35 Best Period Dramas To Stream On Amazon Prime

Period dramas on Amazon Prime Video are a phenomenal form of escapism. This drama sub-genre can harken back to any era viewers want, sweeping the audience into Victorian-era England, the United States during the Civil War, or even across the world to the ancient empires of China. Whether fans want to see drama, history, or just incredible production, costuming, and makeup, Prime Video offers standout titles that fit the bill. These shows range from quiet romances to violent epics, from recent history to far in the past, but no matter the time period, Amazon Prime has got its subscribers covered.

With one of the largest catalogs of movies and television series ever, it is often hard to find the best Prime Video series to watch, as some require other subscriptions to PBS Masterpiece, and others are on the sub-service Freevee (which is free to watch on Prime Video but not exclusive to the subscription plan). From Brittania‘s ancient Roman story and the Downton Abbey timeline in the early 1900s to Grantchester‘s thrilling ’50s detective mysteries, there’s a period drama for everyone on Prime Video.

35 The Chosen (2017-Present)

Judaea In The 1st Century

The Chosen is a historical drama series for people with a more religious taste. The series is the first to ever follow the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and is mostly about his travels, the people he meets, and the followers he picks up along the way. Jonathan Roumie stars as Jesus. The Chosen was a huge success thanks mostly to the fact it was a crowd-funded series and has become one of the most successful crowd-funded TV shows in history (via The Wall Street Journal).

The show has had four seasons so far, and all are available to stream for anyone with a Prime Video membership. The first season sees Jesus as he calls his disciples to follow him and works his first miracles. The second featured the Sermon on the Mount and the eventual betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Season 3 featured him walking on water and troubling the governing bodies, while season 4 saw King Herod order John the Baptist’s execution and Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem.

Each season has eight episodes and a Christmas special. As of 2024, there have been 200 million viewers and 770 million episode views (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution). It has also received several awards at the Movieguide, K-Love Fan, GMA Dove, and the Museum of the Bible ceremonies.

34 My Lady Jane (2024)

An Alternate 16th-Century England

In 2024, Prime Video released the new historical fantasy romance series My Lady Jane. This series was made specifically for Prime Video and stars Emily Bader as Lady Jane Grey. In real life, Jane was an English noblewoman who claimed the throne of England and Ireland for nine days in 1553 before Bloody Mary had her executed when she was only a teenager. However, this is a fantasy series and takes place in an alternate England, where Ethians exist — humans who can take animal form.

My Lady Jane had eight episodes in its first season, but Amazon canceled it. However, despite the cancelation, it was a huge hit with genre fans. Even Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin shared a petition to save the show after Amazon’s decision. “Knowing her talents, it did not surprise me that My Lady Jane was so much fun,” Martin wrote before acknowledging the petition. “Got to love the fans. I wish them luck. Jane deserved more than nine days, or eight episodes.” (via People).

33 Beecham House (2019)

1795 New Delhi

Released in 2019, Beecham House has been called a “Delhi Downton Abbey” by fans. Set in 1795, John Beecham (Tom Bateman) is a former soldier with the East India Company who is “determined to make the house his safe haven.” Much like Downton Abbey, the show focuses on the life of a family and their nearest and dearest as historical events happen around them.

The time frame puts Delhi right before the British ruled the area in the 19th century, and it follows John Beecham as he buys a mansion and starts a life with his family. However, his past with the East India Company always threatens to disrupt his life and threaten the safety of his family. The show’s producer, Gurinder Chadha, was also responsible for Bend It Like Beckham and Bride & Prejudice. The series lasted six episodes and ended with a cliffhanger.

32 Enemy At The Door (1978-1980)

Europe In World War II

Enemy at the Door is a World War II television drama airing from 1978 to 1980. The series, which lasted two seasons, followed the German occupation of Guernsey during World War II and was made by London Weekend Television for ITV. The show depicted the conflict between the Germans and the islanders, represented by Philip Martel (Bernard Horsfall), the local doctor. The Germans were represented by Major Dieter Richter (Alfred Burke), a peacetime academic, and two villainous SS counterparts.

The series ended up playing out as a drama, with the islanders trying to make their lives more suitable despite the German occupation of their home. There were 26 total episodes, but Enemy at the Door was canceled without an actual resolution to the story, and the Germans are still occupying the island. Enemy at the Door received positive reviews, with critics praising its nuance in showing two warring sides working together in a harsh situation.

31 To Walk Invisible: The Brontë Sisters (2019)

The Brontë Family In 1840s England

The Brontë family is a 19th-century literary family that included three sisters who all became renowned poets and novelists. They are responsible for some of the greatest masterpieces of their era. Charlotte Brontë wrote Jane Eyre, Emily Brontë wrote Wuthering Heights, and Anne Brontë wrote The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. The BBC One series To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters tells their story, with the title referring to the fact that they wrote their acclaimed novels, but Charlotte didn’t reveal their identities until after two of them died.

Starting in 1845, To Walk Invisible follows the sisters as they begin to send out their novels for possible publication and find success, all while their lives at home leave much to be desired. The series was a two-episode release but is mostly the length of a regular movie. On Prime Video, it is listed as a two-part series, with each episode an hour in length. To Walk Invisible has an impressive 83% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

30 The Indian Doctor (2010)

1963 South Wales Mining Village

The Indian Doctor was initially a five-part series released on BBC One in 2010 and is now available for Prime Video subscribers to re-discover. In the series, Sanjeev Bhaskar stars as Dr. Prem Sharma, the titular Indian doctor who finds work in a South Wales mining village. He and his wife Kamini Sharma (Ayesha Dharker) move to the village, only to experience a major culture clash when he realizes that the mining manager has ignored safety issues, putting the workers in danger.

The series is based on real-life events and Prem Subberwal, an NHS doctor in a Welsh village who realized the struggles of doing his job thanks to a limited understanding of the Welsh accent and various colloquialisms that the people used with him. The first season was so popular that The Indian Doctor returned for a second season two years later and finished with three seasons and 15 episodes. However, only the first season is available on Prime Video, while the other two seasons require the Acorns TV add-on.

29 Jamestown (2017)

The First English Settlers In 1619

Created by the same company behind Downton Abbey, the historical epic drama series Jamestown tells the story of the first English settlers as they settled into their new home in the New World in 1619. The main roles go to a group of women who are destined to marry the men of Jamestown, including three who are a little more free-spirited than the others. Naomi Battrick, Sophie Rundle, and Niamh Walsh lead the cast as the three free-spirited women, Jocelyn, Alice, and Verity.

Jamestown premiered in 2017 and lasted for three seasons and 24 episodes. It mostly followed the three women as they either married those whom they were betrothed to or found their own way in the New World. It also showed how Jamestown gave way to democracy and distanced itself from the English government. Critics compared it to an “expensive soap opera,” but it still received positive reviews as a fun show with a strong portrayal of women despite the era it represents.

28 Luoyang (2021)

Zhou Dynasty In China

Luoyang is a Chinese period drama about three people from different social classes who work together to solve a mystery during the Zhou Dynasty. As these people dig for answers, they realize there is more to the situation than they ever expected and come across a major conspiracy. It all starts when Wu Siyue (Victoria Song), a palace guard, realizes that informants are murdered when they arrive in Luoyang, despite the Empress (Yong Mei) encouraging informants to come to her.

The series has plenty of twists and turns in the story, which is not only about solving a mystery but also about the relationships between the three people looking into the case. There are 39 episodes, checking in at about 40 minutes each, so this is a big series to dig into, and it is all available to stream on Prime Video.

27 The Village (2013)

Early 20th Century Derbyshire

The Village is a 2013 BBC series created by Peter Moffat, a British playwright, who based the story on his grandfather and great-grandfather, who were shepherds in Tyeedsmuir. Set in a Derbyshire village in the early 20th century, the BBC series tells the story of Bert Middleton, with five actors playing him at different parts of his life, from childhood to his elder years. Also playing a big role are his alcoholic father, a farmer, and his mother, Grace.

The series is the antithesis of the period drama
Downton Abbey

The series is the antithesis of the period drama Downton Abbey. While that series is about the wealthy and their working servants, this places the story in the eyes of a working-class family. The series has two seasons and 12 episodes on Prime Video, with the story starting in 1914. The first season received positive reviews, but the second faltered somewhat as it became a little more light-hearted and marked the end of the series.

26 A Dream Of Splendor (2022)

Northern Song Dynasty Of China

A Dream of Splendor is a period drama based in China during the Northern Song Dynasty. Based on the drama by Guan Hanqing, the series follows Zhao Pan-Er, the owner of a famous tea shop in Qian-Tang. She supported her lover for three years as he worked to take the imperial exam, and he promised to marry her once he passed it. When she learns her fiancé has agreed to marry someone else, she goes to find him and learn the truth.

Along the way, she meets several other people and experiences wild moments in their lives. She meets a commander framed for a crime. She meets a woman tricked into a marriage, only to become abused, and she also a woman driven to attempt suicide after heartbreak. These experiences help form Zhao Pan-Er into a strong woman who finally finds her place in the world. A Dream of Splendor won the Outstanding TV Series Award at the China TV Drama Selection Awards.

25 The History Of Tom Jones: A Foundling (1997)

1700s England

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding, is widely considered one of the greatest novels ever written. It has received many adaptations over the years, and there is a period drama from 1997 on Prime Video that is one of the more interesting of these. In the story, Tom Jones is a charming man, born poor, and he eventually heads to London when he falls for a neighbor’s daughter, Sophia.

The cast in this five-episode series is incredible. Max Beesley stars as Tom Jones, while Samantha Mathis plays Sophia in this version of the story. Stars like James D’Arcy, Peter Capaldi, and John Sessions also appear in the movie. The series originally aired on BBC, and the series won three BAFTAs, including Best Costume Design, Best Makeup/Hair, and Best Original Television Music (Jim Parker).

24 The Rebel Princess (2021)

Ancient China

The Rebel Princess is a period drama that is set in the fictional Cheng Dynasty, featuring a story that involves the imperial family and the noble clans of the area. The clans have been at war for years, with no consideration for the people, but two childhood sweethearts madly in love (Zhang Ziyi and Tony Yang) have a chance to change the future, but not without a lot of pushback and obstacles.

The series has 10 episodes available to stream on Prime Video, as it follows these young characters as they set out to change their kingdom for the betterment of the people. Notably, The Rebel Princess marks the first time that Chinese movie star Zhang Ziyi worked on television. While there were complaints about Ziyi playing a teenager at the start of the series, it was wildly successful, and fans awarded it an 8.1 rating on IMDb.

23 Dickensian (2015)

Victorian London

As the title indicates, this British period drama is about the lives of Charles Dickens’s characters. The series lasted for one season, and there are 20 episodes that throw myriad Dickens characters into a story that takes place in one Victorian London neighborhood. There is also a mystery, as Inspector Bucket (Bleak House) investigates the murder of Ebenezer Scrooge’s partner, Jacob Marley (A Christmas Carol).

Created by Tony Jordan (EastEnders), he also brought in characters from Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, The Old Curiosity Shop, Our Mutual Friend, Barnaby Ridge, Martin Chusslewit, The Pickwick Papers, Hard Times, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Dombey and Son. Critics praised the series for its creative use of the old characters in a story that also added some Agatha Christie influences to the mix. The episodes are also only 30 minutes each, so it’s a quick watch on Prime Video.

22 The Duchess Of Duke Street (1976)

Late 19th Century London

The Duchess of Duke Street is a BBC period drama series from 1976 that stars Gemma Jones as Louisa Leyton Trotter, also known as the Duchess. Louisa is a woman who starts as a servant but then works hard to become a cook and eventually the proprietor of the upper-class Bentinck Hotel in London. The story itself is based on the real-life journey of Rosa Lewis (known as the Duchess of Jermyn Street), who ran the Cavendish Hotel in London.

Only the first season of The Duchess of Duke Street is available to stream without a BritBox subscription.

The series, of which only the first season is available to watch as part of a Prime Video subscription, had two total seasons, with 15 in the first and 16 in the second. It even ends with Louisa permitting a woman to write her autobiography, which is hinted to be the basis for this series. The series was a success in America as well, airing on PBS and picking up an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Limited Series in 1980.

21 Wish Me Luck (1988)

World War II

Wish Me Luck is a war-based period drama about British women who went undercover as secret agents during World War II. Originally airing on ITV from 1988 to 1990, the series had three seasons and 23 episodes to tell its story. Overall, Wish Me Luck is a great watch as it showcases strong women dealing with extreme conditions during wartime. Also, the main organization they worked for is based on the real-life Special Operations Executive, formed in the United Kingdom in 1940.

Much of the dialogue is actually copied from Nancy Wake’s autobiography,
The White Mouse
.

The first two seasons were based on the missions of real-life SOE agent Nancy Wake (with fictional recruits Liz Grainger/Celeste and Matty Firman/Aimee in the roles), and much of the dialogue is actually verbatim from Nancy Wake’s autobiography, The White Mouse. Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones Diary, Harry Potter franchise) made one of her first television appearances in season 3.

20 Ming Dynasty (2019)

The Ming Dynasty In China

Ming Dynasty is a period drama focusing on the titular era in Chinese history. The story itself centers on Empress Sun, the empress consort of the Xuande Emperor, and is loosely based on the novel The Chronicle of the Six Eras by Lianjing Zhuyi. The series follows two young women whose families were executed after the successful insurrection against Jianwen Emperor.

One daughter is adopted and becomes a maid in the Imperial Palace, and the other is adopted by a general loyal to the previous emperor. The two women then grow in very different ways, which creates great drama as the series showcases this era through their individual lives. The series was a huge success both in China and across the world, and it ended up nominated for awards at both the 26th Shanghai Television Festival and the 30th China TV Golden Eagle Awards.

19 Lillie (1978)

1860s England

Lillie is an older period drama on Prime Video, initially released in 1978 by ITV. The series follows Lillie Langtry (Francesca Annis), a girl raised alongside her brothers who grew up to be independently minded. This fact often puts her at odds with those around her, including her father and later her many wealthy admirers. Along the way, Lillie meets and loves real-life figures of the era, including Oscar Wilde and the Prince of Wales.

Annis first played Lillie in the 1975 ATV series
Edward the Seventh.

Annis first played Lillie in the 1975 ATV series Edward the Seventh. This series, at only 13 episodes in length, tells her story of growing up from a rough childhood to becoming a renowned actress. Annis received high critical praise for the role, winning a BAFTA for Best Actress in 1979. The series itself won two different BAFTA awards (the second being for Best Makeup).

18 Mercy Street (2016)

The American Civil War

Amazon Prime Video has the first season of the American Civil War period drama Mercy Street available to stream. The series follows two volunteer nurses from different sides of the war who work at the Mansion House Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. What plays out is a hospital drama series where a Southern family’s hospital is turned into a Union military hospital, causing a lot of strife and disagreements among the staff and patients.

Only the first season is available on Prime Video.

The first season did end with a cliffhanger after a failed assassination attempt, so for fans who want to see more of Mercy Street after that first season, Prime Video offers it with a subscription to PBC Masterpiece. There are two total seasons, each with six episodes. The series received mostly positive reviews as a period hospital drama, with praise going to its production values.

17 ANZAC Girls (2014)

The Western Front In World War I

ANZAC Girls is an Australian period drama. It is a one-season, six-part series that tells the true stories of the nurses serving overseas on the Western Front during World War I. The show follows the women who were part of the Australian Army Nursing Service. The nurses don’t only have to deal with doing their jobs, but they also have the challenges of witnessing the brutality and heroism during this terrible war.

It is based on the novel
The Other ANZACs
by Peter Rees.

It is based on the novel The Other ANZACs by Peter Rees, along with research from the era, using diaries, letters, historical documents, and photographs. The book was actually re-released with the TV show’s title as a tie-in for fans. ANZAC Girls was critically acclaimed and was a huge success when released. It won several Australian film awards from the AWGIE Awards, ACS State Awards, ASSG Awards, and AACTA Awards.

16 The Paradise (2013-2014)

1875 England

The Paradise is a British period drama on Prime Video that was co-produced by BBC Studios and Masterpiece. Based on the novel Au Bonheur des Dames by Émile Zola, the series relocates the action from France to England in 1875 and tells the story of the people who work, shop, and trade in the very first English high-class department store (called The Paradise), following their lives and loves.

The series lasted two seasons and 16 episodes and follows a new young woman in town (Joanna Vanderham), who catches the eye of the widowed owner of The Paradise (Emun Elliott), which puts her at odds with the other women who have been eyeing him. The series was popular during its two-season run, with a 76% critics rating at Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive 82% audience score.