Top 10 Shows to Watch After Bridgerton
“Fridgerton” is here for a while still, so here are ten shows to watch while we wait it out!
10. Sex Education
You might come for Simone Ashley but you'll stay for the complex characters, strong storylines, and genuine humor. It is somehow both deeply earnest and honestly a bit a raunchy, though necessary to the premise. The dynamics between the main characters, led by the likes of Asa Butterfield and the stellar Emma Mackey, as well as Gillian Anderson herself, are phenomenal. It's thoroughly sex positive while having emotional messages that at times left me in tears. If what you love about Bridgerton is interpersonal relationships and diversity, this is a great show to pick. Obviously it's more on the comedic side, but it's certainly a dramedy, with a deep and powerful storylines interlaced with absurdist humor. It's a unique concept and executed very well.
9. White Queen/Princess, Spanish, Becoming Elizabeth
Taking place in the Starz universe based on the books of Phillipa Gregory, these four shows are certainly interrelated and tell a long story of the lineage of the Tudors, all the way back to the Wars of the Roses. Starting with The White Queen, my personal favorite and what I believe to be the best of the series, in civil war ravaged England, there is a hot young with a wild libido and a gorgeous widow he makes his queen. That leads to their daughter eventually marrying the first Tudor king, Henry VII in an effort to end the fighting between York and Lancaster. That's the events of the White Princess. They are, of course, parents to Henry VIII, whose first marriage to Catherine of Aragon is detailed in the two seasons of The Spanish Princess. The first season is better than the second in that one. And then there is Becoming Elizabeth, the newest offering about yet another generation. Henry VIII's children, namely Elizabeth, grow up in this new series, one of England's most famous monarchs going through her young womanhood. Obviously this is a lot and spans four generations, but it's worth the watch and is immersive in this world. Each show is unique in cast and style, and some are better than others. But if the intrigue, based on books, period drama elements are what you loved about Bridgerton, these are great next steps. It's beautiful, sexy, and female centered, and there is some great stuff to be seen.
8. The Vampire Diaries
There was no way we were getting through this list without me recommending my first true obsession! The Vampire Diaries is classic teen vampire fare, but done in such a dramatic and obsessable way that it takes the crown for me. Elena is orphaned, with complicated relationships around her, and a handsome, mysterious new boy at school, Stefan, who is immediately into her. Then of course there is Stefan's brother, Damon, who is dark and dangerous. It has a very Buffy vibe at times, but is more moody and dramatic. The story is genuinely interesting, and the sheer number of shippable couples is enough to make any fangirl lose her mind. The push and pull of a person torn between feelings for siblings is a bit odd when you look at it to hard, but if you just roll with it, it makes for some truly spectacular moments. There is no shortage of drama, hot people, and some truly emotional and memorable moments. If what you loved about Bridgerton was the ensemble, the love triangle, or the drama, this is a great place to go. There is tons of content over 8 seasons, plus two spinoff shows. It's a great watch!
7. The Great
Another comedy, but this one set in 18th Century Russia, The Great is a unique, wild ride of absolutely riotous and raunchy, overly violent, and absurdist humor. If you love the historically inaccurate fiction elements of Bridgerton, plus the gorgeous costumes, and strong female leads, this is the show for you. Elle Fanning's Catherine is a queen -- er, Empress -- in every sense. She is a delight to watch and portrays both the good, the bad, and the ugly of being a revolutionary woman in dark times, oddly poignant for the moment, with sincerity, depth, and humor. Nicholas Hoult absolutely kills it as Peter, the spoiled, impulsive, and complicated man-child sitting on Russia's throne. The second season even manages to outdistance the first in shocking depth, powerful narrative arcs, and beautiful, ridiculous, impressive storytelling. Honestly at first, I was a little put off by the in your face nature of the jokes, the irreverence of the sex and violence, but that is an integral part of both the style and the message. Once I got used to that, it became something I could appreciate, and when I looked to the deeper meaning, it was more than I could ever wish in a show. It really is one of the best things on television right now, and I so deeply recommend it for your #fridgerton. It might even become a new obsession; it's certainly worth that level of devotion.
6. Downtown Abbey
This feels like the parent of all modern historical period dramas, the bridge between the old guard of stodgy and sometimes unrelatable, though still immersive and fantastic, and the new, sharper, faster-paced, sexier style. Downton Abbey still had that leisurely style and highbrow Englishness that Americans in particular seem to eat up, but it was a bit wilder and more scandalous than a lot of others we had seen. It's obviously still tame compared to something like Bridgerton, but it's saucier than Ms. Austen might have written. The truth is, this show seemed to reignite historical shows as pop culture touchstones. When I was in high school, everyone watched Downton, my mom and her friends down to me and mine. It's a powerful story with deep, human emotion, and a time period that marked change in the world in meaningful ways. They don't shy away from the difficult topics, but the blend of levity and peace with trauma and struggle is a good balance. The characters are memorable and the acting is phenomenal. I'm still not over some moments from this show, all these years later. If what you loved about Bridgerton was the ensemble cast, was the immersive experience of another time, this is a fabulous show to try!
5. Sanditon
One of the best shows of this type on TV right now, Sanditon is definitely part of this push to in some ways modernize Jane Austen. Though it doesn't have the same Millennial script as Netflix's Persuasion, there is definitely content Ms. Austen might have balked at. I mean...dude is getting a handy in the woods at one point, but I digress. The story is based on a partially finished novel Jane Austen began before her death, the contents of which are covered in episode 1. Everything else is pure creation from the modern writers and filmmakers. But Charlotte is a delightful if a bit frustrating and naive heroine. The Parker Brothers add a lot of diversity and color to the story. The dynamics of love and loss are twisty and complex, and if you love drama, a love triangle, and period pieces, this is a great place to go. It deals with race in a more practical and historical way than Bridgerton via the character of Georgiana and her interactions. The best storytelling comes from the dastardly Denhams and their semi-incestuous relationship. The characters are powerful, fascinating, and with a ton to offer. The show was canceled after one season, but happily brought back! They are in the process of getting S3 to screens, and they did a good job of creating something the same but different in S2 after the cancelation led to some changes I won't spoil. In any case, it's a great watch that, while imperfect, kept me engaged and interested for the duration, and excited to see what the next season has in store!
4. The Tudors
One of the first shows I know of to really push the "history is sexy" motif, The Tudors is a touchstone of fictionalized historical TV dramas. It really was Bridgerton before Bridgerton, playing fast and loose with history, prioritizing beautiful costumes, sexy situations, and so much drama. It delivers on deep emotion through the likes of Catherine of Aragon, portrays a spoiled yet engaging Henry, and offers up an assortment of fascinating and complex characters. Natalie Dormer's Anne Boleyn is an absolute gift and the role she was born to play. Henry Cavill also makes his mark as rougish Charles Brandon. Really, you can't go wrong with this series. This is one of the most interesting and rich time periods, with on of the most fascinating and mercurial monarchs, arguably the world's most prolific serial killer, and a host of powerful, strong, unique, maligned, and deeply intriguing women who stood with and against him. It's all done with phenomenal acting, spectacular music, and a true sense of being in the world it creates. Though it leans more to the serious than the fun, it really is a must watch for any Bridgerton fan.
3. Reign
This is probably the most similar to Bridgerton of any on this list. It balances wild drama, twisting romances, and beautiful costuming all set to modern music. It's perhaps a bit darker and a bit more teen-CW than Bridgerton, but it gives the story its own feel while portraying a sometimes true-ish version of history. The characters are engaging and the storylines range from dark fantasy to raw and emotional to sexy and fun. It allows for a lot of stories as the ensemble takes on large roles, though it is certainly Mary's story. It follows her and her Scottish ladies as they arrive at the French court, figuring out their lives, finding love, facing demons, their own and others. It's a delightful ride that always keeps you guessing, and ultimately follows the tragically powerful course of history. I definitely recommend it to any Bridgerton fans looking for their next binge. It doesn't hurt that it's populated with gorgeous people, led by strong women including Catherine de Medici, Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I. It definitely laid the groundwork for a lot of the Bridgerton style and interpretation of history as sexy, fun, and pseudo-modern as well as being an immersive dive into this version of the past.
2. Poldark
A spectacular example of a period drama, Poldark is definitely one that will rip you apart in the process of telling its story. Based on books but with an identity of its own, the show blends a softness of style with the brutality of things like war, mining and poverty, infidelity, betrayal, and loss. It gives powerful portraits of complex and flawed human beings, of unlikely pairs and heartbreaking realities. Ross comes home to England from fighting in the American Revolution to find his former fiance married to his cousin. He struggles to make his mines profitable again and become part of the community. That includes redheaded and slightly wild Demelza, who he hires on as a maid, and quickly becomes a lot more. It's smart, sexy, and engaging. It's a bit more paced than Downton but not as snappy as Bridgerton. It is beautifully immersive in the time and terrain. Aidan Turner provides a darkly sexy Ross Poldark, and the rest of the cast is filled out brilliantly across the seasons. It is heavier than Bridgerton, but for any period drama fan, this one is almost a must watch. And with an unconfirmed rumor that more might be coming, who knows what's in store?
1. Outlander
Really, there was no chance anything else was going to take the top spot. This show is one of my favorites of all time, and truly a masterpiece. A romance-centered period drama with action, heartbreak, and a love like no other, this is THE show in so many ways. I would be remiss if I didn't offer just the biggest of trigger warnings. For some people, the show is actually unwatchable, and that's totally understandable. I would never want to push anyone in blind. It's the rapes in particular that are hardest to watch, but they don't shy away from the violence and the pain either. This is not for the faint of heart. That isn't to say there isn't beauty and fun to be had, though. Episode 1.07 is what I call the happiest hour of television ever filmed, and I recommend giving yourself at least until that ep to see if it hooks you. There is a bit of a sci-fi element as WWII nurse Claire Randall falls through time to 1740s Scotland. But don't let that throw you: this is a period drama through and through, and the romance is top notch. It really is the story of lovers across decades, centuries, that makes this show what it is. Their love is at the center of it all. And seriously: Jamie Fraser. That's it. The man is everything we want in our romantic heroes and then some. If what you love about Bridgerton is the love conquers all, this takes that to a whole next level. If you love the progressive, female-centered, and powerfully evocative sex, wait until you see Outlander. It's Kate and Anthony's hottest moments, and there's about 50 of them all at that level in this series. They bring the heat, and they do so with the incredible emotional backing that leaves all other shows in the dust. This show will rip your heart out. It will crush your soul. It will leave you a devastated husk. Until they touch, until they kiss, until they fight and love and become one again because that's the only truth in a wild, confusing, impossible universe. If you want a show with a love like no other, it's Outlander all the way.
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