mylchreest) and lands on the throne—though not necessarily in that order. Not only does their epic romance rival the original series's pairings, but we also get to know young Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas) and Violet Bridgerton (Connie Jenkins-Greig).
Shows Like 'Bridgerton' on Hulu
'The Great' (2020–2023)
This sexy, subversive show offers a hilariously outlandish take on 1700s Russia by chronicling the life of Catherine the Great (played by Elle Fanning), whose badassery has long been overshadowed by all those rumors about her—ahem—affinity for horses. A young woman plotting to kill her bumbling husband (Nicholas Hoult) and overthrow one of the world's strongest governments to promote education and equality across the land? Sign us up.
'Pride and Prejudice' (1995)
If Bridgerton's musical medleys and Outlander's time travel elements are too modern for your tastes, this 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries may suit a more traditional palette. It delves even deeper into the novel than the 2005 film, and features an unforgettable scene in which Colin Firth dives into a lake fully clothed, promptly initiating a one-man wet T-shirt contest so iconic that Bridgerton's second season snuck in a brief homage.
Shows Like 'Bridgerton' on HBO Max
'Gentleman Jack' (2019–2022)
Based on the real diaries of wealthy English landowner Anne Lister and portrayed in the series by Suranne Jones, Gentleman Jack depicts a woman whose life was truly one of a kind—particularly in the mid-1800s. In addition to being unusually affluent, Lister was a—gasp!—out lesbian who documented her life in her diaries, many of which were written in a code based on algebra and Ancient Greek. Be sure to set aside plenty of time to fall into a Wikipedia hole about her after you finish bingeing the show.
'The Gilded Age' (2022– )
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes took his upstairs-downstairs intrigue across the pond in this new series set in Gilded Age New York. Among the complex cast of socialites battling for power is Christine Baranski as the hilariously snide Agnes van Rhijn, Carrie Coon as the new-money wife of rollercoaster tycoon George Russell, Louisa Jacobson as a young ingenue who doesn't ascribe to snobbish norms, and Denée Benton, who represents the elite of Black post-Reconstruction New York with her character of Peggy Scott. It's got different players, but shares the same social scandals and class commentary as Bridgerton—and season 4 is in the works.
Shows Like 'Bridgerton' on Apple TV+
'The Buccaneers' (2023– )
Edith Wharton did for the Gilded Age what Jane Austen did for the Regency period. Based on Wharton's unfinished final novel of the same name, this series set in the 1870s follows a group of American socialite besties who cross the Atlantic Ocean to find suitable husbands. Here, we have all the hallmarks of a modernized period drama: inclusive casting, anachronistic needle drops, and young women straining against the machinations of polite society. Plus, the culture shock of the British responding to American mannerisms—and vice versa—adds an extra layer of fun. While there's no word on when season 3 will premiere, Apple announced its renewal in October 2025.
'Dickinson' (2019–2021)
It's about time that somebody fixed Emily Dickinson's reputation as a melancholy recluse! According to this very loose adaptation of the prolific poet's life, she was something of a party animal, with a penchant for getting high on opium and twerking in her corset to Drake while having regular interactions with Death himself (who looks suspiciously like Wiz Khalifa). As we said, very loose—and very similar to Bridgerton in its ultra-modern soundtrack and feminist take.
Shows Like 'Bridgerton' on Prime Video
'Downton Abbey' (2010–2015)
If you somehow missed the Downton Abbey train when it premiered to near-instant acclaim in 2010, there's no time like the present to dive into the complex world of the upper-crust Crawley family. The series takes place a century later than Bridgerton but is just as jam-packed with society scandals, historical references, and a blunt take on the inherent classism of the British aristocracy.
'My Lady Jane' (2024)
For anyone who likes their steamy period drama with a side of the supernatural (some of the characters transform into animals), the regrettably short-lived My Lady Jane should be in your streaming queue. This series, inspired by 16th-century figure Lady Jane Grey, who held the British throne for nine days before her death at age 17, raises a cheeky middle finger to the idea of historical accuracy. It's so much fun to watch the strong-willed Jane outwit the political forces working to control her.
'Reign' (2013–2017)
This period soap from The CW's golden age takes loose inspiration from Mary, Queen of Scots's life as the queen regent of France. (And by "loose inspiration," we mean the main characters are named after real-life figures, with the historical accuracy beginning and ending there.) Upon her arrival at the French court, young Mary (Adelaide Kane) must balance her will to become engaged to Francis (Toby Regbo), heir to the French throne, with her unexpected attraction to Bash (Torrance Coombs), Francis's illegitimate half-brother.
'Sanditon' (2019–2023)
Jane Austen fans must check out this series based on the author's final unfinished manuscript, which expands upon the diverse cast of characters living in the seaside town of Sandition. While its steaminess doesn't quite reach Bridgerton levels, this series is also much more risqué than the average Austen work; the flirting between Rose Williams's Charlotte Heywood and Theo James's Sidney Parker is definitely a fun watch.
Shows Like 'Bridgerton' on AMC+
'Anne Boleyn' (2021)
Anne Boleyn was a controversial figure even during her 16th-century reign for her role in displacing Catherine of Aragon as queen after capturing the attention of King Henry VIII and refusing to become his mistress. This retelling of her time in the British court, which casts a Black lead (Jodie Turner-Smith) as Anne, takes things one step further, depicting her enjoyment of sex and her confident navigation of politics amid the kingdom’s scorn. Though there are only three episodes in the miniseries, they’re packed to the brim with misogynistic condemnation and a performance from Turner-Smith that The Hollywood Reporter labeled “so powerful it feels almost physical.”
