Since Shonda Rhimes launched Bridgerton, her first collaboration with Netflix, in 2020, fans have been unable to stop watching the many adventures of the main family and have been searching everywhere for shows like Bridgerton. Follow the romance of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and her brother’s handsome but mysterious friend, Duke Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page). Although he is initially determined never to settle down or have children, a little pressure from Daphne and her brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) convinces Simon to marry Daphne. They have five children together in this Regency-era period piece, which highlights the differing perspectives of two London families and the many plot twists and scandals that come with this mixed group. Bridgerton ended its third season in June 2024, and to the disappointment of fans, the series won’t be returning until 2026. While that may seem like a stretch, period pieces like this often take a long time to film thanks to their impeccable attention to detail. Thankfully, there are a number of other historical romance series that can provide a much-needed fix as fans count down to season four of the hugely popular show.
Another Shondaland creation in the Bridgerton universe is Queen Charlotte. The show debuts in 2023 with six episodes, and this spin-off focuses on a young Queen Charlotte. Viewers will get to see the beginning of her romance with King George in the early days of their reign in the late 1700s. It also adds quite a bit of background information that is especially helpful for understanding the events of Seasons 2 and 3. As of now, only one season of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available on Netflix.
Another perfect Bridgerton-like movie for your next binge is The Empress. Set in the 19th century, this Netflix production follows the Bavarian princess Elisabeth. After marrying Emperor Franz Joseph, Elisabeth, known throughout the story as Sisi, becomes the empress of Austria. However, there is an air of confusion, as Emperor Joseph once intended to marry Sisi’s sister, Duchess Helene. Despite this unsettling element, Sisi follows her heart and moves to Vienna, where she learns about the shady dealings of her new husband’s family. Season 2 will debut on Netflix on November 22. As The Buccaneers follows the lives of five American women in 1870s London high society, it will appeal to those who want to watch shows like Bridgerton that feature the same social climbing, power struggles, love, and drama. The main cast is extroverted and eccentric, which is not welcome in the strict game of husbands and titles that London’s debut season represents. Interpersonal relationships clash and tangle as the main cast navigates this strange and extremely restrictive setting. A treat for fans of period dramas, The Buccaneers streams on Apple TV+ and has been renewed for a second season in December 2023. The Crown is another Netflix original that has enjoyed six successful seasons on the streaming service. The sixth season aired in November 2023 and there don’t seem to be any plans for further seasons. However, there are still plenty of compelling episodes to keep you glued to your seat for a while. The show is based on the true story of the British royal family. It follows Queen Elizabeth II’s rise to power, starting in 1947 when she married Philip Mountbatten. The Crown explores their love story and family, including the 2005 wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. The show even looks at Princess Diana’s rise to the royal family before her sudden death in August 1997. Like Bridgerton, power, wealth, and love are at the heart of this show.
