The 10 best period TV shows to stream right now

Konstantina PyrnokokiMay 23, 2020, 16:02 IST

Rachel Brosnahan plays housewife-turned-comedian Midge in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."Amazon

Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and PBS Masterpiece are home to some of the most compelling period TV shows.
"Downton Abbey" tells the story of an aristocratic family in post-Edwardian England, while "Mad Men" explores the advertising scene of 1960s New York.
From historical dramas filled with intrigue to breezy comedies, here are the best period TV shows that you can stream right now.
Insider has many movie and TV show lists to keep you occupied. You can read them all here.

Period TV shows transfer viewers to a bygone era, one they may have never experienced before.

Apart from a well-written script, their success lies on the history of the period they choose to focus on, and the way it is reimagined through carefully curated costumes, music, and the appropriate set.

Whether they offer a clear account of history as it happened or just a peek into another time, they all have one thing in common: they make viewers dream of a reality that's different from their own.

Period TV series are gaining more and more ground, with shows like "The Crown" or "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" ensuring the genre's survival.

Here are the 10 best ones available to stream right now.

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Amazon Prime's comedy-drama "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" tells the story of a spirited housewife who becomes a stand-up comedian.

Rachel Brosnahan plays housewife-turned-comedian Midge in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Amazon Prime

Fox's sitcom "That '70s Show" presents the humorous goings-on of six teenagers in the 1970s.

The gang hangs out in Eric’s basement in "That ‘70s Show." Fox

BBC1's miniseries "Pride and Prejudice" is a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel.

Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in “Pride and Prejudice.” BBC1

ITV's critically acclaimed "Downton Abbey" centers around an aristocratic family living in a lavish estate in the post-Edwardian era.

“Downton Abbey’”s attention to detail extends to the actresses’ subtle make-up. ITV

Running on AMC from 2007 to 2015, the hugely successful "Mad Men" deals with the ins and outs of advertising in the '60s.

“Mad Men” has received numerous awards thanks to its historical authenticity and gripping plot. AMC

ITV's period drama "Mr Selfridge" is about Harry Gordon Selfridge and the development of his iconic department store, Selfridges.

Fashion takes center stage in “Mr Selfridge.” ITV & Masterpiece/WGBH

A British widowed mother and her four children move to 1930s Corfu on ITV's comedy-drama "The Durrells."

“The Durrells” is based on Gerald Durrell’s books about his family’s time in Greece. ITV

Netflix's "The Crown" is a historical drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Claire Foy stars as a young Queen Elizabeth II in “The Crown.” Netflix

Hulu's new series "The Great" is a comical reinterpretation of Catherine the Great's rise to the throne.

Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning costar as Emperor Peter and Empress Catherine in “The Great.” Hulu

Set in late-18th-century Cornwall, BBC1's historical drama "Poldark" is based on Winston Graham's novels of the same title.

Ross Poldark fights to rebuild his life and re-write his personal love story in “Poldark.” BBC1

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