For lovers of period pieces, social issues and psychology, look no further than the Netflix mini-series, Alias Grace. It follows the story of Grace Marks, a young Irish immigrant who is imprisoned for murdering her employer and his housekeeper. A young psychiatrist, Dr. Simon Jordan, is tasked with assessing her in order to escape execution. Fact and fiction quickly become blurred as Jordan unravels Marks' retelling of events leading up to the murders.
Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, the series delves into the ideas of trauma, scandal and unnatural psychology as Dr. Jordan attempts to prove that Grace is not the murderess she's been accused of. If the mini-series tickles your fancy, the internet (including Reddit) has more than a few suggestions of similar shows.
The Handmaid's Tale
This series, based on Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, follows the life of Offred, a young woman living in the totalitarian society of Gilead. Plagued by environmental disasters and a low birth rate, fertile women are forced to have children for those who cannot.
Not only are they both based on Atwood's source material, but they focus on issues surrounding women in a society that sees them as lesser than.
Murdoch Mysteries
This Canadian mystery series follows the adventures of Detective William Murdoch in Ontario in the late 19th/early 20th century. He is known for solving crimes using advanced technology for the time. Reddit Truthisnotallowed describes it as "very popular" and "still going strong after 12 seasons" (now 14).
This series is similar to Alias Grace in the sense that they are both period pieces. They also involve characters using methods unknown for the time to solve a particular problem (advanced psychology and science).
The Bletchley Circle
This series follows the journey of four female codebreakers working in the estate Bletchley Park for the British militia during WWII. After becoming dissatisfied with how the local police handle crimes, they decide to start investigations on their own.
The series has been described as "somewhat more serious - and more disturbing - but excellent" by Reddit Truthisnotallowed. Similarly to Alias Grace, it is a period piece (although from the mid-20th century), and it follows women as they prove their intelligence and depth in a deeply patriarchal world.
Foyle's War
Described as the "best of the best" and a "must-see [...] for all murdery mystery fans," this is the shining diamond of Reddit Truthisnotallowed's recommendations. The series follows Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle as he solves crimes during WWII and the Cold War. He faces many obstacles, including the British militia and intelligence.
Both Foyle's War and Alias Grace are both works of historical fiction that offer the viewers insight into their respective time periods. They also revolve around the notions of justice.
Bomb Girls
Bomb Girls follow the lives of four different women working in a Canadian munitions factory during WWII. The series follows their lives within the factory, as well as the issues they face, not only in the war effort, but also as women at the time.
women demonstrating bravery and tenacity in the face of obstacles in their society.
Harlots
Harlots follows the lives of sex workers in mid-18th century London as they fight against the wave of evangelical Christianity threatening their way of life, as well as competition between brothels.
Both this series and Alias Grace are period pieces centered around women as they fight to leave their mark in their individual patriarchal societies. Both series are also centered around scandalous issues of the time and how they affect the women involved.
Call The Midwife
in London post-WWII. It covers many issues pertaining to women, including reproductive health, abortions, and pregnancy, as well as poverty and imprisonment.
The scandal and suspicion surrounding abortion and sexuality also plays a role in Alias Grace and contributes to the discussion surrounding women and their place in society, which both series tackles. As hysteria falls on the small town, everyone involved is forever affected.
Murder On The Homefront
This short, British crime drama follows a pathologist during the London Blitz as he races to find a serial killer after a number of women are killed. He uses groundbreaking (for the time) forensics and science to eventually apprehend the suspect. It's been described as "a cross between Foyle’s War and Silent Witness."
This is a period piece that offers insight into a turbulent time in history. Also, just like Alias Grace, it introduces notions that differ from the status quo for the time period and begs the question if these new notions come at a cost (i.e. Dr. Jordan running away from Grace's case).
Picnic At Hanging Rock
This mini-series, based on a novel and film, follows the disappearance of three young students from an elite private school in 1900 Australia and its aftermath. It explores the notions of conspiracy, panic and grief.
Alias Grace also deals with the issue of conspiracy and suspicion, particularly around young Grace Marks and her reasons for becoming a murderer. There is also the exploration of grief around Dr. Jordan as he struggles with Grace's case.
The Red Tent
Recommended, along with Alias Grace, on Taste Dive, The Red Tent follows the life of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, during the Old Testament. Her tribe upkeeps an ancient tradition of "the Red Tent" for women who are menstruating and who hide their pagan beliefs from the Israeli patriarchs in their tribe.
Not only is this series a period piece, but it tackles the issues of women and the scandal revolving around beliefs that differ from the status quo. This parallels the study of psychiatry that Dr. Jordan is involved in.