A BRITBOX STREAMING GUIDE: THE PERIOD DRAMA ROMANCE + MYSTERY YOU CAN SEE
A couple of weeks ago, someone on Twitter mentioned that they picked up the free trial of BritBox just to watch again North and South. While, of course, it’s worth it for that swoony period series along, recommendations began to pour in for her on what else she should see on the streaming platform. Of course, this all reminded me that I’ve been meaning to publish a few streaming “guides,” if you will, other than Prime for a while now. One of which being a BritBox streaming guide. Because we all love to see what’s out there, right?
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I picked up this streamer possibly several months back to see something specific and found several things to enjoy. BritBox is, from its website, the “biggest streaming collection of British TV ever.” That’s impressive – and honestly, I’m here for that. We love places to see and enjoy amazing British TV. While there is some reality TV, too, I watch the drama TV, so that’s where I’ll focus. (Plus, there’s LOTS of Jane Austen!) I’m also only going to feature the shows or films you can find that fit in with the type of things we talk about, cover and review here. So, let’s do some exploring on BritBox and see what you can find – and most importantly, let’s see if we can tempt you to try the streamer.
BRITBOX STREAMING GUIDE
What you can see on British TV’s largest collection for streaming
At publication, you can find all of these titles streaming with a BritBox subscription
MOVIES AND MINISERIES
CRANFORD
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell, this is a lovely period drama that features two mini series telling the stories of the many ladies residing in Cranford, all experiencing different challenges based on their varying stages in life.
DANIEL DERONDA
Seeing this YEARS ago, I’ve now realized I should give it a rewatch. It’s kind of dark, but features Hugh Dancy, and in the end, it ends how it should if not how viewers wish for.
DAVID COPPERFIELD (1999)
Daniel Radcliffe stars as the young David in this BBC production. Based on the Charles Dickens novel, this follows an orphan who lives a rough life, and the adult he becomes.
EMMA (2009)
The BBC miniseries adaptation, Jonny Lee Miller stars as Knightley in a version that puts Emma as more of an innocent than the others I’ve seen. It makes for a more unique approach as does the fact that this is longer than any other version of the Austen story.
MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT
One of the unique stories that Charles Dickens wrote, this follows a man trying to find the right heir for his fortune.
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A kind of biography of Jane Austen, Olivia Williams stars as Austen. I don’t remember much about this one but don’t think I adored it at the time. Nonetheless, if you like Jane Austen, you may enjoy this. Not an exclusive for the streaming, if you want more like this, BritBox may be the best bet if you’re trying to decide between streamers.
MRS. BROWN
Judi Dench stars in this film about an older Queen Victoria, who in the aftermath of her love, Albert’s death, finds some joy with a trusted servant. One of those films I saw years ago, I cannot say I remember this well but I’m sure it’s very well made.
NORTH & SOUTH
Worth picking up the streamer for this alone, even if only the trial so you can re-watch, this story, based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, is beautiful, romantic and full of complex characters. In short, it’s just a stunning watch.
PERSUASION (2007)
If you watched Netflix’s 2022 version of this Austen story and you’re wanting to see a different adaptation, this ITV version is decent. Perhaps not in line with the novel, but it’s more true to the time than Netflix’s.
POLDARK (1996)
If you were a fan of the Masterpiece series Poldark, you may like to see this nearly two hour film! I haven’t seen it, and only saw a season and a half or so of the show, but this cast is impressive, so there is at least that.
PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005)
Though this title is not an exclusive on this streaming service, if you’re into British dramas, BritBox is a great add on if you want to see 2005’s Pride & Prejudice. Beautiful in its scenic scope. Kiera Knightley leads the case in this different, but still respectful, adaptation of the Jane Austen adaptation.
A BRITBOX STREAMING GUIDE: THE PERIOD DRAMA ROMANCE + MYSTERY YOU CAN SEE #BRITISHTV #BRITISHMOVIES #GOODDRAMA #DRAMA #PERIODDRAMA #PERIODROMANCE #ROMANCE #MYSTERY Share on XSENSE & SENSIBILITY (2008)
A Masterpiece adaptation of Jane Austen’s story, this follows a widowed women, and her three daughters trying to make due without fortune being unable to inherit as women.
TURN OF THE SCREW
If you like atmospheric mysteries (though this is tagged as “horror”), you may want to look at this 90s film about a woman who is in an asylum. Colin Firth co-stars with Jodhi May.
WHY DIDN’T THEY ASK EVANS?
Based on the Agatha Christie novel, this BritBox original is FABULOUS. I love the cast (you’ll see a grown-up Lucy Boynton and Will Poulter, both of whom were child actors) and the costuming and just the general atmosphere. This is really what I’d like to see Christie adaptations be like more than some of the recent Prime adaptations.
SERIES
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL (1978)
If you’re enjoying the more recent Masterpiece adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, you may like to see the 70s version too. If you’ve seen it, do you recommend the show?
THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES
A mystery series that is darker than some of the other international offerings, this is a 1960s series about a doctor, his loyal housekeeper and the investigative team who solve terrible crimes. Did I mention it’s set in Australia?
FATHER BROWN
Silly sometimes yes, but the characters are quite likable and fun so yes, I do love this amateur detective mystery series. If you’re into the older productions, BritBox also has the 70s series, too!
LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD
This is one of those wholesome and charming shows that tells the story of two feuding (in a fun way) villages that are quite different, and the young girl who moves from one (at her parent’s insistence) to the other in the hopes she’ll have better opportunities.
THE MALLORCA FILES
A kind of version of ABC’s Castle (in terms of the “hate” reluctant partners have), this puts together an uptight investigator and one with more chill as they’re forced to work a case. What’s unique about this is the setting and how stunning everything is.
MARPLE (ITV)
Six series, this ITV show chronicles the cases of one of Agatha Christie’s most famous detectives, Miss Marple. Played by Geraldine McEwan in series one through three, and Julia McKenzie in four – six. Either way, these are fun. I’ve worked my way through a one – three (multiple) re-watch and it’s been fun. Plus it’s just fun to see everyone in the British talent pool guest star at some point. If you’re into the older productions, BritBox also has the 80s series, too!
MURDER IN SUBURBIA
A brief two season run, my mom and I binged this series a while back. It’s a mostly fun detective dramedy set in contemporary times about partners who lead different lives.
THE SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES
Tagged as an exclusive, this is a kind of spin off series from Father Brown. The ten episode series one follow the titular character who is an expect in forensics, so naturally, she’s part of their crime solving team.
UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS
A kind of darker (that’s my memory) version of Downton Abbey, this is set post WWI and features Keeley Hawes as a new bride and her husband buying a home called Eaton Place.
Photos: BritBox / BBC / Masterpiece
Did we tempt you to try BritBox? Have you seen any of these? Have you been wondering where to re-watch any I mention? Would you pick up BritBox to watch anything on this guide? How many haven’t you seen? Comment all the comments. Let’s chat about this biggest British streaming collection.
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