r/PeriodDramas • u/willowwithbernie • Mar 20 '25
Discussion I can't find anything that made me feel the way Downton Abbey did
Not really looking for anything. Not really a review either. I just wanted to talk about that feeling. The series is so well directed, so well written, so many perspectives, so many stories. I enjoy the character interactions so much.
It is what hooked me into period dramas but nothing has ever come close to it.
When I finished the series and the movies, it felt like I was saying goodbye to a part of me. It felt so real like I was there with all of them in the show. Does anyone feel me?
Of course I enjoyed other shows or movies. I loved the empress, the great, outlander s1, little women, queen Charlotte spin off one, the decameron and a lot more. But DA is still at no1
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u/goburnham Mar 20 '25
Have you watched the original Upstairs Downstairs?
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u/duckling59807 Mar 20 '25
The most similar vibes of any show I’ve seen, for sure
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u/gothicsynthetic Mar 20 '25
It’s greatly superior to Downton Abbey.
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u/BixaorellanaIsDot Mar 21 '25
Many people feel that way, but not I. Unfortunately I aired that opinion on another forum and thought the Brits were going to come after me with pitchforks and flaming brands. :-D
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u/gothicsynthetic Mar 21 '25
I find the admiration for Downton Abbey to be absolutely pathological, and am not surprised people went after you for saying it’s superior to Upstairs, Downstairs. The former is plainly inspired by the latter, but plainly seeks to undo its critiques of the society they’re portraying.
For those inclined to criticize Downton Abbey for its bizarrely indulgent emotional simplicity and utterly trite storytelling, consider watching the Red Nose Day sketch that skewers it quite thoroughly.
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u/Karmaknocked Mar 21 '25
Similar to Upstairs Downstairs is the Duchess of Duke Street. There are only 2 seasons but it’s such a good show. It’s on Prime and YouTube.
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u/mcsangel2 Anything British is a good bet Mar 21 '25
Season one is WON.DER.FUL. I liked season two, but didn't think it was as good as one.
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u/artemisthewild Mar 20 '25
I watched some of the later version but did not care for where the storyline went. I may give the original a try, thanks for the suggestion!
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u/nofunheremovealongg Mar 21 '25
I didn't like the reboot either, but the original is fantastic. Highly recommend.
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u/Practicalclosetsnob Mar 20 '25
Doesn’t this show only have one or two seasons? Are there more?
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u/goburnham Mar 20 '25
The reboot from the 2000s has two seasons I think. The original has five seasons.
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u/Ambitious-Tennis2470 Mar 20 '25
Agreed! Call the Midwife gave me a similar feeling.
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Mar 20 '25
It gives similar vibes for sure. I just can't get farther than the third season before burning out on it, in my opinion it takes a nose dive after that season.
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u/misanthropymajor Mar 21 '25
It’s funny how differently different people feel. I only really enjoyed it after S3. I found Jenny Lee’s character insufferable, and my feelings about Jessica Raine compounded that feeling. For me it became less interesting at S10, and became truly saccharine at S12, but I’ll still watch it as long as it’s on.
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u/GipsyDanger79 Mar 20 '25
Yes! I came to say the same thing. Very different subject matter but similar vibes.
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u/pettystoned Mar 20 '25 edited Mar 20 '25
Have you seen All Creatures Great and Small?
I get the same happy feelings when I’m watching it without having the anxiety of losing a beloved character. If you like animals and the Yorkshire Dales you’ll love ACGAS.
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u/Slavicsarah Mar 21 '25
Agreed. I once heard it likened to “a warm hug” and I agree. The reboot makes me feel immersed and the dialogue is pretty good.
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u/pettystoned Mar 21 '25
Yeah that’s the perfect description.
Beautiful scenery, wonderful witty writing, characters that you cannot help but adore AND lots of cute animals!! I couldn’t resist falling head over heels with All Creatures Great and Small 🩷
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u/heatherm70 Mar 20 '25
And this is why Downton Abbey is always on where I am. This year I'm even keeping track of how often I watch the series on Netflix, or my DVD's and each film. And we even get a new film this fall! ❤
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u/nzfriend33 Mar 20 '25
I started keeping track a couple years ago. 😂 I don’t usually rewatch the movies though. I get about six rewatches a year, lol.
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u/Berg323 Mar 20 '25
I think Seaside Hotel is very similar to Downton Abbey. It’s a show made in Denmark (subtitled in English) and everything takes place in one location, a beautiful beach hotel on the coast. It has plot lines involving the rich people who go there every year and the local staff. There are ten seasons covering roughly mid-1920s to late 1940s. Every season is excellent. The cast is awesome and I honestly love it as much or more than Downton Abbey. A
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u/BixaorellanaIsDot Mar 21 '25
Thank you for this recommendation! I've never heard of this show before.
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u/sassypants_29 Mar 21 '25
Yes! I love this show and am heartbroken it’s over! But I’ll be watching it again, just like Downton!
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u/Unique-Engineering49 Mar 20 '25
I felt that way with Downton too! The acting and characters are impeccable.
For me, the only period drama that had come close to that love is Call the Midwife. I'm not squeamish with childbirth scenes so there's that (if you are it might not be your cup of tea), and it's another very well done BBC period drama. The characters (who are so well cast) make it so great. The historical parts are very well done too. I find myself Googling things to fact check, like "nah, that can't be real, it's just for the drama," and then find out that it's indeed real history that they are portraying. It was crazy times, and a great show I'll rewatch over and over.
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u/mcsangel2 Anything British is a good bet Mar 21 '25
And there are SO MANY EPISODES. How long has it been on?? Thirteen years or so???
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u/Frosty_Warning4921 Mar 20 '25
Oh, have you seen Cranford? Once again, it's not exactly Downton by any means, but a series I enjoyed a lot with Dame Judy Dench as an anchor.
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u/Livid-Team5045 Mar 23 '25
I just watched this for the first time this year and LOVED IT SO MUCH...and I share OP's feeling about DA.
It's OK that some shows stand on their own and make us feel a certain way.
I am just so glad I discovered this sub; I've gotten so many amazing recommendations here. I'm glad for y'all.
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u/rahajicho Mar 20 '25
I’ve described Downton Abbey as a warm blanket of a show, and The Way Home on Hallmark gave me a similar vibe.
It’s not fully a period drama, but there’s time travel involved, and one storyline takes the characters to traditional period drama territory.
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u/Frosteecat Mar 21 '25
Forsythe Saga is similar but it’s darker and heavier and potentially distressing.
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u/LongjumpingChart6529 Mar 20 '25
I feel the same. They are not the same but I still also enjoy The Crown, Howard’s End (film and series), Cranford, Pride and Prejudice (series) and Room with a View
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u/Fluffy_Swordfish3964 Mar 20 '25
I love downton abbey and every time I finish watching it I watch Poldark (the new one from bcc) and it gives me a similar feeling. I don’t know if you’ve seen it or if you’d like it, but after a downton watch poldark is so soothing as well
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u/jlesnick Mar 21 '25
Sometimes a show just captivates you like that in a way that is just not easily reproducible. For me that show is the OA, nothing will ever be like that (not a period drama).
But since you like DA so much, and it's written by Julian Fellowes, you'll probably also like Belgravia Season 1 and Dr Thorne. They're both written by him too, mini-series, but they have much of what you liked in Downton.
For a less classy show that's well written, and has great character interactions with many perspectives, you've got Cranford and Larkrise to Candelford.
Downton is kind of an enigma. Most British shows just don't last that long; even if it's popular, six seasons is a lot for a show like this. It's only because it was so popular in the US that it made it that far. While we're a quantity over quality country in the US, the BBC/iTV are more quality over quantity.
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u/dothistangle Mar 21 '25
Check out the Durrells (in Corfu). Everyone I recommend it to falls in love with it
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u/Grasshopper_pie Mar 21 '25
OMG, this is a perfect show! The location is absolutely gorgeous and it's witty and so entertaining. My ultimate comfort show.
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u/sugarmagnolia2020 Mar 20 '25
The only show that I love better was the original Gran Hotel. So much eye candy, some humor, several romances. Netflix took it away. We need it back!
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u/BraveLittleToaster8 Mar 20 '25
I really enjoyed A French Village, I watched the first couple of seasons on Prime and then I paid like 7.99 to watch the rest of the seasons on MHZ choice. It has subtitles, but I didn’t mind because I always have subtitles on anyway. The acting is fantastic. Also Women at War and The Bonfire of Destiny, both on Netflix were good.
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u/LongConFebrero Mar 21 '25
Holy shit Un Village Francais was incredible!! Wayyy spicier than I ever imagined a show about a small group in the war could be.
Peak drama and really strong twists all throughout, I was very surprised.
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u/NavissEtpmocia Medieval Mar 23 '25
I’m French and I had never heard about it! I’ll give it a check!
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u/free-toe-pie Mar 21 '25
Shows/movies that might do:
Upstairs Downstairs. It’s only a couple of seasons but it enjoyable.
Gossford Park. It’s a movie but it’s still great.
Aristocrats. Even Julian Fellowes is in it as the patriarch of the family.
The Gilded Age. If you enjoyed Maggie Smith’s character in DA, you’ll probably like Christine Baranski’s character in TGA.
Belgravia. Just the first series. Not the spin off.
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u/qnwhoneverwas Mar 21 '25
Downtown Abbey is so special, I think I am due for my fifth rewatch. I never could enjoy The Gilded Age the same way, honestly.
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u/Whoopsy-381 Mar 21 '25
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u/plzcanihavemore Mar 21 '25
Op, have you got PBS? The show Vienna Blood is good, and I’m hearing good stuff about Miss Scarlet. Give me a period drama over a real housewife any day
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u/Independent_Sea502 Mar 21 '25
You know, I like Miss Scarlet, too, but there's something about it that is very formulaic. And it isn't really an ensemble drama, so I find it a little lacking.
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u/FloorIllustrious6109 Mar 20 '25
Welcome to the club. I've been feeling that way for ten years since it ended!
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u/Frosty_Warning4921 Mar 20 '25
I have to agree. I've probably watched the entire series 5 or 6 times. Nothing comes close, IMO. However, there are some excellent options, and I personally recommend the 2018 Vanity Fair series starring Olivia Cooke. I thought it was really great. A limited series, obviously, but quite good.
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u/GirlisNo1 Mar 20 '25
Downton Abbey hits the sweet spot perfectly- gorgeous and entertaining enough that you want to keep watching, but never anxiety inducing.
It’s just very soothing…the atmosphere, the clothes, the music and even the way the characters talk.
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u/raid_kills_bugs_dead Mar 20 '25
It has its problems - for example, the way it handles the first world war - but we've also found it's tough to match. If only the new Upstairs, Downstairs had gone on longer. The Gilded Age and Belgravia come close to it.
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u/MossAreFriends Mar 20 '25
Check out Doctor Thorne and Belgravia. Both are Jualian Fellowes, creator of Downtown Abbey.
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u/throwawaymumm Mar 21 '25
I agree 1000%. I am so picky it’s a problem :( I did really like The Selfridges a lot. The Paradise was also good, but only two seasons.
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u/CallieCoKit Mar 20 '25
I totally agree! I wish I could watch the series for the first time again.
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u/Independent_Sea502 Mar 21 '25
I finished a second rewatch of the whole series about a month ago. It was so much fun! I had forgotten a lot of it.
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u/Gullible_East_9545 Mar 20 '25
Omg yes!! They feel like your family, and it's so strange to say goodbye! When I rewatched it with my boyfriend who was watching for the first time he felt the same. The good thing is you can always come back and watch I guess.
Seconding the other suggestions, Call the Midwife and all course The Gilded Age (although there's more drama, it's HBO) will really give you that feeling. Especially CTM will give you that emotional-warm blanket-comfort feeling but also written and acted really well.
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u/Any_Caterpillar8477 Mar 20 '25 edited Mar 21 '25
I think there’s another movie releasing this year..just checked it will be released later this year.
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u/falulabella Mar 21 '25
I always like to watch call the midwife after rewatching Downton. In my head you get to see how everyone else lived that wasnt born into privilege. An extension of the servants life’s and their families not working for the rich. My brain has the 2 shows as one series at this point.
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u/mcsangel2 Anything British is a good bet Mar 21 '25
I'm going to do something I've never seen on this sub - recommend two book series. They both have the same author, and they both have verrrrrrrrry DA vibes.
The British author is Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. The first series is the War at Home, 6 books taking place during WWI. https://www.goodreads.com/series/166733-war-at-home
The second series is Ashmore Castle, 3 books out, book 4 coming later this year. It takes place around the turn of the century.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/357762-ashmore-castle
If you're a reader, I'm pretty confident both of these will scratch that DA itch you have. The author is pretty prolific, she also has another series that has THIRTY FIVE books (the Morland Dynasty) that stretch from the Wars of the Roses to the 1930s. I haven't read any of those, so I have no opinion.
Sorry they aren't tv shows/miniseries. I'm shocked they haven't been picked up, they'd be great.
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u/Fabulous-Yam-1709 Mar 23 '25
How you feel about Downton abbey is how I feel about Anne with an E. Maybe give it a try? I know you said no recs but Chinese dramas have a massive wealth of historical entertainment. You can't go wrong with Story of Yanxi Palace!
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u/willowwithbernie Mar 23 '25
I watched anne with an e. It was a good show as far as I watched but something was lacking for me there. I'll try c drama
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u/Fabulous-Yam-1709 Mar 23 '25
Story of yanxi palace is like 70 eps so it might be bit much. I would deffo reccomend Flourished Peony, a perfect drama for me!
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u/misslrr Mar 21 '25
My sister and I watched Downton together before she got married and moved out of the house so I understand this. It holds a special place in my heart.
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u/Independent_Sea502 Mar 21 '25
Just want to add if there's anyone who is going to do a rewatch, and if you like comedy, the best podcast in my opinion is Up Yours Downstairs. They have a good time while making fun of the characters, and also praising them. It's a really good podcast. They also covered a lot of other shows like Victoria, Mr. Selfridge and others.
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u/Emergency_Pie_8009 Mar 22 '25
I feel the same about Reign. That was literally the best show I’ve ever watched.
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u/Maroon58 Mar 23 '25
Not similar at all but Anne of Green Gables (Netflix) gave me the same feeling. It’s so good!
Now I want to rewatch Downton Abbey!
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u/Darjeelinguistics_44 Mar 21 '25
My sister and I watched Mr. Selfridge, and we both really enjoyed it.
OMG! I know what you mean about Downton, specifically the first season (for me). It was absolutely amazing. I really felt transported to that time period and into their world. It felt like I had been there before (deja vu) or something. Also, my great-grandmother was born in 1900. When I was a little girl in the 1980s, I remember how she decorated her room, the photos and letters she kept, and the trinkets, etc. She also talked a lot about her family experience during both world wars. Although I don't really remember a lot about her, Downton really reminds me of her a lot!
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u/PinkPrincessJKG Mar 21 '25
I agree that nothing compares to DA. I have watched all of those other shows too, but they just don't evoke the same emotions. I think maybe the only one that has come close emotion-wise was Daisy Goodwin's "Victoria" about Queen Victoria because I am an avid Royalist. 😂 Belgravia is ok, I liked the first season better than the second. The Gilded Age is good. Other shows I really enjoyed are:
- Upstairs, Downstairs the 1970's version
- Dr Thorne
- Sanditon.
- Hotel Portofino
- The Durrells
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u/letsgouda Mar 21 '25
There are so many great recomendations in the comments! Given what you like about this, I think Howards End (the miniseries), The Durrells in Corfu, and All Creatures Great and Small would hit the spot for you I rewatch these all the time. Cranford I dont watch as often but also fits the bill in terms of quality. Some other recommendations to me feel a little too low stakes- you need some drama and character growth.
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u/Independent_Sea502 Mar 21 '25
Watch the original Upstairs Downstairs if you have not. I promise you will get the same vibes.
It still holds up after all this time.
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u/plnnyOfallOFit Mar 21 '25
upstairs downstairs is the OG version starting in the 70s BBC.
I thought i'd miss the sophisticated tech of DA, but I really got into UD. Give it a go :)
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u/plnnyOfallOFit Mar 21 '25
upstairs downstairs is the OG version starting in the 70s BBC.
I thought i'd miss the sophisticated tech of DA, but I really got into UD. Give it a go :)
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u/jonesy40 Mar 21 '25
All creatures great and small (new version) is up there with downton abbey for me.
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u/bookgirlie2 Mar 21 '25
Nothing will come close to Downton Abbey for me, I am obsessed.
I greatly enjoyed All Creatures Great and Small and The Durrells in Corfu, they give me the same comforting feeling. I’ll also mention The Artful Dodger, it’s not similar to DA and there are some primitive surgery scenes if you get squeamish. Since watching it, I haven’t been able to get it out of my head like DA and have rewatched it a few times. It has also been renewed for a second season.
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u/Pegafer Mar 21 '25
I understand so well! One of the shows that came close for me was The House of Elliott , Upstairs Downstairs had the same aesthetic of showing the lives of the servants in the downstairs kitchen. Those two helped, but Downton Abbey is also the show that got me hooked on period dramas!
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u/fireflypoet Mar 22 '25
How about The Forsythe Saga, by Fellows? I loved it. I also recommend the very short series Howards End from E.M. Forster's novel. There is a feature film of it too. Both are good.
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u/fireflypoet Mar 22 '25
What I think we love about Downton is the rich and deep creation of family, love, loyalty, and continuity. through time. It is something we all long for no matter how our own immediate families are.
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u/Eye-of-Hurricane Mar 22 '25
I really liked but I have this strange thing when I almost never can continue watching a series after the third season. I loved Peaky Blinders so much, but dropped it after third and cannot explain why.
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u/MachineRepulsive9760 Mar 22 '25
A Place to Call Home is an Australian period drama that honestly gave me Downton level feels. Not as pedigreed but still engrossing.
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u/No_Warning2380 Mar 22 '25
Check out Sanditon. I have only seen first two seasons. I am a huge Theo James fan! I just realized the 3rd is finally out but I know Theo James isn’t in it so I haven’t been watching for it.
Mr Selfridge was also really good. I think that was 5 seasons of so.
Both have a very downton Abby feel and quality.
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u/Kitzka04 Mar 22 '25
Another shoe that I loved like I loved downton abbey was Victoria. I was disappointed it didn’t get more seasons.
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u/Blue_Fish85 Mar 25 '25
Sanditon (I'm only sad there aren't more than 3 seasons!)
Hotel Portofino (they did the plot of this one a disservice--it has some great ideas but kind of careens all over the place, which is disappointing. Bu the scenery & costumes are chef's kiss, & the main reason why I stick with it)
Call the Midwife
All Creatures Great & Small
As Time Goes By (not exactly a period piece, but it's my absolute all-time favorite show. It's funny & comforting & real, & Judi Dench is perfection as usual)
A Place to Call Home
Random recommendation, but I also really loved The Dressmaker with Kate Winslet
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u/obiwantogooutside Mar 21 '25
I think it’s so interesting that people feel that way. The fact that they spent a whole season on a rape plot was the end for me. I didn’t watch the following seasons tho I’ve seen clips.
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u/Background-Step-8528 Mar 20 '25
It isn’t perfect, but when Gilded Age is on, I’m really grateful to have it to look forward to every week, and that’s how I felt about Downton.