‘Downton Abbey’, ‘The Crown’ and many more: Period dramas for your watchlist

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In recent times, period dramas have gained a massive level of popularity, possibly due to our interest in learning about a time which we did not inhabit or perhaps because the aesthetics of that time have become fashionable . TV shows, movies and stage plays in this genre have served as gateways to different times, lives and cultures that can be quite intriguing to learn about.

With this in mind, we have compiled a list of six period pieces, from both TV and film, for your viewing pleasure.

Downton Abbey
No introduction is necessary for “Downton Abbey”. The aristocratic home of the Crawley family in the English countryside, Downton Abbey is the main setting of the show, existing between the years 1912 to 1926. A primary point of contention, is the upstairs and downstairs settings—where the Crawley family and their servants, respectively, reside—are given an equal focus throughout the show. The cast of “Downton Abbey” returned for not one, but two feature films following the 52 episodes of the TV show.

The Great
In spite of the popularity of the 18th century as a setting for historical fiction, this Emmy-nominated dark comedy series about Catherine the Great’s ascent to power in Russia departs significantly from other works set in that era. As the slogan makes clear, it’s just a “largely true narrative”, so it also includes comic oddities like a toad prophesying when Catherine will give birth and a crocodile will be let loose in the castle. If nothing else, this show is difficult to leave once you start, especially because of Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning’s captivating performance as Emperor Peter and Catherine, respectively.

The Crown
In this series, the fictional lives of the British Royal family is made available to the public. The project, which has a six-season order and a fifth-season premiere date of November 9, 2022, chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II across several decades. “The Crown” provides rulers interiority and sheds new light on historical events. Even the staunchest opponents of the monarchy and critics of historical dramas have become fans of this show.

The Favourite
Now, it’s time for a different queen-centred film, that is unparalleled by everything that has come before. The black comedy by Yorgos Lanthimos, which stars an all-star cast including Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz, is set at Queen Anne’s court in the 18th century. The film centres around the lives of her two “favourites” (Weisz and Stone), who engage in a ruthless game of one-upmanship. In 2019, the movie received an astounding 10 Oscar nominations, earning Colman the Best Actress award.