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5 Period Dramas That Will Keep You Hooked!

Author: Manoj Upadhyay
by Manoj Upadhyay
Posted: Dec 31, 2020

We depend heavily on media and entertainment when it comes to leisure and who doesn’t like watching movies? In fact, movies and TV series have been everyone’s best friends in the lockdown, thanks to the pandemic. They are what have helped us survive the months of isolation and quarantine – Netflix and Amazon Prime have made it so much easier for us during the last few months.

That said, period dramas have been on a lot of watchlists recently. Why? Perhaps it's the escapism we're afforded by looking into an era we don't live in, or the aesthetic that's unfamiliar to our own - or maybe it's the lavish production that often accompanies period pieces, offering endless hours of dreaming and distraction – there’s something comforting about them.

The costumes, the history, the grandiosity of it all – one can’t help but dream about living in the Victorian or Mughal era, in periods that are so steeped in history and culture. From modern, post-war dramas to expert on-screen translations of classic novels and royal scandals, these series are so gloriously made, you'll quickly find yourself binge-watching them all weekend.

So, here we explore 5 best period pieces of all time, each with excellent actors, brilliant performances, and sets that you simply cannot miss!

  1. Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is the period piece that needs no introduction. Spanning from 1912 to 1926, the show captures the busy, bursting activity of Downton Abbey, the Crawley family's aristocratic house in the English countryside. The series boasts of an exemplary star cast and outstanding performances that are sure to get you hooked.

  1. The Crown

Thanks to this sumptuous Netflix show, the English royal family is rendered accessible. Offering insights into the inner dynamics and workings of the British royal family, the show takes Queen Elizabeth II as its focus, tracking her life since she was young up until more recent years. It has received acclaim for its acting performances, cinematography and gripping story-telling.

  1. Outlander

All period pieces are a form of time travel – bringing you back to another era. Outlander is set apart in that it features literal time travel: Claire Frasier touches enchanted stones in Scotland, and is transported back to the 18th century. So begins an adventure – and romance – that is unforgettable, and worth planning a trip to Scotland for. Prepare an Outlander-themed feast to go along with your binge-watch.

  1. Pride and Prejudice

It would be a shame not to include Pride and Prejudice on this list. Any Austen fanatic will quickly attest that Pride & Prejudice was her one of the author's best works. So, when it was decided to reimagine the classic novel in series form it was a match made in British culture heaven. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth star as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, who realise that, despite their different temperaments and social standings, they are perfect for one another. The pairings are believable, the supporting cast excellent, and it accurately represents Austen's intelligent, sharp dialogue.

  1. Life is Beautiful

The triple Oscar-winning Life is Beautiful is about a Jewish man who uses humour to shield his young son from the horrors of living in a concentration camp. One of the highest-grossing foreign language films of all time (directed by Italian-born Roberto Benigni), the tear-jerking movie stirred controversy when it was first released in 1997, for allegedly diminishing the suffering of Jews during the Holocaust.

  1. Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte’s classic, Jane Eyre was brought to life by director Cary Joji Fukunaga and is a splendid example of how to tackle the daunting duty of turning a beloved work of classic literature into a movie. With beautiful, deep performances and sets, the movie is a must watch!

About the Author

A digital marketer & content creator with an extensive experience of 7 years working with my passion.

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Author: Manoj Upadhyay

Manoj Upadhyay

Member since: Nov 02, 2020
Published articles: 28

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