#31: Pride and Prejudice (1980)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: A much-praised dramatisation of the Jane Austen novel, adapted for television by Fay Weldon. Mrs. Bennet frantically tries to find husbands for her…more five daughters.
Why You Should Check it Out: While not comparable to the later adaptations, every Pride and Prejudice is worth seeing at least once! Plus, there’s a lot to love about the 1980 version even if it is a little dated.
#32: Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Hulu Synopsis: This is the definitive Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Witty Elizabeth Bennet charms smouldering, haughty Darcy against a…backdrop of a picture postcard countryside, small-town assembly rooms and stately English homes.
Why You Should Check it Out: Because if you haven’t yet, then I must question your sanity! No, seriously, now (in its 20th anniversary year) is the perfect time to return to the period drama of all period dramas. It never gets old watching Colin Firth brood…
Related | Pride and Prejudice (1995) – A 20th Anniversary Review
#33: Prince of Lan Ling (2013)
Photo: DramaFever
Hulu Synopsis: Gao Chang Gong, better known as Prince Lan Ling, is a celebrated hero of ancient China—one recorded to have met an untimely fate in his prime. In…more this vibrant adaptation, Yang Xue Wu (Ariel Lin), the only remaining priestess of her clan, foresees a tragic fate for the chivalrous Lan Ling Wang (Feng Shao Feng), but nonetheless falls for him as the two become embroiled in a war against the Northern Zhou faction, led by Emperor Yuwen Yong (Daniel Chan). As Xue Wu grows closer to Prince Lan Ling, she unwittingly fulfills a foretold prophecy that victory goes to he who possesses the priestess’ blessing.
Why You Should Check it Out: This is another historical romance at the top of the popularity list over on Drama Fever. Everywhere I checked, The Prince of Lan Ling comes highly recommended. The story DOES sound intriguing.
#34: The Princess’ Man (2011)
Photo: KBS
Hulu Synopsis: Set in the Joseon era, The Princess’ Man is an epic “Romeo and Juliet” story that stars Moon Chae Won of Shining Inheritance and Park Shi Hoo of…more Iljimae as star-crossed lovers in a tragic tale of romance. Moon Chae Won, who plays Princess Se Ryung, is the fearless and strong-willed daughter of Grand Prince Su Yang. Park Shi Hoo, who plays Seung Yoo, is a handsome and wise noble who captures her heart. The problem: both of their fathers are powerful rivals who will stop at nothing to defeat the other to ascend to the throne. Featuring breathtaking cinematography and gorgeous locations, The Princess’s Man is a lush historical romance that captivated audiences, becoming of the best-loved series of 2011.
Why You Should Check it Out: The promise of an epic “Romeo and Juliet” like love story is always a win in my book!
#35: Robin Hood (2006)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: Robin Hood outwits and delights as he and his gang of outlaws fight the authority of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham with outrageous scams, disguises,…more tricks, ingenuity and breathtaking archery.
Why You Should Check it Out: My favorite version of Robin Hood, this TV Show is worth watching because it’s romantic, enjoyable in all its cheesy glory, and it stars Richard Armitage as the Byronic Guy of Gisborne. Plus, Jonas Armstrong is pretty awesome as Robin too! With all that being said, the end of series 2 has an annoying twist that makes you want to throw things at the TV. At least the ending semi rectifies this grave error by the writers…
#36: Scarlett (1994)
Photo: Sonar Entertainment
Hulu Synopsis: Scarlett O’Hara journeys from Atlanta to Charleston and Savannah, to London, and to her ancestral home of Ballyhara in Ireland.
Why You Should Check it Out: Yes, this sequel to Gone with the Wind is absolutely terrible, but every once in a while I like to binge watch something bad but still somehow entertaining. Plus, there’s Timothy Dalton!
#37: The Secret of Crickley Hall (2012)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: A year after their little boy goes missing, Gabe and Eve and their two daughters move to Crickley Hall to try and escape the past. Strange things…more start to happen and Eve hears the voice of her missing son as time shifts between present day and 1943.
Why You Should Check it Out: Aside from the fact that the handsome Tom Ellis stars, this ghostly period drama that goes back and forth between the present day and the past, is engrossing from start to finish. I loved the atmosphere and Gothic mystery. This is a great one to check out during the Halloween season!
#38: Sense and Sensibility (2008)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: Marianne Dashwood falls in love with the charming but unsuitable John Willoughby, ignoring her sister Elinor’s warnings. Will the sisters learn that…more sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find happiness?
Why You Should Check it Out: This is an absolutely gorgeous portrayal of Jane Austen’s classic on screen! Sense and Sensibility is intensely romantic, has fantastic casting (even if not comparable to the 1995 version), and one to re-watch again and again.
#39: Sleepy Hollow (2013)
Photo: Fox
Hulu Synopsis: In this modern-day twist on Washington Irving’s classic, ICHABOD CRANE is resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to find that…more the world is on the brink of destruction, forcing him to team up with a contemporary police officer to unravel a mystery that dates back to the founding fathers.
Why You Should Check it Out: A supernatural series with a lot of fun twists, this is one still currently airing TV series that Hulu actually includes every single episode. While the main story is set in modern day, much of Sleepy Hollow uses flashbacks to the times of the Founding Fathers to unravel the varying mysteries and mythology.
#40: Snow Queen, Part 1 and 2 (2002)
Photo: Hallmark/ DramaFever
Hulu Synopsis: From the beloved fairytale that inspired Disney’s FROZEN, comes the story of a young girl who enters an unknown world of legend and superstition where love unfolds as the greatest mystery of all.
Why You Should Check it Out: A lovely (if somewhat cheesy) adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale, “The Snow Queen.” Compare this to other TV mini-series like Merlin, The 10th Kingdom, and Snow White.
#41: Sound of the Desert (2014)
Photo: DramaFever
Hulu Synopsis: Based on the hit romance novel, Sound of the Desert traces the fate of Xin Yue (Cecilia Liu), a young orphan who was adopted by the nomadic Xiongnu…more tribe. When political turmoil forces Xin Yue to flee, she finds herself in the company of two very different, but alluring men: Mo Xun (Hu Ge), a kind soul, and Wei Wu Ji (Eddie Peng), a cold general. As Xin Yue travels throughout a vast desert of possibilities, she must ask herself who she loves most in this delicate dance of love.
Why You Should Check it Out: With several good reviews online, I’m hoping this is as good as the synopsis sounds!
#42: South Riding (2011)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: In the long aftermath of the First World War, 30-year-old Sarah Burton comes home from London to Yorkshire to take up the headmistress-ship of a…more struggling Yorkshire high school for girls. But the homecoming is more complicated than she thinks.
Why You Should Check it Out: While I haven’t seen this one yet, I plan to just because of the wonderful British cast: Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House), David Morrissey (Sense and Sensibility), Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey), Douglas Henshall (Primeval), and Peter Firth (MI-5).
#43: The Spies of Warsaw (2013)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: David Tennant and Janet Montgomery star in this adaptation of Alan Furst’s celebrated spy novel set in Poland, Paris and Berlin in the years leading…more up to the Second World War.
Why You Should Check it Out: A spy mini-series starring David Tennant. I don’t think we need any other reason (at least I don’t) to watch this one…
#44: Tess of the D’Urbervilles (2008)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D’Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting…more the manipulative Alec proves to be her downfall but a different man, Angel Clare, may be her salvation.
Why You Should Check it Out: While not my personal favorite adaptation of the classic novel (that goes to the 1998 version), this BBC production is still a period drama treat. Look for Eddie Redmayne as Angel Clare!
#45: The Time in Between (2013)
Photo: DramaFever
Hulu Synopsis: Based on the New York Times Bestseller “The Time In Between” by María Dueñas, a young seamstress’s life takes an unexpected turn when she finds…more herself pregnant, alone, and penniless during the Spanish Civil War. As Spain’s alliance with Nazi Germany deepens, she takes on a new identity and becomes an in-demand haute couture stylist for the wives of Nazi officials. But soon she becomes swept up in political intrigue when she begins helping the British Secret Service with coded messages in the seams of her dresses.
Why You Should Check it Out: I’ve heard only good things about this period drama import. The premise alone is compelling!
#46: The Titanic (1996)
Photo: Sonar Entertainment
Hulu Synopsis: This made-for-TV movie is the tale of the famous Titanic passenger liner that claimed to be unsinkable.
Why You Should Check it Out: While clearly not as good as James Cameron’s Titanic, it still is an engaging few hours of your time (especially if you’re like me and want to watch everything about the Titanic…).
#47: Titanic: The Miniseries (2012)
Photo: ITV/ eOne Entertainment Distribution
Hulu Synopsis: “Titanic” is an extraordinary re-telling of the doomed voyage that cleverly weaves action, mystery and romance over four hours and two nights of…more programming. Shot in Budapest, Hungary, it features both fictional and historical characters, ranging from steerage passengers and crew to upper class guests and staff, who all come together in an explosive and unforgettable finale. Each hour follows similar events from different points of view, culminating in a cliff-hanger, as the ship begins to founder, and building to an explosive conclusion in the final hour that draws together all the stories. Viewers will be taken on a heart-wrenching journey through Titanic’s last moments, as it’s revealed who among the characters they’ve come to know so well will survive, and who will not.
Why You Should Check it Out: And speaking of Titanic, there is another miniseries available on Hulu about the historical event, and it’s from the man who brought us, Downton Abbey! Even though the non-linear experiment causes this period drama to suffer slightly in execution, this miniseries is definitely still worth your time.
#48: Upstairs Downstairs (2010)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: Revival of the iconic ’70s series set in a London townhouse in the late 1930s. When Rose returns to Eaton Place as housekeeper she soon finds that in…more both ‘upstairs’ and ‘downstairs’ worlds lie a labyrinth of secrets, lies and scandal.
Why You Should Check it Out: While not as good or addictive as Downton Abbey, the similar themes, and wonderful cast still make this one to watch!
#49: Wives and Daughters (1999)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: Focusing on the fortunes of three families – the Gibsons, the Hamleys and the Cumnors – in the English village of Hollingford, Wives and Daughters is…more at once a poignant coming of age story, a lively romance and, not least, a witty comedy of manners.
Why You Should Check it Out: I can’t say enough good things about Wives and Daughters. I love the romance, the acting (Michael Gambon is out of the world good in this one), the story, the high production values, etc.
#50: The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1994)
Photo: CBS
Hulu Synopsis: The adventures of the archeological treasure hunter in his youth.
Why You Should Check It Out: I chose this one for nostalgic reasons. Did anyone else watch this when they were young?
What period dramas do you plan on checking out on Hulu? Any recommendations of your own? Sound off below…
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This is a great selection of well known and lesser known movies. I loved Fairy Tale Theatre when I was younger. I feel like I’d still enjoy it now. Had a huge crush on Sean Patrick Flannery of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles when that show first came out. Even when I sometimes found the episodes a bit dull, I watched them for him. This version of Sense and Sensibility is one of my favourite Austen films. I loved Elinor in this. I’ve heard so much about this version of Oliver Twist. I need to see it sometime. I’d add The Scarlet Pimpernel movies to this list. The one with Leslie Howard and the one with Jane Seymour.
I had a huge crush on Sean Patrick Flannery too! And this version of S&S really is great. I completely agree with you about Elinor.
I didn’t include Leslie Howard’s Pimpernel movie because this list only focused on TV (TV movies, miniseries, and TV shows), but is the Jane Seymour version on Hulu? I don’t see it! I’ve been meaning to watch that one.
Oops. I forgot about the TV angle. I don’t have Hulu, so not sure about that Pimpernel movie being there. It’s really good. A great period mini series is Around The World In 80 Days starring Pierce Brosnan. I loved it when it first aired years ago.
I was unable to find most of these on Hulu.
Many of these are still on hulu. But some have also left. New deals change what’s on. This was put up last year so much has changed. And with the new deal BBC made with Amazon, unfortunately losing some of these great period dramas were inevitable!
what deal did they make with amazon ?
Different streaming services make deals with different companies/networks. For a while, many British shows were available on Amazon Prime. There are less so now because of Britbox, but a lot of period dramas are still there.
I totally recommend “The Time in Between”. I read the book when it first came out in 2009 and was pleasantly surprised by this adaptation: it’s even better than the book! The story is a mix of romance, historical (a true one, since the author is a historian) and espionage.
If you speak Spanish, try and watch the original version. There are many foreign characters (the story is set between Spain and Morocco, but the characters are Spanish, Moroccan, Portuguese, German, English…), so the conversations, the accents and the subtle nuances of dialogue are somewhat lost in the English dubbing.
If you’re not convinced yet, the costumes should be inducement enough: the female protagonist is a seamstress, and she makes stunning clothes, a real treat for any period drama lover!
Hulu sucks.
you guys can’t count that’s 10 not 50. your NEXT button goes to a different list.
You’re clicking on the Next button for next article. But if you click on page 2, then it will take you to more of the list. There are 50 choices.