After what feels like an eternity, the final Downton Abbey film has arrived in cinemas and it has immediately left us desperate for even more.
The conclusion to Julian Fellowes’ long-running drama has received rave reviews from critics and fans, who branded the finale ‘beautiful’, ‘heartwarming’ and a ‘fantastic end to a beautiful ride’ on Rotten Tomatoes.
The release comes days after the first trailer for the new Wuthering Heights adaptation dropped, sending viewers into a flutter over the portrayal of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliffe (Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi respectively).
So, if you’ve got a Downton-shaped void that only another juicy period drama will fill, you’re in luck as we’ve rounded up some of the best that Netflix have to offer, ready for those cosy sofa nights.
Pride and Prejudice
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The 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice has gone down in cinema history, following the gorgeous love story between Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy (played to perfection by Matthew Macfadyen).
Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn star as the heads of the Bennet household, while Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Rupert Friend, Tom Hollander, Dame Judi Dench, Carey Mulligan and Talulah Riley make up the star-studded cast.
We can think of no better September plan than curling up with a takeaway and watching Mr Darcy’s confession of love in the pouring rain – and that hand flex – on repeat.
Clearly the world agrees with us as it currently claims a respectable 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes…
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Jack O’Connell found himself as far away from Skins’ Cook as he could possibly get when he appeared in Lady Chatterley’s Lover – adapted from DH Lawrence’s once-banned novel of the same name.
He was joined in the Netflix drama by Emma Corrin, who played Lady Constance ‘Connie’ Chatterley – whose marriage falls apart after her husband, Clifford (Matthew Duckett), suffers a life-altering injury in WWI.
Connie turns to gamekeeper Oliver Mellors for companionship and they begin a steamy love affair – the synopsis promises that their ‘secret trysts lead her to a sensual, sexual awakening’.
Persuasion
Carrie Cracknell’s Persuasion drew comparisons to Fleabag when it arrived on Netflix in 2022, with Dakota Johnson landing a starring role as Anne Elliot.
The adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s most beloved books showed Anne reuniting with Captain Frederick Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis) seven years after she was ‘persuaded’ by her family to break off their engagement, over his lack of prospects.
It clearly proved divisive as critics branded the flick ‘out of touch’, ‘hollow’ and ‘flat’ – but fans clearly had a wonderful time, describing it as ‘ahead of its time’ and ‘very entertaining’.
The Painted Veil
Things get very dark in the Painted Veil as Naomi Watts finds herself in a love triangle with Edward Norton and Live Schreiber in the 2006 drama, based on W Somerset Maugham’s 1925 book.
Socialite Kitty Garstin (Naomi) enjoys a whirlwind romance with bacteriologist Walter Fane (Edward) in the 20s but their marriage becomes strained when they move to Shanghai – leading her to have an affair with married vice consul Charles Townsend (Liev).
When Walter finds out, he threatens to divorce her and uproots them to a remote village in China, where their relationship surprisingly blossoms.
Emily
While the upcoming Wuthering Heights reboot has raised eyebrows from many, a biographical drama on the original book’s author, Emily Brontë, went down a storm with fans in 2022.
The movie, simply titled Emily, saw Emma Mackey take on the part of the famously illusive writer in the part-fictionalised project – which used some creative license to bring her story to life.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Fionn Whitehead, Alexandra Dowling and Adrian Dunbar also starred in the movie, which currently commands an impressive 87% Rotten Tomatoes score.
It was described as ‘spectacular’, ‘spellbinding’ and haunting’, while Emma’s efforts were branded ‘superb’.
The best period drama TV shows on Netflix
Anne with an E: Three seasons, 27 episodes
Bridgerton: Three seasons, 24 episodes
Victoria: Three seasons, 25 episodes
Poldark: Five seasons, 43 episodes
The Queen’s Gambit: One season, 7 episodes
The Empress: Two seasons, 12 episodes
The Crown: Six seasons, 60 episodes
The Dig
The Dig hit our screens four years ago, based on a novel of the same name from John Preston. It tells the story of Sutton Hoo, the location of Anglo-Saxon cemeteries that were excavated in the late 30s.
Landowner Edith Perry (Carey Mulligan) hires Ralph Fiennes’ Basil Brown – a self-taught archaeologist – to investigate the ancient mounds discovered on her property.
Soon after, they uncover iron rivets in the mounds, leading to a life-changing turn of events for all involved.
The Dig initially had a limited release in cinemas at the beginning of 2021 before premiering on the streaming platform – it was nominated for a string of Baftas, including outstanding British film and best adapted screenplay.
The Wonder
Florence Pugh truly stole the show in The Wonder, a 2022 period drama turned psychological thriller inspired by the ‘fasting girls’ phenomenon.
The Oscar-nominee stars as nurse Lib Wright, who is summoned to a small Irish village in 1862, to observe a young girl who has stayed alive and well despite not eating for months.
Although 11-year-old Anna O’Donnell (Kila Lord Cassidy) claims that she is surviving thanks to ‘manna from heaven’, Lib is convinced there is something more sinister at play.
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