Poldark has come to an end, at least for now, and many fans are left wanting more of the epic romance, Aidan Turner’s frequent shirtless scenes, and captivating plot twists.
Although the series has concluded, there are still more books in the Poldark series for fans to dive into or hope for a return to television in the future. In the meantime, here are thirty-five other period dramas that might help fill the Poldark-shaped hole in your heart.
If you haven’t watched Poldark yet, do check out our review for more insight into this fantastic series.
WHERE TO WATCH
I’ve included current (as of March 2023) streaming options and where to purchase movies and series similar to Poldark available in the U.S., keeping in mind that availability may change.
To watch Poldark, you can stream it on Prime Video, PBS Passport, and PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel. You can also buy it digitally or on DVD.
MOVIES AND SHOWS LIKE POLDARK TO WATCH
1. THE MUSKETEERS (2014-2016)
Why Watch: Filled with romance, action, and dashing period drama men. Santiago Cabrera’s Aramis is particularly watchable.
Where to Watch: Stream on Hulu, Prime Video, Roku Channel, Crackle, Pluto TV, and the CW Seed. Available for purchase on Digital or DVD.
2. POLDARK (1975-1977) & (1996)
Why Watch: What’s better than Poldark? Watching earlier adaptations! Compare the 1975 series and the 1996 TV movie featuring Ioan Gruffudd.
Where to Watch (1975): Stream on Acorn TV, Acorn TV on Amazon, Hoopla, or buy on Digital/DVD.
Where to Watch (1996): Available on Britbox Amazon Channel, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Plex, or purchase on Digital/DVD.
3. HORATIO HORNBLOWER (1998-2003)
Why Watch: With eight television films set in a similar Georgian period, it’s a treasure trove for fans. Ioan Gruffudd shines.
Where to Watch: Purchase on DVD.
4. WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939, 1970, 1992)
Why Watch: These adaptations explore the broody, Byronic hero similar to Ross Poldark. Particularly noteworthy are Laurence Olivier’s and Timothy Dalton’s performances.
Where to Watch: Various platforms including Prime Video and Kanopy (check individual adaptations for details).
5. JANE EYRE (1983 & 2006)
Why Watch: Charlotte Bronte’s classic featuring Byronic Hero archetypes and faithful adaptations capturing the novel’s essence.
Where to Watch (1983): Britbox, Britbox on Amazon, and Plex.
Where to Watch (2006): Hulu, Britbox, Britbox on Amazon, and Crackle.
6. WOLF HALL (2015)
Why Watch: Engaging period drama about Henry VIII and his wives featuring outstanding British actors.
Where to Watch: Hoopla and PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel.
7. VICTORIA (2016-)
Why Watch: Swoon-worthy romances set in the royal court, capturing the Upstairs/Downstairs vibe similar to Poldark.
Where to Watch: PBS Passport, Prime Video, and PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel.
8. REIGN (2013-2017)
Why Watch: Highly entertaining, if not historically accurate, drama about Mary Queen of Scots with engaging romances.
Where to Watch: CW app and the CW Seed.
9. JAMESTOWN (2017-2019)
Why Watch: Intriguing period drama with strong performances and gripping plotlines.
Where to Watch: PBS Passport, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, and Amazon’s Freevee.
10. TURN: WASHINGTON’S SPIES (2014-2017)
Why Watch: Focuses on America’s first spy ring during the American Revolutionary War. Fans will enjoy the riveting storytelling.
Where to Watch: AMC+.
11. LES MISERABLES (1998)
Why Watch: Offers a tender romance and a compelling narrative, though some content is omitted from the original book.
Where to Watch: HBO Max. Rent/buy on Digital or DVD.
12. ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE (2018)
Why Watch: See Eleanor Tomlinson in a period mystery setting.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime.
13. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (2015)
Why Watch: Another period mystery starring Aidan Turner, perfect for Poldark fans.
Where to Watch: Hoopla, Acorn TV, and Acorn TV Amazon Channel.
14. VANITY FAIR (2018)
Why Watch: For those who understand Elizabeth’s choices in Poldark, this story of ambition and societal maneuvering is compelling.
Where to Watch: Prime Video.
15. THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (2018)
Why Watch: This period adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic features Eleanor Tomlinson.
Where to Watch: Peacock, AMC+, Roku, Tubi, Crackle, and Pluto TV.
16. THE WOMAN IN WHITE (2018)
Why Watch: An excellent Gothic detective story adaptation with two strong female leads.
Where to Watch: PBS Passport, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel.
17. THE PARADISE (2012-2013)
Why Watch: Follows the ambitions of a young woman in a Victorian department store, featuring Ruby Bentall from Poldark.
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Britbox, or Britbox Amazon Channel.
18. FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (2015)
Why Watch: Victorian England setting with themes of love, betrayal, and redemption.
Where to Watch: Rent/buy on Digital or DVD.
19. LORNA DOONE (2000)
Why Watch: Set in a similar period to Poldark with themes of classism and star-crossed romance.
Where to Watch: Britbox.
20. AMAZING GRACE (2006)
Why Watch: Features characters fighting for justice, similar to Ross Poldark’s causes.
Where to Watch: Rent/buy on Digital or DVD.
21. BELLE (2013)
Why Watch: Set around the same time as Poldark, focusing on romance and social justice.
Where to Watch: HBO Max or rent/buy on Digital or DVD.
22. LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD (2008-2011)
Why Watch: An uplifting and warm period drama, perfect for a break from darker narratives.
Where to Watch: Britbox, Britbox Amazon Channel.
23. LITTLE DORRIT (2008)
Why Watch: Top-notch British miniseries with a fantastic script and cast, including Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen.
Where to Watch: Britbox, Britbox Amazon Channel.
24. BLEAK HOUSE (2005)
Why Watch: A well-made period drama involving a will in the center of the plot, adapted from Dickens.
Where to Watch: Britbox, Britbox Amazon Channel, or Hulu.
25. MERCY STREET (2016-2017)
Why Watch: Fans of Dr. Enys will enjoy this American period drama focusing on the medical field.
Where to Watch: Freevee, PBS Passport, or PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel.
26. DOWNTON ABBEY (2010-2015)
Why Watch: A classic with beloved characters, perfect for rewatching.
Where to Watch: Britbox, Britbox Amazon Channel, Prime Video, Peacock, PBS Passport, or Roku.
27. MY COUSIN RACHEL (2017)
Why Watch: Similar Cornwall setting with a Gothic period narrative.
Where to Watch: Rent/buy on Digital or DVD.
28. BECOMING JANE (2007)
Why Watch: A lovely fictionalized movie about Jane Austen’s romance with Tom Lefroy.
Where to Watch: Paramount+, Hoopla, Pluto TV.
29. SANDITON (2019-2023)
Why Watch: Great romantic storylines, especially in the first season.
Where to Watch: PBS Passport or PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel.
30. BELGRAVIA (2020)
Why Watch: A six-episode miniseries with romance and engaging female characters.
Where to Watch: DVD or MGM+.
31. BEECHAM HOUSE (2019)
Why Watch: Features promising actor Tom Bateman alongside a diverse cast and beautiful production design.
Where to Watch: PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel.
32. ANNE WITH AN E (2017-2020)
Why Watch: Based on Anne of Green Gables, it’s darker than other adaptations but offers a compelling narrative.
Where to Watch: Netflix.
33. THE ENGLISH GAME (2020)
Why Watch: Fantastic writing from Julian Fellowes with engaging characters.
Where to Watch: Netflix.
34. CURSED (2020)
Why Watch: Historical fantasy romance featuring actors familiar to Poldark fans.
Where to Watch: Netflix.
35. NORTH AND SOUTH (2004)
Why Watch: A gripping period drama with Richard Armitage that shares thematic similarities with Poldark.
Where to Watch: Britbox or on DVD.
BONUS: EVEN MORE TV SHOWS AND MOVIES LIKE POLDARK
– All Creatures Great and Small
– Around the World in 80 Days
– Beauty and the Beast (1946, 2014, 2017)
– Being Human (TV-MA) – stars Aidan Turner
– Bridgerton (TV-MA)
– Call the Midwife
– The Crown (TV-MA)
– Dalgliesh – for fans of intellectual series
– Death Comes to Pemberley – starring Eleanor Tomlinson
– Desperate Romantics (TV-MA) – more Aidan Turner brooding
– Dickensian
– The Dig
– A Discovery of Witches (TV-MA) – fantasy romance with time travel
– Doctor Thorne – featuring Harry Richardson
– Dracula (2013)
– Effie Gray
– Emily (2022) (Rated R)
– Emma – numerous adaptations including the 2009 miniseries
– The English (TV-MA) – notable for lead chemistry
– The Essex Serpent – boasts Romanticism and scenery
– The Forsyte Saga
– The Gilded Age (TV-MA) – Julian Fellowes’ period drama
– Grand Hotel
– Great Expectations – numerous adaptations
– The Hobbit Trilogy – for obvious reasons!
– Howards End (2017)
– The Illusionist – featuring young Eleanor Tomlinson
– Jamaica Inn (2014) – set in Cornwall
– Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
– Leonardo (TV-MA) – starring Aidan Turner
– The Living and the Dead
– Mansfield Park (1999)
– Miss Scarlet and the Duke – brooding leading men
– Mr. Malcolm’s List
– Mr. Selfridge
– The Nevers (TV-MA) – Eleanor Tomlinson’s presence
– Northanger Abbey (2007)
– Outlander (TV-MA) – time travel love story starring Sam Heughan
– Pachinko (TV-MA) – multi-generational saga like Poldark
– The Personal History of David Copperfield
– Persuasion (1995, 2007)
– Pride and Prejudice (1995, 2005)
– Rebecca (1997) – set in Cornwall
– Scholar Who Walks the Night – Kdrama with broody lead
– Sense and Sensibility (1995, 2008)
– Shadow and Bone
– Spencer (Rated R) – starring Jack Farthing
– The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – featuring Beatie Edney
– To Walk Invisible
– The Vineyard
– The White Queen and The Spanish Princess (TV-MA)
Consider giving some of these period dramas a try to fill the void left by Poldark’s conclusion. Enjoy immersing yourself in these captivating stories and characters!
