Downton Abbey: A New Era has been streaming on Peacock since June 24, 2022 and fans are still talking about its bittersweet ending. Luckily, for those who feel like the latest chapter of the Crawley's story isn't enough, the British film and TV industry is full of hidden gems for fans of the series.
Downtown Abbey's charmingly British cast, historical setting, and intricate storyline have caught the attention of millions of viewers worldwide, leaving fans of the series looking for more similar content. Here are 10 not-so-well-known films and TV shows that will fill that void.
A Young Doctor's Notebook (2012 - 2013)
Starring Harry Potter star, Daniel Radcliffe, A Young Doctor's Notebook (2012) is a dark comedy series that follows the attempts of newly graduated Russian doctor Vladimir Bomgard to treat wary patients. With this premise, the series is narrated by Dr. Bomgard himself through his notebooks.
Set in the same years as Downton Abbey, the series' events are similarly influenced by great historical events such as the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil War. Exquisitely written, A Young Doctor’s Notebook will positively surprise fans of British humor and wittiness. Nonetheless, the series also explores Dr. Bomgard’s personal life and struggles, exploring his complicated relationship with substance abuse.
Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool (2017)
Although set in much more modern times than Downton Abbey, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017) shares the same sentimental and domestic atmosphere with it. As Academy Award-winning actress Gloria Grahame falls ill, her lover Peter Turner, a young struggling up-and-coming actor, feels obliged to look after her and decides to take her to his family home in Liverpool.
Much like many Downton Abbey love stories, Peter and Gloria’s relationship is troubled and full of obstacles. The conflicts that arise from their different lifestyles and upbringings closely resemble those afflicting the Crawleys. As they grow closer together, their lives push them further apart leading to a romantic movie with a tragic ending that is bound to break anybody's heart.
Bramwell (1995 - 1998)
One of the most appreciated aspects of Downton Abbey is its representation of strong female leads as they face the misogyny of their times. Similarly, Bramwell (1995) tells the story of Eleanor Bramwell and her fight to become a famous doctor in Victorian England, an aspiration then unheard of for a woman.
Showing many similarities with BBC's Call The Midwife, the series deals with important topics such as feminism, medical malpractice, and adoption. Full of romance and intricate subplots, Bramwell provides a portrayal of Victorian society and its faults while keeping the viewers entertained.
North & South (2004)
North & South (2004) is a television miniseries set within the Victorian era and the Second Industrial Revolution. The series tells the story of Margaret Hale, a young woman from southern England who moves to Milton, an industrial town in the north after her father decides to abandon his Protestant community of which he was the pastor.
Starring Brendan Coyle and Tim Pigott-Smith as two of the main characters, actors are not the only thing that this series has in common with Downton Abbey. Similar to the 2010 period drama, North & South explores life in the English countryside, considering issues of class and gender. Fans of British sceneries and village intrigues will certainly get hooked up by this show.
Mr. Selfridge (2013 - 2016)
The Crowleys might be a fictional family, but the British aristocracy they belong to was very much real in the early 1900s and so was their lifestyle. Mr. Selfridge (2013) is a period drama that follows the adventures of Selfridge & Co visionary founder, focusing on his pioneering ideas in the luxury industry.
Much like Downton Abbey, this period drama uses the premise of its main character story to offer a more collective perspective on the time society, as the main storyline intertwines with historic events.
Ripper Street (2012 - 2016)
Not all period dramas are based on family lore and romance, and Ripper Street (2012) proves it. With its dark atmosphere and fast pace, this crime drama follows the investigations of the notorious H Division, the police precinct responsible for maintaining order in the district of Whitechapel after Jack the Ripper's murders strike.
Sharing many of their supporting actors, Downton Abbey and Ripper Street show two different sides of the same coin, one being set in posh Yorkshire and the other in dreadful East London. They might seem to be very little alike, but the two shows share the same attention to detail and focus on characters.
The Long Firm (2004)
Set in the early 1960s in London, The Long Firm (2004) is a four-part crime drama miniseries. Much like Downton Abbey tells the story of a family from different angles, this not-so-famous British miniseries focuses on the rise and fall of ruthless gangster Harry Starks from the perspective of five different characters.
Exploring the harsh reality of '60s London, The Long Firm offers a snapshot of another piece of British history that Downton Abbey fans could be interested in. With the boldness of its premise and the novelty of its storytelling, this series will engage both cinephiles and casual viewers.
Marchlands (2011)
Marchlands (2011) is a television drama about three families living in the same house in three different periods: 1968, 1987, and 2010. After the sudden death of eight-year-old Alice in 1967, the house is haunted by the girl’s restless spirit.
Although unrelated to Downton Abbey in genre and setting, Marchlands has nothing to envy the period drama in terms of characters' writing, and performances. More so, the two series share their focus on complicated family dynamics and related emotions.
Victoria & Abdul (2017)
As viewers of Downton Abbey know, the English aristocracy is not all glitz and glamour, nor is the life of the Royals. Set in 1887, Victoria & Abdul (2017) presents the hardships endured by young Indian Abdul Kamir in being accepted as a member of Queen Victoria’s "golden circle."
Earning her a Golden Globe as Best Actress, Judi Dench's performance in this movie has been widely acclaimed by both critics and the audience. Exploring the topics of changing societies and human connections, Victoria & Abdul embodies some of the most heart-touching aspects of Downton Abbey.
Becoming Jane (2007)
Starring the Dowager Countess of Grantham herself, Maggie Smith, Becoming Jane (2007) is a biographical film about the British novel writer Jane Austen. With a star-studded cast that also includes Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy, the movie explores Jane’s love story with brash Irishman Tom Lefroy.
This film shines a new light on Jane Austen’s life, giving the audience insights based on her books and letters. Fans of Downton Abbey will appreciate the accurate depiction of 18th-century society and the romantic feel of the movie. Besides, Maggie Smith's charm will have viewers glued to the screen.