If You Like Downton Abbey & Call the Midwife, You’ll Love…

I’ve always been a fan of British tv programming. Perhaps I should say that I’ve always been a fan of all things Britain. I love British literature (serious and Chick Lit), I love the landscape, I love the history and the buildings – the history in the buildings. I love the way that British people speak. 

tangent: when I was studying in England, I lost a final paper for one of my courses. And by ‘lost’, I mean that I saved 2 paragraphs of a different paper overtop of a completed 15 page paper. Amazing. When I told this to my slightly inebriated British seat-mate at a dinner party, this was his response. Word for word. I’m sorry that you can’t hear him say it, because I can still hear him say it in my head. “Well that was STEWpid, wasn’t it? You must be WALLowing in a QUAGmire of STEWpidity!”  (He did actually spit into my face with that last word. And yes, he was handsomely disheveled, much like Hugh Grant.)

I’m guessing that if you really like Downton Abbey and / or Call the Midwife, then you’re either into British Dramas, Period Dramas, or BOTH. Here are a bunch of my favourites that fit one or both of those categories:

When I was nursing my first baby, the selection on Netflix wasn’t super fantastic, but it had some British content, so, of course, I watched it. I went through 6 seasons of Monarch of the Glen – which is pretty much Downton Abbey, but set in the late 90’s / early 2000’s  in Scotland and shot with a lower budget. It was definitely a Soap, but I secretly loved it. As of February 2015, it’s not available on Netflix Canada. It might be back some day, who knows? Check out your local library to see if they have any seasons!

Mr Selfridge: Set in London in the 1910’s, this drama follows the American retail tycoon & founder of Selfridge’s London Department Store, Harry Gordon Selfridge. Harry loves family, pretty ladies, and giving Londoners a shopping experience they never knew they wanted. Secondary plot focuses on Agnes Towler, a young woman who establishes herself as an up & coming employee at Selfridge & Co.  As of February 2015, there are 2 seasons available on Netflix Canada. 

Spring 2016: There are now 3 seasons of Mr Selfridge on Netflix Canada – Enjoy!!

The Paradise: Extremely similar to Mr Selfridge, which is fortunate if you liked Mr Selfridge & want to watch more. I actually liked The Paradise better. Mr John Moray, a former draper’s boy, has opened The Paradise, the first English department store. In 1875, small town Scottish girl Denise Lovett arrives and takes a position as a shop girl in The Paradise and it’s not long before Denise’s natural talent begins to turn heads. As of February 2015, there are 2 seasons available on Netflix Canada.

Spring 2016: VERY unfortunately, there won’t be any more seasons of The Paradise. What a shame. However, both seasons are still available on Netflix Canada.

Land Girls: Set in the English countryside early in World War II, this show follows the lives of four girls who signed up with the Women’s Land Army to aid in the war effort by working on a farm. Well worth the watch – just be aware that there were only 3 seasons created and it’s now over, so once you’re done watching it, it’s over. I just realized that about five minutes ago and I’m a little sad about that right now. As of February 2015, there are 3 seasons available on Netflix Canada.

Spring 2016: It looks as though there will only be 3 seasons of this show, but all three are still available on Netflix Canada.

The Bletchley Circle: During WWII, the British government handpicked women who demonstrated particular intelligence to work in a secret facility to decipher German military codes intercepted by the allied forces. This show takes place 9 years after the war ends when the women have all returned to their ‘normal’ lives. No one, not even their husbands or parents, know about their occupation during the war, so when they start using their code ciphering talents to solve murders, they disguise their activities as a Book Club.
Once again, I’m sad to have to tell you that there are only 2 seasons of this show – it wasn’t renewed for a 3rd. As of February 2015, there are 2 seasons available on Netflix Canada. 

Spring 2016: The Bletchley Circle is no longer on Netflix Canada. Boo. However, you should DEFINITELY go find it somewhere. Still one of my faves. 

Upstairs Downstairs: There are 2 different series by this title – the original 1970’s series which takes place between 1903 and 1930, and the ‘remake’ in 2010 which resumes the story in 1936. Both shows deal with the social & technological changes in a household that is run by servants downstairs who report to the masters upstairs. I’ve watched both, and while the 1970’s is more cheesy, I liked it better. The 2010 series has better costumes & props. If Downton Abbey has piqued your curiosity about the world of masters & servants, either of these shows are good to add to your list – it’s quite a lot like Downton Abbey in that respect. As of February 2015, there are no seasons of either series on Netflix Canada. Both of them have been available on Netflix Canada in the past few years, however, so they might come back. Request these seasons at your local library! 

Spring 2016: Still not available on Netflix Canada.

Bomb Girls: Hey! It’s a Canadian show! Amazing! This was originally intended to be a 6 part mini-series, but performed so well that a second season and a movie were made. Not unlike Farm Girls, this show follows girls from various backgrounds & economic statuses who step up into non-traditional rolls in support of the War Effort during WWII. As of February 2015: Not available on Netflix Canada. But hey, email them: maybe if enough of us do, they’ll pick it up! If you subscribe to cable TV, you can watch this series on Global TV. Check with your local library to see if they have it in their catalog!

Spring 2016: Still not available on Netflix Canada.

Foyle’s War: Following in the WWII theme, this is a crime drama that follows Police Inspector Christopher Foyle. This show focuses less on the personal lives of the protagonists and more on the crimes that Detective Foyle & his (surprisingly female) driver Sam (Samantha) investigate, but I’m still really intrigued by the world that they’re living in. The series just wrapped up in January 2015. As of February 2015, there are 8 seasons available on Netflix Canada.

Spring 2016: Sadness, Foyle’s War is no longer on Netflix Canada. Go find it somewhere else. 🙂 

The Forsyte Saga: This show chronicles the lives of three generations of an Upper Middle Class British family from the 1870’s to the 1920’s. I actually started watching this one because Damien Lewis (of Homeland and Life) starred in it, and I think he’s phenomenal. The period series, not surprisingly, engrossed me almost immediately. 
As of February 2015, this series is not available on Netflix Canada, but it used to be, so who knows, it might be back! Check your local library to see if it’s there!

Spring 2016: Still not available on Netflix Canada.

Lark Rise to Candleford: I haven’t seen this one myself, but have had it recommended by many people who know my tastes. A young girl moves to a local market town in Oxfordshire to begin an apprenticeship as a postmistress. As of February 2015, this title is not available on Netflix Canada.

Spring 2016: Still not available on Netflix Canada.

Doc Martin: Alright, this one is very subjective. It’s not a period drama, it’s just a British drama about a big city doctor who finds himself in a small town in the English countryside. I love it because I want to move to the town that it’s set in: the rolling fields, the stone walls, & town commons makes me so homesick for the small town I lived in 10 years ago! Many that I have spoken to find this one boring. I’d say, if you’re looking for something to watch, give it a shot. As of February 2015, this series is no longer available on Netflix Canada. It is often on rerun on TV, however, and I’m sure that many libraries have a few seasons.

Spring 2016: Still not available on Netflix Canada. 

Now it’s YOUR turn! SURELY I have missed some of the good shows! And I haven’t even gotten into MOVIES yet! What are your fave period dramas – be they tv shows or movies? Help me find my next favourite show! 

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Jenn vanOosten

I live in Hamilton, Ontario, and love my city. I'm a Netflixer, choral music geek, bookworm, inventor of recipes (I take Artistic Licence on EVERYTHING that I make), wife of one, mother of two, and owner of a neurotic Schnauzer. I respect people who respect others. I love good food that's well done, but my favourite lunch is KD & hotdogs. With ketchup. I'm addicted to Clearance Shopping. I will ALWAYS get the product that I want at the price that I want, eventually.

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