10 PRETTY THINGS TO WATCH LIKE PBS’ ‘THE FORSYTES’
One of the buzziest and prettiest period dramas on Masterpiece PBS in recent years, The Forsytes inspires our latest “things to watch like” as we feature again this gorgeous period drama. Inspired (loosely from what I understand) by the novel The Forsyte Saga, this series explores the lives of the titular family and the secrets they hold.
LIST | 30+ OF THE BEST PERIOD DRAMAS ON PRIME RIGHT NOW!
The show is about brothers which includes Jolyon Senior (Stephen Moyer) and James (Jack Davenport) and the plans they each have for their sons. Senior’s namesake (Danny Griffin) has been married for ten years now with a stepdaughter in a marriage that is supposed to be the making of him. Then there is James’ son Soames (Joshua Orpin), a man who decides he must have the mysterious Irene Heron (Millie Gibson). Frances (Tuppence Middleton) meanwhile (the wife of Jolyon Jr.) has to contend with the arrival of Louisa Bryne (Eleanor Tomlinson), a beautiful woman with a hold on her husband.
10 PRETTY THINGS TO WATCH LIKE PBS’ ‘THE FORSYTES.’ Looking at more pretty #perioddrama to enjoy like #TheForsytes. How many have you seen? #MasterpiecePBS Share on X
And this is the main set up of this 2026 period drama The Forsytes, as we know look at some things to watch like it.
THINGS to WATCH like THE FORSYTES
BELGRAVIA
This one follows the Trenchard family who do have secrets of course, but most of all, it’s a lovely period drama. It has gorgeous costuming and a great cast which includes Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Tom Wilkinson, Philip Glenister and Tara Fitzgerald. The series is also created by Julian Fellowes.
Synopsis: The Trenchard family have recently ascended to the aristocratic society of London’s Belgravia, but a decades old love affair comes back to haunt them and jeopardize the happiness of many. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with BritBox
BELGRAVIA: THE NEXT CHAPTER
The follow-up story to Belgravia, this still follows the Trenchard family but takes place 25 years after that first season. The cast in this one is largely different and features Sophie Thompson, Elaine Cassidy, Sophie Winkleman and Edward Bluemel. The story continues in the same vein, or sounds as if it does, and follows this family as they continue to deal with scandals (and hopefully some happiness too!).
Synopsis: Belgravia, 1871. The eligible Lord Frederick Trenchard meets the bewitching Clara Dunn, and they fall deeply in love. A romantic courtship and proposal follow, and Clara is swept off her feet. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with MGM+
BERKELEY SQUARE
This one isn’t readily available to stream or watch, but it’s a relatively good drama following a group of nannies who mind the children of the wealthy set and takes place in the 1800s.
Synopsis: Berkeley Square is a warm-hearted family drama set in turn-of-the-century London, where three young girls come together as nannies and grow to be friends. Matty is a tough East End girl who has worked her way up the domestic ladder of London society’s finest families. Spirited Hannah flees to London with her child after falling disastrously in love with the eldest son of a grand Yorkshire family. Generous, yet naive, farm-girl Lydia becomes a nanny in a forward-thinking family light years from her own. – via Amazon
Search places like Amazon for DVD copies
DOCTOR THORNE
This is a four episode show that I really liked. It’s about the niece of a doctor who falls for someone in a match society doesn’t approve of. Like many others on this list, this title is also penned by Julian Fellowes. Additionally, it is also (finally) streaming again on Prime Video, after not being available for quite some time.
Synopsis: From the creator of Downton Abbey. Dr. Thorne lives a quiet life with niece Mary in Greshambury, home of the wealthy Gresham family. Unbeknownst to others, the Greshams have lost their fortune and matriarch Lady Arabella has a scheme to regain it via an arranged marriage with her son and an American heiress. However, her son plans to elope with Mary, which complicates Lady Arabella’s plans. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with Prime Video
THE FORSYTE SAGA
We have to include the 2002 adaptation of this show on this what to watch like The Forsytes collection. In this version, I was hard pressed to find anyone to truly root on as Damian Lewis and Rupert Graves led the two-season series. I watched season one, but cannot remember if I saw the second but it spans the later 1800s through to 1920. The main idea is the same and follows the Forsyte family in their ups, downs and sorrows. The supporting cast also includes Amanda Root, Ben Miles, Julian Ovenden and Barbara Flynn.
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 the Masterpiece PBS add on through Prime Video; or on the PBS app
THE HARDACRES
This one is different because it chronicles the lives of a working-class family in the 1890s, so while the timeframe is the same, the character mindset is different. Still, the story sees them rise in social circles (which of course does mean we get to see stunning costumes!) as they enjoy good fortune.
The series is gritty but also has some beauty too, and I did enjoy what I saw.
Synopsis: A working class family in 1890s Yorkshire move from a grimy fish dock to a vast country estate. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with BritBox
HOWARD’S END
Inspired by a novel, this more recent 2017 mini series adaptation has a brilliant cast which includes Matthew Macfadyen and Hayley Atwell. It follows Henry Wilcox and the Schlegel family. This one is four episodes and is certainly gorgeous to look at even if the story isn’t always the most cheerful.
Synopsis: The Schlegel sisters are two independent and unconventional sisters seeking love and meaning as they navigate an ever-changing world. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with Starz
POLDARK
A Masterpiece show that was well loved, Poldark is from the same writer as The Forsytes which makes this one a great title in this things to watch list. This one is an adaptation of the novels by Winston Graham and told the story of Ross Poldark (upon his return from war) and the Warleggan family.
The show features Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson, who is now starring in The Forsytes.
Synopsis: It’s 1783, and Ross Poldark has returned home from war to find his father dead, his family’s fortunes in ruins, and his childhood sweetheart about to marry another. Betrayed by everything he loves, Ross must rebuild his life. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with Masterpiece PBS
SANDITON
Inspired by the unfinished novel by Jane Austen, a loyal fanbase devoted itself for its three seasons, but also lost its original leading man after one season. The heroine is Charlotte Heywood, a woman who, of course (because this is a Jane Austen), tries to find forever love!
Synopsis: […] writer Andrew Davies brings Jane Austen’s unfinished last novel vividly to life. The once-sleepy fishing village of Sanditon is transforming into a fashionable spa resort full of intrigues and dalliances. Changing alongside it is the impulsive and unconventional Charlotte Heywood, who journeys to discover herself–and find love on her own terms. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with Masterpiece PBS
WIVES and DAUGHTERS
I don’t see many people talking of this one in period drama features. It’s based on a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell and follows the lives of a widowed doctor with an adult daughter. When he remarries, daughter Molly must cope with the arrival of a stepsister and stepmother as she deals with the ups and downs of trying to connect with her sister and falling in love. Sadly, this one isn’t readily available to stream, but it’s a good one if you have a DVD copy.
Synopsis: Set in a richly portrayed society well-stocked with eccentric nobles and gossipy villagers, the story centers around 17-year-old Molly Gibson, the only daughter of a respected country Doctor. – via Amazon
Search places like Amazon for DVD copies
BONUS! THE GILDED AGE
Another buzzy period drama, this one brings the drama without being too drama-y if that makes sense. The Gilded Age also fits nicely in the things to watch like The Forsytes list. At least I think it does! There is broken engagements (soapy!) and power moves just to name a couple things you’ll see. But up until the last finale, it also has a strong marriage which I appreciated; even with arguments or disagreements (which is honest and normal), I still think storytelling can and should have good marriages. (Though I know this is considered taboo for most TV shows or once was.)
The story is about new money trying to find their place in a society dominated by old money; and the give and take, and sometimes “deals” that come with that. Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, and Louisa Jacobson (pictured below in a scene from season one) are among some of the stars you will see in this.
Synopsis: Developed by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, this drama follows a young woman living in New York City’s glittering Gilded Age. – via Prime Video
Stream, at publication, with HBO Max
Stream, at publication, The Forsytes on Masterpiece PBS or the PBS app; or catch the new episodes (now – April 26) on PBS.
Photos: Masterpiece PBS (The Forstyes, 2026) | Alamy
Ok, let’s hear from you! What would you add to a “what to watch” list of things like The Forsytes? Did you enjoy any of these? Which ones would you remove? Comment all of your thoughts down below. Let’s talk.
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