30 Best Period Dramas To Stream On Amazon Prime

Summary

• Amazon Prime offers a wide selection of captivating period dramas, ranging from ancient Rome to 1960s California and beyond.
• Standout titles like “The Gilded Age,” “A Gentleman in Moscow,” and “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” offer diverse historical settings.
• The platform boasts critically acclaimed period dramas with award-winning performances and intricate storytelling, perfect for fans of history and drama.

Period dramas on Amazon Prime are a phenomenal form of escapism. This sub-genre of drama can harken back to any time period that viewers want. Whether fans are searching for drama, history, or just incredible production and costuming. There are some 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 the best of the best when it comes to period drama TV series available to stream now.

With one of the largest catalogs of movies and television series ever, Amazon Prime it is not surprising that the streaming service has so much to offer for the period drama genre. From Brittania‘s ancient Roman story and the Downton Abbey timeline in the early 1900s to A Very English Scandal’s political plot from the ’70s, there’s a period drama for everyone. As new series come and go from the streaming service constantly, there are stellar period dramas on the platform.

30 The Gilded Age (2022 – Present)

1880s New York City

Based in the 19th century, The Gilded Age is an HBO series that follows a woman’s attempts to integrate herself into New York City’s rigid elite society. This series not only focuses on the struggles a woman faces when attempting to move up in the hierarchical rankings in that era but also the problems with new money versus old money and the social classes working to hold people down.

Created by Julian Fellows (Gosford Park), this has the makings of a great historical drama on Prime Video. As with his best movies and TV shows, this has a wonderful ensemble cast of characters, led by Carrie Coon (Fargo) as Bertha Russell, someone who wants to use her money to force her way into a society that shuns newcomers.

HBO renewed
The Gilded Age
for a third season in December 2023.

Other names appearing in the cast include Taissa Farmiga, Harry Richardson, Simon Jones, Cynthia Nixon, Nathan Lane, and Jeanne Tripplehorn. There have been two seasons, with a third on the way, and it won a Primetime Emmy Award for its impressive, period-accurate production design.

29 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993-1998)

An American Western From The 1860s

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman was a starring vehicle for Jane Seymour that originally aired from 1993 to 1998. This show ran for six seasons with 150 episodes and two movies. In the series, Dr. Quinn is a wealthy female physician who leaves Boston to seek new experiences in the Old West and ends up in Colorado Springs.

She then sets up her practice in the small town while struggling with the changes that an Old West town has from her life in the big city. The supporting cast includes an outdoorsman played by Joe Lando and a midwife played by Diane Ladd. Ladd didn’t last, and her character died, leaving Dr. Quinn to watch after and raise her three children.

The series plays well with the historical aspects, as it focuses on many gender and race issues faced at the time, and there was even an episode that attacked homophobia in the small Western town when Walt Whitman showed up. The show carried high ratings and Seymour picked up two Emmy nominations.

28 A Gentleman In Moscow (2024)

Russia During The October Revolution

A Gentleman in Moscow is based on the novel by Amor Towles and is an ambitious historical drama that follows characters through over 30 years of Russian history. Ewan McGregor stars as Count Alexander Rostov, a man sentenced to a lifetime under house arrest.

He is allowed to spend this sentence in the Hotel Metropol Moscow, where he has lived since 1918. He meets several people there, most importantly a young girl named Sofia, who he becomes a surrogate father. The story then sees various historical events as Rostov lives in the hotel, from the death of Lenin to the rise of Stalin, the Great Depression, and the eventual government under Khrushchev.

Ultimately, A Gentleman in Moscow plays perfectly as a historical drama, showing all this history through the narrow lens of the people living in this hotel and their dreams, aspirations, and eventual liberation. The series has a high 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for the cast and story.

27 Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012-2015)

1920’s Australia

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a historical drama taking place in Melbourne, Australia, in the 1920s. Essie Davis (The Babadook) stars as Phryne Fisher,a glamorous private detective who sets out to solve crimes in the town. The first season follows the detective as Miss Fisher remains haunted by the kidnapping and death of her younger sister. It was hugely popular and ended up getting three seasons and 34 total episodes.

There was also a spin-off in 2019 called Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries and a movie called Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears in 2020. Ashleigh Cummings and Miranda Otto also appeared in the cast. The three seasons of the series consisted of 34 episodes and received several awards nominations, although it only won for its costume design from the AACTA Awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards).

26 Hell On Wheels (2011-2016)

The 1860s United States

Hell on Wheels is a historical drama on Prime Video that tells the story of the creation of the first transcontinental railroadacross the United States. The main story follows a former Confederate soldier (Anson Mount) who is working on the railroad because he wants to find the Union soldiers who murdered his wife and young son during the Civil War. He soon rises up the ranks and becomes the foreman for the Transcontinental Railroad.

The series also stars Colm Meaney, Common, and Tom Noonan. It ran for five seasons, originally on AMC, and now it is one of the best historical dramas on Prime Video. The series was AMC’s second most-watched in history, following only The Walking Dead (via Vulture). Hell on Wheels picked up an Emmy nomination and was lauded for the way it depicted the era.

25 Murdoch Mysteries (2008 – Present)

The 1890s Toronto

Murdoch Mysteries is a Canadian mystery drama series that is currently available to stream on Prime Video. The show began airing in 2008 and follows Detective William Murdock (Yannick Bisson) of the Toronto Constabulary.

His methods of solving crimes are commonplace today but were revolutionary and not widely accepted in the 1890s (such as fingerprinting, blood testing, and more). The show also plays into the era, showing the antiqued equipment he had to use in his investigations.

The series has been a massive success, with 17 seasons and 287 episodes so far. It got its start on Citytv before moving to CBC, and Prime Video has the first 16 seasons all to stream for free to subscribers. The series is also a favorite of Hollywood, as several actors have made guest star appearances, including William Shatner, Ed Asner, Kelly Rowan, and many more. It has earned 13 nominations from the Directors Guild of Canada and six from the Writers Guild.

24 Monsieur Spade (2024)

1963 San Francisco

One of the latest miniseries to become available on Prime Video is a period piece that combines detective noir aspects with European mysteries. Clive Owen stars in Monsieur Spade as Sam Spade, the famed detective created by author Dashiell Hammet, seen in stories like The Maltese Falcon.

Set in 1963, the miniseries follows Spade as he lives his new quiet life in France. However, a recent string of murders and the suggestion that an old adversary is behind it brings Spade back into his old game. The series is written by Scott Frank who has a lot of experience with writing hardened characters and cool crime tales.

Seeing an icon from the noir era like Spade back on screen is a thrill with Owen doing an excellent job bringing the character to life in a new and exciting way. Not only does the 1960s period remove Spade from his typical era, but the French setting makes him an outsider which causes him to stand out — exactly what he doesn’t want to do.

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23 Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989-2013)

1936 England

From one of the most iconic American-made detectives to one of the most iconic detectives of British creation, Agatha Christie’s Poirot is the perfect period piece for those who are fans of smart and sophisticated murderer mysteries.

David Suchet steps into the role of the eccentric and brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot with each episodeof the series taking him on a new case that only he can solve. Like Sherlock Holmes, Poirot feels like a detective who is uniquely suited to operating in the past.

While there have been many fine actors to take on the role, most recently with Kenneth Branagh, Suchet is often regarded as the best Poirot of all time.

It is a thrill to see him pick apart a mystery as if he knows the answer from the beginning but enjoys going through the game of it. While there have been many fine actors to take on the role, most recently with Kenneth Branagh, Suchet is often regarded as the best Poirot of all time. The series won several British television awards during its run.

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22 Zorro (2024)

1834 California

Prime Video brings another classic period hero to the small screen with the Spanish series Zorro. Taking up the legendary vigilante figure who inspired so many heroes that followed, including Batman, Zorro follows Spanish landowner Diego de la Vega living in California who seeks revenge for the death of his father by donning a masked persona of Zorro.

Along with his own personal vendetta, he becomes a symbol of protection for the oppressed community. Miguel Bernardeau becomes the latest actor to play Zorro. His performance was praised and felt in line with the memorable work of the many others to take on the role.

Not only does the series take place in the 1800s, but Zorro is a throwback to the classic swashbuckling adventures of the past. It makes for a fun and exciting new entry into the legacy of the iconic hero while also providing an interesting new Spanish series for Prime Video.

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21 Little House On The Prairie (1974-1983)

1870s Minnesota

Prime Video offers another series set far in the past which is also a beloved television classic older Prime users might remember fondly. Based on the children’s novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairiefollows the Ingalls family as they make life for themselves on a Minnesota farm in the late 1800s. The series explored the lives of the people and communities in this early era of the American Midwest.

Melissa Gilbert served as the President of the Screen Actor’s Guild from 2001 to 2005.

Though there were some darker episodes of Little House on the Prairie that explored the dangers and tragedy that this life could entail, the show was also seen as a wholesome story that attempted to communicate good values to the audience while telling this engaging period tale. With nine seasons and 204 episodes, the series remains one of the most beloved Western dramas ever made, with Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert coming out of the series as major stars.

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20 Gaslit (2022)

1972 America

Period dramas have the luxury of diving into some interesting and perhaps overlooked aspects of history and the true story behind Gaslit is a fascinating one that not too many people know about. While the Watergate Scandal is one of the most infamous moments in American history, Martha Mitchell is not a figure often discussed in the many retellings of the well-known and documented story.

Julia Roberts steps into this role in the exploration of Mitchell becoming outspoken on Richard Nixon’s involvement with the scandal despite being the wife of Nixon’s Attorney General. The show was praised as an exciting political thriller looking at people history forgot while commanded by Roberts’ powerful performance which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. The series picked up four Primetime Emmy nominations, also receiving praise for its makeup work.

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19 The Serpent Queen (2022)

16th Century France

Many period dramas on Prime Video highlight the powerful women throughout history who made their mark with The Serpent Queen being one of the best of this kind. Oscar nominee Samantha Morton stars in the series as Catherine de’ Medici who was 14 when she was married off to the French court with the expectation of being a dutiful wife and childbearer only to show an astute talent for political maneuvering which allows her to reign as Queen of France.

With humor and intrigue, the series was hailed by critics as a thrilling look at one of the most famous monarchs in history, while Morton’s towering performance elevates it all. While there were only eight episodes in the first season, the series will receive a second season, thanks in large part to the great critical acclaim. The series has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a great 84% audience score as well.

18 Hap And Leonard (2016-2018)

1980s Louisiana

The combination of a crime story, a buddy story, and a period drama makes Hap & Leonard a unique mix. The series is based on the characters created by novelist Joe R. Lansdale and is set in the late 1980s following the down-on-his-luck ex-convict Hap Collins (James Purefoy) and his short-tempered Vietnam vet friend Leonard Pine (Michael K. Williams) as they find themselves mixed up in countless schemes and crime dangerous scenarios.

The three seasons are based on the books
Savage Season, Mucho Mojo
, and
The Two-Bear Mambo
.

The underrated series is worthwhile simply for the charming friendship of the main characters while also being an entertaining noir throwback. There were three seasons total when it originally aired on Sundance TV, although that only accounted for 18 episodes. Critics loved the series, giving it an impressive 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Lansdale also released some tie-in short stories to help promote the TV show when it was initially released.

17 The English (2022)

1890s Old West

There are not too many Western television shows made these days, which makes it all the more enjoyable when a good one comes along. Set in the 1890s, The English stars Emily Blunt as an English womanwho comes over to the untamed American frontier to seek revenge on the man who killed her son while teaming up with an ex-military man (Chaske Spencer).

The Western revenge story has been told many times, but the miniseries’s skill and visuals helped it stand out. It featured two terrific lead performances from Spencer and Blunt, who received an SAG nomination for her performance. The story was told in six episodes as a miniseries, so fans can see the entire tale without worrying about being left hanging when it ends. The series also received honors at the BAFTAs, winning for Costume Design and earning a Production Design nomination as well.

16 Freaks And Geeks (1999)

1980s Detroit

While the 1980s might not seem like that long ago to some, it still plants Freaks and Geeks squarely in the genre of period dramas. The high school series follows a young woman who, following her grandmother’s death, begins to shift towards a darker sensibility and begins hanging out with a group of aimless misfits. The cast was a who’s-who of future stars, including James Franco, Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, Samm Levine, Jason Segel, and Martin Starr.

There is plenty of comedy to go along with the show’s very grounded and realistic depictions of high school struggles. The series only lasted for one season, but the Freaks and Geeks cast helped it develop a strong cult following over the years. Despite getting canceled, it picked up three Emmy Award nominations, with two for Outstanding Writing for Paul Feig and one for Outstanding Casting. This was also the series that helped cement Judd Apatow’s name as a comedy producer.

15 The Terror (2018-2019)

1840s Antarctic / World War II Japan

The horror anthology series The Terror takes a look at urban legends in the past, explored through the events of the time. The first and best season starred Jared Harris and Ciaran Hinds in the story of an 1840s expedition into the Arctic where the crew of the British ships were besieged by some deadly creature. This season picked up recognition from genre fans, as it earned four Satellite Award nominations, including winning Best Television Series – Genre.

The Terror: Infamy explores a ghost story set within Japanese internment camps in America during World War II. Horror fans will get plenty of scares and interesting explorations of myths and lore, while the show itself is a lavish production with strong storytelling and thought-provoking themes. This season earned a nomination for Best Genre Series at the Satellite Awards but lost. This second season also starred George Takei (Star Trek), who lived in an internment camp in World War II in real life.

14 Howard’s End (2017)

20th Century Britain

The period dramas on Prime Video also allow for stunning adaptations of classic novels, such as Howard’s End. The series is based on the 1910 novel by E.M. Forsterand tells the story of three separate English families: the wealthy Wilcoxes, the idealistic Schlegels, and the working-class Basts. Through these families, the series is a fascinating examination of the class divide that still holds resonance today.

The series is a wonderful adaptation from Oscar-winner Kenneth Lonergan and features a superb cast, including Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen, and Joseph Quinn. An award-winning movie starring Anthony Hopkins was also based on the novel, but the series stretches things out and gives the story a chance to breathe. Critics praised the series, with an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score, listing it as certified fresh. There were four episodes, and it is now available to stream on Prime Video.

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13 A League Of Their Own (2022)

1943 America

While the 1993 movie is a favorite among sports movie fans, there are many who argue the television version of A League of Their Own handles the legacy better when it comes to the true story. Set during WWII, the series takes a look at the real-life all-female professional baseball leaguethat emerged when the male players were fighting overseas. Critics praised the diversity and story, and it sits at a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Along with the depiction of this fascinating time in sports history, the show also explores the injustice of the time concerned the LGBTQ+ community as well as Black female players.

Along with the depiction of this fascinating time in sports history, the show also explores the injustice of the time concerned the LGBTQ+ community as well as Black female players. It is an exciting and fun-filled sports story that balances its dramatic aspects. Fans were understandably upset when the show was canceled after one season. It only lasted one season, with the second canceled during the writer’s strike. It won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New TV Series.

12 War & Peace (2016)

1800s Russian Empire

Another classic novel that is available on Prime Video in the form of a period drama is War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy. While the work can be a daunting book to add to a reading list, the four-part miniseries does the story justice with the aid of a great ensemble cast. The series takes place during the conflict between the Russian Empire and Napoleon’s army from France as it examines the Russian aristocrats grappling with the possibility of their lives changing drastically.

The series features Lily James, Paul Dano, Jim Broadbent, Brian Cox, Gillian Anderson, and Jessie Buckley among other notable actors in a lavish adaptation with beautiful production design. This was an event series, with each of the four episodes being the length of a movie, two hours apiece. Rotten Tomatoes critics praised it and gave it an 88% rating, while the audience score was close to equal at 86% positive. It won the BAFTA for Best Production Design.

11 Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)

1970s Los Angeles

One of the series that captured the hearts of fans in 2023 was Daisy Jones & the Six. Based on the best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the drama takes place in the Los Angeles music scene of the 1970sand follows an up-and-coming rock band and the tension that arises due to affairs and broken hearts among the band members. Riley Keough and Sam Claflin lead the cast in this story of a rock band struggling on its way to the top of the charts.

The Daisy Jones & the Six songs have stood out but the series is so much more than that as it is a compelling, entertaining, and powerful look at this time in music history, drawing inspiration from real bands like Fleetwood Mac. The series was a critical hit as well as a favorite among audiences, earning Emmy nominations for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series as well as an acting nomination for Riley Keough for her breakout out role. It picked up nine Emmy nominations overall.

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