#21: Jeeves and Wooster (1990)
Acorn Synopsis: Bertie, the immensely eligible dandy with fluff where his brain should be, and Jeeves, the gentleman’s gentleman, whose mighty intellect is entirely devoted to getting his young master out of scrapes and keeping him out of the clutches of prospective brides.
Why You Should Check it Out: A young and hilarious Hugh Laurie and Steven Fry…
#22: Lilies (2007)
Acorn Synopsis: The Moss sisters-my lilies, as their father calls them-live in working-class Liverpool right after World War I. They struggle through poverty, passions, and disappointments-sustained by the fortifying power of family in this captivating series.
Why You Should Check it Out: Lilies comes from the brilliant mind of Heidi Thomas who currently runs Call the Midwife.
#23: Lost in Austen (2008)
Photo: ITV
Acorn Synopsis: Bored bank worker Amanda Price literally becomes lost in her favourite Austen book after she finds a strange portal in her bathroom and swaps places with its heroine Elizabeth Bennet.
Why You Should Check it Out: While I don’t love Amanda Price all that much (Austenland does better in the likeability department), I love the premise of this fun series. Who doesn’t want their own Mr. Darcy? Also, keep an eye out for Sleepy Hollow’s Tom Mison as Mr. Bingley.
#24: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012)
Acorn Synopsis: In 1920s Melbourne, Phryne Fisher is a thoroughly modern woman operating in a mostly male world. The glamorous lady detective goes about her work with a pistol close at hand and, more often than not, a male admirer even closer.
Why You Should Check it Out: Words cannot describe how much I love Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. If you haven’t seen this yet, make sure to make it a top priority! The two main love stories in this are sexy and also adorable. That being said, Acorn TV only has the first two seasons (Netflix beat them this time around).
Content Note: While mostly TV-PG or TV-14, there are occasional scenes of nudity and innuendo.
RELATED | Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Review
#25: Murdoch Mysteries (2008)
Photo: CBC/ ITV
Acorn Synopsis: Cutting-edge Victorian science meets cunningly plotted mystery in this award-winning Canadian TV drama. All-new season 8 now available as Murdoch faces some of his toughest cases yet.
Why You Should Check it Out: Yes, sometimes the dialogue is a little stilted, but overall, this period mystery show is a whole lot of fun due to historical figures popping into the stories from time to time and also a good love story between the two leads.
RELATED | Murdoch Mysteries (The TV Series) Review
#26: New Worlds (2014)
Acorn Synopsis: New Worlds is a gripping story of love, loss and the human price paid in the struggle for justice and liberty. Starring Jamie Dornan, this lavishly produced miniseries is set in England and America during the 1680s.
Why You Should Check it Out: While an imperfect miniseries, New Worlds is worth watching for the love stories and the cast! Jeremy Northam even makes an appearance as Charles II!
RELATED | New Worlds Review
#27: Poldark (1975)
Acorn Synopsis: This 1975 epic saga of passion, adventure, and heartbreak is a British Gone with the Wind that stars Robin Ellis and aired on Masterpiece Theatre.
Why You Should Check it Out: While we’re in the midst of a Poldark hiatus going through major withdrawal (at least I know I am), here is the perfect opportunity to try the earlier adaptation of the book series. It would be interesting to compare (though I’m sure no one will ever compare to Aidan Turner).
#28: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1978)
Acorn Synopsis: Tells the story of an educator’s effect on impressionable young ladies at the Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh, revealing the challenges they face growing up in 1930s Scotland.
Why You Should Check it Out: I plan on checking this out for the premise and main actress!
#29: Restless (2012)
Acorn Synopsis: Based on the bestselling spy novel by William Boyd, this award-winning BBC drama is a tale of passion, duplicity, and betrayal.
Why You Should Check it Out: Hayley Atwell as a spy makes Restless one to watch. The rest of the cast (Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, and Michelle Dockery) are pretty incredible as well.
Content Note: Restless has some strong profanity and sexual content.
RELATED | Restless Review
#30: Seven Dials Mystery (1981)
Acorn Synopsis: Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent a pert, aggressive young aristocrat insinuates herself into a series of murders, stolen state secrets, and a mysterious secret society.
Why You Should Check it Out: It’s based on an Agatha Christie novel!
#31: The Sinking of the Laconia (2010)
Acorn Synopsis: In September 1942, at the height of WWII, a German U-boat torpedoed the RMS Laconia, unaware that it carried more than 2,000 passengers. What followed is a harrowing true story of heroism, heartbreak, and humanity.
Why You Should Check it Out: With a compelling story and good cast, The Sinking of Laconia is one I plan to give a try!
Content Note: As of now, I don’t know what content rating this miniseries would get.
#32: Sword of Honour (2001)
Acorn Synopsis: Thirty-five-year-old Englishman Guy Crouchback (Daniel Craig) returns home from Italy at the start of the war determined to fight the good fight. Horrified by Nazi barbarism and emotionally shattered by a painful divorce, Crouchback eagerly accepts a post with the elite Royal Corps of Halberdiers.
Why You Should Check it Out: Daniel Craig…
Content Note: Sword of Honour has a UK 15 rating, but I’m not sure for what. It likely has some violence.
#33: Tommy and Tuppence: Partners in Crime (1983)
Acorn Synopsis: Packed with period atmosphere and playful banter, Partners in Crime follows Tommy and Tuppence Beresford as they mix marriage and mystery solving.
Why You Should Check it Out: I think it’s great that there are two adaptions of Partners in Crime because the idea is so entertaining. Since I loved the new version, I plan on seeing if the old one is any good!
#34: Upstairs, Downstairs (1971)
Acorn Synopsis: This Emmy Award-winning British drama series tells the story of the wealthy, aristocratic Bellamys and their loyal and lively servants.
Why You Should Check it Out: Basically Downton Abbey before Downton Abbey…
#35: Wish Me Luck (1987)
Acorn Synopsis: At the height of WWII, brave British women risk their lives as secret agents in occupied France.
Why You Should Check it Out: A great choice for viewers who enjoy shows about women during various past wars. Look out for a young Jeremy Northam and Shirley Henderson.
Content Note: This title is not rated.
What Period Dramas on Acorn TV do you plan on watching? You can sign up for a free trial HERE. Any recommendations of your own? Sound off below…
Photo Credits: Acorn Media
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I am not a fan of the Agatha Christie series. And “A Place to Call Home’ is depressing to say the least. The first episode turned me off, dwelling over & over & over again on the agony of a horse who broke its leg, it being shot, shrieking in agony. Relived in flash backs. I do not call that entertainment!
Thank you so much for sparing me from watching agony disguised as entertainment!
I think “A Place to Call Home” deserves more than what Dixie88 described it as. Some of the best characterization on TV!
I agree. One of my favorite series of all time. Each season gets better and better.
My sister and I loved this series , so good!
You should watch this , its amazing
I too did not enjoy the horse scene. But I got past it and my wife and I found “A PlaceTo Call Home” one of the best written, perfectly acted series we have seen. The characters were compelling.
I was very disappointed at Marple’s Agatha Christie. Wonderful characters deleted, and the motive becoming a lesbian affair.
I don’t even remember to which episode you are referring, but I personally found the series rather entertaining as a whole! Perhaps you would like other episodes.
Which part of “lesbian affair” do you find objectionable, the affair or the lesbian?
I’m live in the US. The only option for television service is Dish Network satellites because we live out in the country. How do I get Acorn tv?
I love in the US and since we live out in the countryside our only option for television service is Dish Network satellite.. How do I get Acorn?
Love poirot and some of the older miss Marple’s, but like someone rightly pointed out the new ones all too often mess with the plot, changing things extremely just to “modernize” it. It’s one thing to change a slight detail here or there but to change whole characters totally unnecessary…