10 THINGS TO WATCH LIKE ‘BRIDGERTON’
On this day we add a new addition to the watchalikes category by putting a spotlight on something we rarely (if ever) feature despite its immense popularity with viewers. From Netflix, and just dropping its fourth season, it seems fitting that we look at things to watch if you like Bridgerton.
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10 THINGS TO WATCH LIKE ‘BRIDGERTON.’ Looking at some things to watch when you need to fill the #Bridgerton gap! #TVShows #PeriodDrama Share on XTo be totally honest, I cannot remember if I watched the first episode of this and then never looked back (I was always skeptical about liking it way back when its first look, first season photos dropped). I don’t think I watched any part of this, but I cannot be sure. What I do know is the following. This drama is extremely popular (including Emmy wins) with viewers and consistently climbs Netflix charts each time it drops a new season. It’s based off a series of novels by Julia Quinn and tells the stories of the close-knit group of eight Bridgerton siblings and their time in London society, which of course includes finding love. The seasons have all centered on one sibling (so far) while also being stories about other characters in their lives. Also, a large part of the plot is the writings of an unknown gossip columnist!
All this to say, let’s look into what productions you can watch with a similar feel if you simply cannot get enough (and are already missing!) of Bridgerton.
THINGS LIKE BRIDGERTON
BELGRAVIA
This one only has two seasons and is from Julian Fellowes. It follows the Trenchard family, each season a story about a different generation. I only watched season one, but from all I remember, it did impress me. The cast is also quite brilliant and includes names like Harriet Walter, Ella Purnell, Tara Fitzgerald, Sophie Thompson, and Edward Bluemel.
Synopsis: Follows events when the emerging nouveau riche, including the Trenchard family, rub shoulders with London’s established upper classes. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with BritBox or MGM+; or you can digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
EMMA
I don’t think I can make a list like this without including Jane Austen’s Emma. This is, of course, a very wholesome story (and anyone who watches Bridgerton knows that Austen is nothing like it in regard to their content ratings), but the vibes feel similar in that Emma is a busy body character who loves to meddle in the lives of her neighbors. It’s also a bright, lively and romantic story, and in many respects, a way better story too.
There are multiple versions of this story including two from 1996 (one a Miramax feature and the other from A&E), there is also a 2009 miniseries and a 2020 Focus Features adaptation, plus others, too! These are just the most popular. The 2009 miniseries has an 8.1 rating where I look so it’s the best rated. However, the 2020 adaptation probably matches Bridgerton best in terms of the look and color palette.
Synopsis: Beautiful, smart and wealthy, Emma Woodhouse navigates her way through misguided matches, romantic missteps and the challenges of growing up. – Peacock (2020 adaptation)
Stream, at publication, the 2020 adaptation with Peacock; 1996 (A&E) with Prime Video, Roku or Tubi; 1996 (Miramax) with MGM+; 2009 with BritBox or Peacock; or digitally purchase any of them on places like Prime Video
THE FORSYTE SAGA
I watched this for the first time a few years ago, and didn’t love it, but it was quite the production in its era of release. It also has names like Julian Ovenden or Ioan Gruffudd (albeit in supporting roles) in the starting out period of their careers. There are a few characters I enjoyed, but mostly I was a little underwhelmed with the characters I enjoyed, so I think for me that kind of affected the likability factor. It’s another story about family and the choices they make, some of which lead to tragic lives. It’s also based on a book, and is quite stunning to see.
Synopsis: “The Forsyte Saga” is an epic drama spanning three generations of the powerful Forsyte family at the turn of the 20th century. Beneath the family’s imposing veneer lies a festering core of unhappy and brutal relationships. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with PBS Masterpiece
THE GILDED AGE
Also from Julian Fellowes, this one is impressive and charming and entertaining. It has drama, yes, but I think it balances the drama with more serious things well. It also has a brilliant sense of humor largely thanks to the talents of Christine Baranski. The stories follow the upper-crust old money socialites who close ranks on welcoming the new neighbors who, while quite wealthy, are from new money.
Synopsis: In Season 3, ambition and scandal collide as the Russells take their place at the head of society, while the van Rhijn household is thrown into chaos. – HBOMax
Stream, at publication, with HBOMax
GOSSIP GIRL
In its heyday, this was one of the Queens of CW programming. It’s also a modern story, but one that has a similar plot in terms of this following upper-class characters whose lives become fodder for a gossip column published online. It’s not a stretch to say that this TV show is also likely the breakout roles for famous stars like Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.
Synopsis: The lives of privileged but dysfunctional friends on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. – via Prime Vide
Stream, at publication, with HBOMax
MR. SELFRIDGE
Inspired by true events, Jeremy Pivan stars in this as the titular character playing a businessman who builds Selfridge’s, one of London’s most prestigious department stores. Of course, there is scandal, despair, disappointment, death, sorrow and more. All of which stars inside the walls of this luxurious store!
Synopsis: Fresh from a successful retail career in Chicago, a dashing Harry Selfridge arrives in London with his family intent on building the world’s largest department store in the capital’s Oxford Street. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with PBS Masterpiece
THE PARADISE
Lasting for two seasons, I think, this is a charming and simple little dramedy following an ambitious shop girl who winds up falling in love with the businessman who owns the shop where she works.
Synopsis: Made homeless by the death of her father and with nothing to live on but her wits, Denise comes from the country to work in the spectacularly glamorous Ladies Paradise, England’s first department store. So begins our rags-to-riches story of a young girl who falls in love with the intoxicating and dangerous charms of the modern world. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with Prime Video; or find on Roku or Tubi
NORTH & SOUTH
A delightful miniseries that is now over twenty years old, this one is based on an Elizabeth Gaskell novel and follows a woman who moves from the south, a more genteel and beautiful play to the north where harshness and illness is often the normal. The film is a BBC production and is still set in England despite the title phrase often associated with American history.
Synopsis: When Margaret Hale exchanges her rural life for a northern mill town, she witnesses first hand the poverty of the working classes. She also meets mill-owner John Thornton, who she initially despises, while he finds her wilful and proud. When the workers of Milton call a strike, Margaret takes their side, and the two are brought into deeper conflict. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with BritBox; or find on Tubi
VANITY FAIR
If I’m remembering right, I’ve seen two versions of this story based on the famous novel. There is a feature film featuring Reese Witherspoon and then a version that was more miniseries released by Prime Video a few years back (which for some reason isn’t on Prime right now?). There are others, too, but those are the ones I am familiar with. The story isn’t the happiest largely because it’s about a heroine named Becky who lives an unhappy life and makes life so for many of the people who love her.
Synopsis: Despite her poverty-stricken background, a young woman climbs the social ladder in 19th-century England. – via Prime Video
Purchase the 2004 feature film on places like Prime Video
VICTORIA
This Masterpiece (on PBS) drama chronicled the life of Queen Victoria. I don’t think I ever finished the series, but I found what I did see delightful and extremely charming. It’s one that tells the story not just of Victoria and her extraordinary romance with Prince Albert but also follows the lives of some servants working in the palace.
Synopsis: Created by Daisy Goodwin, this ambitious drama presents the early years of one of history’s greatest monarchs. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with PBS Masterpiece
Do you watch Bridgerton? What titles would you put on a things Bridgerton collection? What shows do you think fit this list? Comment all of your thoughts down below! Let’s talk!
Photos: Alamy
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