20 Best TV Shows Like Bridgerton to Watch (April 2026)
If you’ve just finished the latest season of Bridgerton and you’re already mourning the ballroom gowns, slow-burn glances, and Lady Whistledown’s pen, you’re in exactly the right place. The 20 best TV shows like Bridgerton blend lavish period settings, steamy romance, high-society scandal, and modern sensibilities — from Queen Charlotte and The Gilded Age to Outlander, Sanditon, Dickinson, and The Buccaneers — so every corset-loving fan has a new swoon-worthy binge lined up.
I’ve watched (and re-watched) nearly every show on this list, cross-checked picks against Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, and pulled from fan conversations so you’re not wasting a single evening on filler. Below you’ll find the quick-glance table, then a full breakdown of each show: what it’s about, why Bridgerton fans love it, and who it’s best for.
Quick-Glance Table: Shows Like Bridgerton at a Glance
| # | Show | Era/Setting | Where to Watch | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | Georgian England | Netflix | Bridgerton completionists |
| 2 | The Gilded Age | 1880s New York | Max | High-society class warfare |
| 3 | Outlander | 1740s Scotland | Starz | Steamy epic romance |
| 4 | Sanditon | Regency England | PBS / Britbox | Jane Austen purists |
| 5 | The Buccaneers | 1870s London | Apple TV+ | Modern-feeling Regency |
| 6 | Dickinson | 1850s Massachusetts | Apple TV+ | Anachronistic, pop-scored fun |
| 7 | Downton Abbey | Early 20th-century England | Peacock | Upstairs/downstairs drama |
| 8 | The Crown | 20th-century Britain | Netflix | Royal intrigue |
| 9 | Harlots | 1760s London | Hulu | Unflinching, female-led |
| 10 | The Tudors | 16th-century England | Paramount+ | Sexy historical power plays |
| 11 | The Great | 18th-century Russia | Hulu | Dark comedy + court drama |
| 12 | Gentleman Jack | 1830s Yorkshire | Max | LGBTQ+ period romance |
| 13 | Belgravia | 19th-century London | Epix / MGM+ | Julian Fellowes secrets |
| 14 | The Empress | 1850s Austria | Netflix | Royal fairytale |
| 15 | Poldark | 18th-century Cornwall | PBS / Prime | Windswept brooding romance |
| 16 | Reign | 16th-century France | Netflix / The CW | Teen-friendly court drama |
| 17 | The White Queen | 15th-century England | Starz | War of the Roses |
| 18 | Call the Midwife | 1950s–60s London | Netflix / PBS | Heartfelt ensemble drama |
| 19 | Gossip Girl | Modern Manhattan | Max | Scandal sheet sibling show |
| 20 | Bon Appétit, Your Majesty | Joseon-era Korea | Netflix | K-drama crossover |
How I Picked These 20 Shows
Not every period drama deserves a spot on a Bridgerton list. I ranked picks on four criteria: romantic chemistry, visual opulence (costumes, sets, score), social-hierarchy tension (the gossip engine Bridgerton runs on), and modern sensibility — the sly anachronism or diverse casting that makes Shondaland’s hit feel fresh. Shows that hit at least three of the four are in. Purely stuffy historical epics? Out.
The 20 Best TV Shows Like Bridgerton
1. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
The obvious first stop. Shonda Rhimes’ prequel follows a young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and her complicated marriage to King George III (Corey Mylchreest), toggling between the past and Charlotte’s present-day scenes between Bridgerton seasons. It’s the same universe, the same sweeping score, and arguably a more emotionally grounded love story than the mothership.
Watch if you loved: Daphne’s arc in Season 1 and want more royal romance without leaving the Bridger-verse.
2. The Gilded Age (2022–present)
Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) crossed the Atlantic for this HBO/Max drama set in 1880s Manhattan. New-money Russell family (Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector) wages social war on the old guard (Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon). Think Bridgerton‘s ballroom politics with American ambition and taller feathers.
3. Outlander (2014–2026)
Based on Diana Gabaldon’s novels, Outlander follows WWII nurse Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe) as she time-travels to 1740s Scotland and falls for Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). It famously “walked so Bridgerton could run” when it comes to unapologetically explicit period romance. The eighth and final season dropped in early 2026.
4. Sanditon (2019–2023)
An underrated Jane Austen adaptation completed by modern writers (Austen died before finishing the book). Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) arrives at the coastal resort of Sanditon and tangles with the moody Sidney Parker (Theo James). It dials the sensuality up past typical Austen territory — a direct Bridgerton lane.
5. The Buccaneers (2023–present)
Apple TV+’s adaptation of Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel follows a group of brash American heiresses shipped to London in the 1870s to hunt husbands. Set a few decades after Bridgerton, it features an anachronistic pop soundtrack, swoony love triangles, and a second season in production.
6. Dickinson (2019–2021)
Hailee Steinfeld stars as a reimagined, feminist, teenage Emily Dickinson in this Apple TV+ series that fuses 1850s costumes with Billie Eilish on the soundtrack and Wiz Khalifa as Death. It’s the closest tonal match to Bridgerton‘s “classical-cover-of-a-pop-song” vibe on TV.
7. Downton Abbey (2010–2015)
The show that revived the modern period drama. The Crawley family and their household staff navigate love, loss, and change at a Yorkshire estate from 1912 onward. Less steamy than Bridgerton, but the ensemble romances (Mary & Matthew, Anna & Bates) are some of the genre’s most beloved.
8. The Crown (2016–2023)
Peter Morgan’s Netflix epic traces Queen Elizabeth II’s reign from her 1947 marriage through the Blair years. Like Bridgerton, it pulls back the curtain on the cost of being a woman inside the machinery of monarchy — just with nuclear codes instead of Whistledown scandal sheets.
9. Harlots (2017–2019)
Inspired by Hallie Rubenhold’s non-fiction book The Covent Garden Ladies, this ITV/Hulu series (starring Samantha Morton and Liv Tyler) follows rival brothel madams in 1760s London. It’s rawer and angrier than Bridgerton, but it shares a fierce commitment to telling women’s stories with agency and wit.
10. The Tudors (2007–2010)
Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays a magnetic, sexed-up Henry VIII across four seasons of court intrigue and doomed queens. It’s where Natalie Dormer broke out as Anne Boleyn before Game of Thrones. For Bridgerton fans who want the stakes turned lethal.
11. The Great (2020–2023)
Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult star in this Hulu dark comedy about Catherine the Great’s ascent in 18th-century Russia. Tony McNamara (The Favourite) writes, so expect biting dialogue, absurd wigs, and a deliciously filthy sense of humor. An “occasionally true story,” per the opening credits.
12. Gentleman Jack (2019–2022)
Suranne Jones plays Anne Lister — a real-life 1830s Yorkshire landowner widely considered the “first modern lesbian” — whose coded diaries inspired the HBO/BBC series. Romantic, funny, historically rigorous, and one of the best LGBTQ+ period dramas ever made.
13. Belgravia (2020)
Another Julian Fellowes creation, this six-episode ITV miniseries opens at the real Duchess of Richmond’s ball on the eve of Waterloo and follows a long-buried secret through 1840s London society. A compact, costume-rich binge.
14. The Empress (2022–present)
Netflix’s German-language drama about Elisabeth (“Sisi”) of Bavaria, who marries Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria in 1854. Lush, politically charged, and romantic — plus it holds a glowing critical reputation on international streamers.
15. Poldark (2015–2019)
Aidan Turner’s brooding Ross Poldark returns from the American Revolutionary War to find his sweetheart engaged to another man. Cornish cliffs, copper mines, and a complicated marriage to the fierce Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson). Peak windswept yearning.
16. Reign (2013–2017)
A CW teen take on Mary, Queen of Scots and her time at the French court. Purists will howl at the modern-ish gowns and loose history, but fans of Bridgerton‘s accessible, glossy sensibility will find a lot to love.
17. The White Queen (2013)
Based on Philippa Gregory’s novels, this Starz miniseries charts three rival women during the Wars of the Roses — Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville. Rebecca Ferguson was launched into stardom here.
18. Call the Midwife (2012–present)
Adapted from Jennifer Worth’s memoirs, this BBC drama follows nuns and nurse-midwives in London’s 1950s–60s East End. It’s warmer and less spicy than Bridgerton, but its huge ensemble and deep emotional beats make it a perfect cozy follow-up — and there are more seasons than there are Bridgerton siblings.
19. Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
The OG anonymous-narrator scandal sheet. Swap Whistledown for Kristen Bell’s purring voiceover and Mayfair for the Upper East Side. The original run’s ensemble (Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley) defined a decade of glossy romance TV — and the DNA is unmistakably Bridgerton-adjacent.
20. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (2025)
A left-field pick, but trust me. This K-drama follows a modern South Korean chef who time-travels to the Joseon dynasty and becomes personal cook to a tyrant king. Court intrigue, lavish costumes, a slow-burn romance, and some of the most beautiful food cinematography on Netflix right now. Perfect if you want Bridgerton energy with an East Asian twist.
Honorable Mentions Worth a Look
A few shows didn’t quite crack the main 20 but still deserve a shout:
- Pride and Prejudice (1995) — the Colin Firth–Jennifer Ehle BBC adaptation is still the gold standard for Austen on screen.
- Emma (2009 BBC / 2020 film) — the 2020 Anya Taylor-Joy version is especially Bridgerton-coded in its candy palette.
- Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022) — technically a film, but its colorblind Regency casting is direct Bridgerton territory.
- The Serpent Queen — Starz’s Catherine de’ Medici drama, fourth-wall-breaking and fun.
- Victoria — Jenna Coleman as the young queen, lighter than The Crown.
What Makes a Show “Like Bridgerton”?
After watching dozens of candidates, the formula boils down to four ingredients:
- A gossip engine — scandal sheets, anonymous narrators, or whisper networks that shape characters’ fates.
- Slow-burn chemistry — the “hands touching across the dance floor” school of romance, not insta-lust.
- Opulent production value — costumes, music, and set design treated as characters.
- Modern sensibility inside historical wrapping — diverse casting, feminist re-framing, or anachronistic needle drops.
Any show that nails three of the four will scratch the Bridgerton itch. Shows like Outlander, Queen Charlotte, and The Gilded Age hit all four.
Pro Tips for Building Your “Post-Bridgerton” Watchlist
- Alternate light and heavy. Pair a cozy pick (Call the Midwife) with a steamy one (Outlander) so you don’t burn out.
- Read the book first when you can. Shows like Outlander, The Buccaneers, and The Gilded Age-adjacent novels reward fans with richer context.
- Watch the classical covers episodes. Bridgerton‘s musical signature — string quartet pop covers — is also huge in Dickinson and The Great. Seek those out for the matching mood.
- Check regional availability. Shows like Sanditon, Gentleman Jack, and The Buccaneers rotate between streamers depending on your country — verify current listings on the show’s page at IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes.
- Don’t sleep on miniseries. Belgravia and The White Queen each deliver a full arc in under ten hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What show is most similar to Bridgerton?
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is the closest match because it’s literally in the same universe, created by Shonda Rhimes, and uses the same visual language, score, and diverse Regency setting. Outside the Bridger-verse, The Buccaneers is the nearest tonal cousin thanks to its modern pop soundtrack and young-women-hunting-husbands premise.
Is there a show like Bridgerton on Netflix?
Yes — several. Netflix hosts Queen Charlotte, The Empress, Call the Midwife, Reign, and Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, all of which share at least two of Bridgerton‘s core ingredients (period romance, court intrigue, or female-led ensemble drama). You can find the official franchise hub on Netflix Tudum’s Bridgerton page.
What should I watch after Bridgerton Season 4?
Start with Queen Charlotte to stay in the universe, then move to The Buccaneers for a similar tone, followed by The Gilded Age for more high-society power games. That trio will cover you until Season 5 — which showrunner Jess Brownell has said typically takes about two years per cycle.
Is Bridgerton based on true events?
No. Bridgerton is adapted from Julia Quinn’s bestselling romance novel series and set in a fictionalized, diverse version of Regency-era London. Queen Charlotte, however, was a real historical figure — and historians have debated whether she may have had African ancestry, which the show leans into. You can read more about her life on her official Royal Family biography page.
Are any Bridgerton-like shows actually historically accurate?
Gentleman Jack, The Crown, The Tudors, and Downton Abbey lean more historical, though all take dramatic license. Bridgerton, Dickinson, The Great, and Reign intentionally play loose with accuracy in favor of vibe and theme. If authenticity matters to you, start with Gentleman Jack — Anne Lister’s diaries are real and were only fully decoded in recent decades.
What’s the steamiest show like Bridgerton?
Outlander is consistently cited as the steamiest period romance on TV, frequently out-pacing Bridgerton on the heat scale. Harlots and The Tudors are close runners-up, though both come with heavier themes.
Is Bridgerton coming back for Season 5?
Yes. Season 5 is currently in production, with Francesca Bridgerton and her late husband’s cousin Michaela Stirling taking center stage. New seasons typically run on a roughly two-year production cycle, so plan your Bridgerton-alike binge list accordingly.
Final Thoughts
The magic of Bridgerton isn’t the corsets or even the steamy scenes — it’s the way the show treats romance as worthy of big, glossy, prestige-TV treatment. Every pick on this list honors that same promise in its own way, whether through Shondaland sheen (Queen Charlotte), Austen warmth (Sanditon), or windswept longing (Poldark).
My honest advice? Bookmark this page, start with Queen Charlotte, and let the list carry you through the long wait until Whistledown sharpens her quill again. Happy binging, dearest reader.
Related reads you might enjoy next: guides on the best romance K-dramas, cozy British mystery shows, and the most binge-worthy Netflix period dramas of 2026.