Summary

• Poldark’s unique take on historical drama captivates viewers, leaving them yearning for more of Ross Poldark’s adventures.
• Shows like The White Queen, The Paradise, and Land Girls offer similar historical aesthetics, drama, and strong female characters.
• Fans of Poldark will find joy in Mr. Selfridge, Little Dorrit, and Wuthering Heights, with their captivating storytelling and talented performances.

Shows like Poldark present audiences with something completely different relative to what most people expect from a period drama. Based on Winston Graham’s books of the same name, Poldark is a historical drama that plays out over five seasons, and many viewers were left wanting more. The show takes place after the American Revolutionary War, focusing on a British soldier named Ross Poldark, who returns home to find his entire life in disarray. His father has died, his home is a mess, and the love of his life has moved on.

With all these items in focus, Poldark is a historical drama unlike almost any other, and that is part of what makes it such a success. It is also what makes finding other shows like Poldark difficult for fans who want more of this type of tale. With great acting, romantic adventures, an almost soap opera-styled setup, and all the costumes and set design that fans of period pieces love so much, there are still a few shows to search out that can offer a similar experience to the adventures of Ross Poldark.

15 The White Queen (2013)

1 Season, 10 Episodes

Even though it takes place centuries before shows like Poldark, The White Queen offers stellar performances from Rebecca Ferguson, Amanda Hale, and Max Irons. The show is a treat for lovers of British television. The series is set against the backdrop of the War of the Roses and explores some of the most important women who took part in that historical conflict, with a specific focus on Ferguson's Elizabeth Woodville, the Queen of England through her marriage to King Edward IV.

This 10-episode miniseries is a bite-sized, binge-worthy show full of drama, suspense, and even a little witchcraft thrown in the mix. While there are many liberties taken with historical accuracy, it will delight even the sternest of historians while also providing entertainment through its romance and violence. The series spawned two sequels, The White Princess and The Spanish Princess - with all three based on the books of the same name by Philippa Gregory.

14 The Paradise (2012-2013)

2 Seasons, 16 Episodes

Many British series mirror Poldark's commitment to its historical setting, and one of the most standout examples is BBC's The Paradise, a 16-episode drama that will captivate those who simply can't live without some good old-fashioned historical shows. In thee 1870s, country girl Denise takes a job at The Paradise, one of the biggest department stores in the country. The series then explores the lives and romance of the people working in this story.

This Primetime Emmy-nominated show is a must for those who want to see a period drama not centered on the nobility. Bringing in elements of the workplace shows to the period piece drama makes for an interesting and unique combination that allows it to stand out in both genres. It is a little more lighthearted than Poldark, while still keeping the historical aesthetic in its exploration of this intriguing world.

13 Land Girls (2009-2011)

3 Seasons, 15 Episodes

Land Girls has a stronger female focus that Poldark sometimes lacked, even with the presence of Demelza and Elizabeth. Similar to Poldark, it has a war-based background, this one taking place during World War II, and it dares to go where other shows hadn't gone in the past. With 15 episodes spanning three seasons, Land Girls took its viewers through the motions and hardships alongside the Women's Land Army who struggle in all areas of life against the backdrop of a violent war.

While there are many great shows looking at the war, Land Girls gives a unique perspective on an aspect of the efforts not often depicted in these stories. The series won the "Best Daytime Programme" at the 2010 Broadcast Awards and received praise for its performances that elevate the gripping drama.

12 Home Fires (2015-2016)

2 Seasons, 12 Episodes

Like Poldark, Home Fires takes place during a war, though at a later point in history. It actually shares a lot of similarities with Land Girls as Home Fires is about a group of women living during World War II. It stands out thanks to its inspirational and awe-inducing trio of protagonists who introduce viewers to life in a rural Cheshire community while the world is ravaged by war.

Home Fires only lasted for two seasons, with twelve episodes in total, but the content makes up for what the show lacks in quantity. It's an intense drama, with many emotional moments throughout carried by another excellent female ensemble. Rural life during the war is another area of history that does not get mentioned often, but this is a captivating look at what those struggles were like and the bravery of the people who held the communities together.

11 Mr. Selfridge (2013-2016)

4 Seasons, 40 Episodes

For anyone who loved the self-made-man narrative from shows like Poldark, Mr. Selfridge is a great alternative. Based on the story behind the founder of the Selfridge & Co. department store in London, this cheerful, yet heartbreaking show is about Harry Gordon Selfridge, the flamboyant and ambitious man, played by American actor Jeremy Piven. The cast of characters is also filled with the people who made the business possible, including Slefridge's wife, Rose.

Those who know Piven best as Ari Gold from the HBO comedy series Entourage may be a bit thrown by his performance here. Even though it lacks the British charm that characterizes shows like Poldark, it brings to the table fantastic performances, mind-blowing sets, and great dialogue. There's plenty of Mr. Selfridge for viewers to sink their teeth into with over 40 episodes over four seasons.

10 Little Dorrit (2008)

1 Season, 14 Episodes

Many of the best shows that capture the same feeling of Poldark's period story are based on pieces of classic literature and that is indeed the case with the 2008 British miniseries Little Dorrit. Based on the story by Charles Dickens, the seven-time Emmy-winning Little Dorrit stars Claire Foy, long before her time as the first Queen Elizabeth on The Crown. She plays Amy, a young woman in 1800s England who is working as a seamstress while she cares for her father serving in debtor prison.

Themes like social class and romance are explored, which fans of shows like Poldark will recognize immediately while also being themes Charles Dickens was fond of exploring. The hard work and determination of Amy makes her one of his most heroic characters. Along with Foy's strong performance, it stars some of the most talented British actors of this generation, including Mathew Macfadyen, Andy Serkis, and Eddie Marsan.

9 Wuthering Heights (2009)

1 Season, 2 Episodes

When it comes to literary classics that influenced shows like Poldark, Wuthering Heights is one of the most impactful stories in English literature. This English masterpiece by Emily Brontë has received adaptations for both the big and small screen several times, in the story of a young man who is raised by a wealthy family only to set in motion a plan of revenge against each of the family which plays out in fascinating manners.

For the TV version, the 2009 series starring Tom Hardy as Heathcliff presents a stirring and impressive take on the classic material. While the show might not match up with some of the movie adaptations of Wuthering Heights, Hardy received almost universal praise for his performance. The miniseries also stars Charlotte Riley as Catherine and The Walking Dead's Andrew Lincoln as Edgar Linton.

8 Jane Eyre (2006)

1 Season, 4 Episodes

Charlotte Bronte's novel, Jane Eyre has also been the target of endless movies and TV show adaptations over the years. However, the 2006 version might be the best one to date, mostly due to how faithful it is to the source material. The miniseries stars Ruth Wilson as the titular character, a governess who falls in love with her master, Rochester (Toby Stephens). However, his brooding and complicated personality holds dark secrets that may tear them apart.

The performances are a delight, and even though it's a miniseries, it's worth a watch

The grim and dark feel of the show will feel familiar to fans of Poldark, much like Jane and Rochester's rocky relationship. The performances are a delight, and even though it's a miniseries, it's worth a watch. It also picked up three Emmy wins out of nine nominations while Wilson's powerful performance received attention from many other awards.

7 Victoria (2016-2019)

3 Seasons, 25 Episodes

Something Poldark might be lacking for fans of the period drama genre is the more regal and lavish world that many of these shows feature. Luckily, they will find the historical drama Victoria fits the bill. The series lasted for three seasons and followed Queen Victoria's early life. The first season was about the first few years of her reign, with the third season finishing 14 years later as she was a mother of six while struggling with political problems.

The show picked up two Emmy nominations during its run and received widespread critical acclaim.

Jenna Coleman starred as Victoria with Tom Hughes as Prince Albert, her husband. The series combined the thrilling nature of the period setting with the soap opera storytelling of romance and intrigue among the various characters. Coleman made for a captivating lead, carrying the daunting role with grace and strength. The show picked up two Emmy nominations during its run and received widespread critical acclaim.

6 Reign (2013-2017)

4 Seasons, 78 Episodes

While Poldark mostly takes itself seriously in its period drama story, fans of the show may be interested in something with similar vibes yet offering something a little lighter and fun. Reign is the historical TV show that fits that description. The series follows the rise of Mary, Queen of Scots as she arrives in as a teenager and details her survival tactics in her years in the French court with plenty of political and sexual intrigue at play.

The show has dozens of historical inaccuracies, but for pure entertainment value, it delivers over-the-top drama with great aplomb. The storylines are often a little more teen drama-based, but it makes the life and times of Mary, Queen of Scots interesting. The costumes are the one thing that makes the show worth watching for fans of historical epics.