Period Dramas on Acorn TV in 2020

Last Updated on January 4, 2021

Let’s check in with Acorn TV, North America’s largest streaming service specializing in British and international television to see which period dramas are available in 2020. 

Below, you’ll find what’s coming to Acorn in the next month, followed by a big list of other historical, costume, and period dramas that are streaming on Acorn TV in 2020. We’ve sorted that list into various categories like literary adaptations, mysteries, foreign language dramas, and movies and series set in a specific time period. 

You’ll want to bookmark this page, as it will be updated all year as new movies and series in the genre are added. If you watch Acorn TV as an Amazon add-on channel, click on “Add to your WATCHLIST” at the end of each description to save these shows for future viewing.

Acorn TV offers a free trial for subscribers, so they can start to binge programming from its ever-growing slate of world-class mysteries, dramas and comedies from Britain and other countries. The free trial is available on the Prime Acorn TV Add-on Channel.

Alternatively, those interested can also sign up here on the Acorn TV website and use promo code WT30 for an extended 30-day free trial just for Willow and Thatch readers.

New for Period Drama Fans in December 2020

A Music Lover’s Guide to Murdoch Mysteries (TV Special)

Acorn TV typically delights fans with the new season of “Murdoch Mysteries” on Christmas Eve, but production has been delayed this year due to COVID-19. So the producers of this long-running, award-winning Canadian series have created a behind-the-scenes music special with a seven-piece ensemble from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to perform a concert of Murdoch-era music (circa early 1900s.)

Hosted by the Detective William Murdoch himself (Yannick Bisson), this intimate special was taped on the set of Murdoch Mysteries on September 25, 2020.

Read more about Murdoch Mysteries.

Add to your WATCHLIST

Available December 24

A Suitable Boy (2020)

An epic tale of life and love set in vibrant 1950s India in the first screen adaptation of the classic, bestselling, 1,349-page novel of the same name by Vikram Seth, adapted by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace, Les Misérables). 

With a dynamic cast of India’s most well-known actors alongside rising stars, this six-part, six-hour drama tells the story of spirited university student Lata Mehra as she comes of age in North India at the same time as the country is carving out its own identity as an independent nation and is about to go to the polls for its first democratic general election.

Read more about it.

Starring Tanya Maniktala, Ishaan Khatter, Tabu, Mahira Kakkar, Danesh Razvi, Namit Das, Mikhail Sen. 

Add to your WATCHLIST

Available December 7, 2020 (with two episodes; followed by weekly episodes on Mondays, through January 4, 2021)

Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball (2013)

This BBC documentary celebrating the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice reveals the hidden world behind one of the greatest love stories of all time by re-staging an early 19th Century Regency ball at Chawton House, the grand estate of Jane Austen’s brother in an idyllic corner of the English countryside.

Amanda Vickery and Alastair Sooke lead a team of world-class experts as they reconstruct the ball in loving detail, from music and dancing to food and fashion. We unpack the surprising truth about every aspect of Regency life, on location at the house where Jane Austen’s brother used to live and where she herself spent many happy hours. The film’s climax is a stunning, authentic ball inspired by Austen’s Netherfield dance, a turning point in the romance between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy.

With Amanda Vickery and Alastair Sooke.

Add to your WATCHLIST

Available December 28

Victorian Farm (2008)

Period reality series. Frozen in time, lost in Victorian rural England, the Acton Scott Estate in Shropshire is the setting for this landmark BBC Two observational series. In a unique project, historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn immerse themselves in the life of the Victorian farmer. Using the antique tools and machinery collected by the Acton family over the centuries and laboring for a full calendar year, the team rediscover a forgotten world of skills, craft and knowledge – assisted by the ever-dwindling band of experts who try to keep such crafts alive – providing a fascinating insight into a pivotal time in agricultural history. (6 EPS)

With Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands, Peter Ginn.

Add to your WATCHLIST

Available December 7

Victorian Farm: Christmas (2009)

Period reality series special. Following the success of BBC Two’s “Victorian Farm” series, three more one-hour specials look at the lives of 19th Century farmers. Filmed in and around the Acton Scott Estate in Shropshire, historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn return to the Estate to tackle an array of new farming tasks; to explore life in the wider working countryside; and discover in depth how the Victorians created the celebration of Christmas as we know it today – from greeting cards and Christmas Carols to the rich array of festive food they put on the table. (3 EPS)

With Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands, Peter Ginn.

Add to your WATCHLIST

Available December 24

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Growing Up Gracefully (2017): From sister comedy duo Hannah and Eliza Reilly and celebrated Australian producer Julian Morrow (The Chaser, The Letdown), this humorous series explores what it means to be a woman in the 21st century, weighing in on broad and universal themes including courtship, sex, career and spirituality. After discovering the 1950s teen advice book “Growing Up Gracefully,” Hannah and Eliza ask themselves – as two misguided twenty-somethings growing up in a generation raised by the internet – how do we learn to become fully functioning adults? As they take on the six key milestones of adulthood, Hannah – the reckless party girl – road tests the stuffy ladies etiquette of the past, and Eliza – the dorky home body -is forced to follow the new-fangled women’s advice of today. (6 EPS) Available December 14 Add to your WATCHLIST

Period Dramas on Acorn TV in 2020

The following list of historical, costume, period dramas currently streaming on Acorn TV is divided into categories: Adapted from the Novel, Set in New Territories, Set around The Great War & Second World War, Set in the 1950s and 1960s, Foreign Language Period Dramas, Period-set Comedy and Fantasy, For Fans of Sleuthing, and Related Documentaries and Docudramas. After that, we share any news about upcoming period dramas.

If you aren’t already a subscriber, you can still watch these shows: Acorn TV offers a 7-day free trial on their website, and for the Acorn TV Add-on Channel.

Adapted from the Novel

A Dance to the Music of Time: A brilliant adaptation of a literary masterpiece, “A Dance to the Music of Time” chronicles a half century of British upper-class life through the eyes of protagonist Nicholas Jenkins (James Purefoy, Rome). From the 1920s through the 1960s, friendship, adultery, ambition, and failure play out against the backdrop of London’s social, political, and artistic life. Based on Anthony Powell’s 12 novel cycle. Add to your WATCHLIST

An Accidental Soldier: This tender and unexpected love story set amid the tumult of WWI follows an army deserter who takes refuge with a grieving French woman. As she teaches him what courage truly is, he shows her the beauty in life that she thought was gone. Based on the novel Silent Parts by John Charalambous, and research into the stories of Australian soldiers in Normandy during WW1. Add to your WATCHLIST

Anna Karenina: One of the greatest books of all time comes alive in this romantic saga based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel. In 19th century Russia, aristocrat Anna Karenina (Helen McCrory, Peaky Blinders) has a passionate extramarital affair with the dashing Count Vronsky that could lead to both their ruin. Stephen Dillane and Mark Strong also star. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Black Velvet Gown: Adapted from Catherine Cookson’s novel and set in 1830s Northumberland, this International Emmy Award-winning drama is the story of a mother and daughter facing the need to challenge and fight the prejudices of their age. Their destinies are shaped by the fact that they can read and write; this difference sets them apart and catapults them to a different destiny than would have otherwise been their lot. Add to your WATCHLIST

Cider with Rosie: This beautifully shot, elegiac drama is a coming-of-age story set in a remote English valley post-WWI. Raised by his kindly mother (Samantha Morton) among a pack of siblings, Laurie Lee experiences the wonders of love and friendship but also the brutality of loss and death. Based on the book by Laurie Lee. Add to your WATCHLIST

Doctor Finlay: Based on the classic stories by A.J. Cronin, this charming period drama follows Dr. Finlay (David Rintoul, Pride and Prejudice), who returns home after WWII to a rundown medical practice in a Scottish village. There, he confronts small-town politics as he advocates for change. Annette Crosbie and Oscar nominee Ian Bannen co-star. Add to your WATCHLIST

Fanny Hill: Screenwriter Andrew Davies brings all of his sly wit to this adaptation of 18th-century Britain’s most notorious novel. With a mischievous glint in her eye and plenty of knowing winks, Fanny relates her journey from wholesome naif to worldly woman. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Far Pavilions: This epic tale of passion, treachery, and intrigue in colonial India is based on the international bestseller by M.M. Kaye. Ben Cross is a young army officer fighting local unrest and cultural prejudice, with Amy Irving as his forbidden love. Christopher Lee, Omar Sharif, and John Gielgud also star. Available only with the Prime Acorn TV Add-on Channel. Add to your WATCHLIST

Fingersmith: An acclaimed BBC adaptation of the Sarah Waters novel. The lives of two young women collide in an engrossing Victorian thriller that alternates between the twisting back alleyways of Dickensian London and the cloistered gloom of a Gothic mansion. 2 episodes. Starring Imelda Staunton, Charles Dance, Sally Hawkins, Rupert Evans, Elaine Cassidy. Add to your WATCHLIST 

I, Claudius: Winner of an Emmy and numerous other awards, this BBC epic is a tale of ambition, debauchery, and intrigue based on the novels by Robert Graves. Rated one of the “100 Best TV Shows of All Time” by Time magazine, the series spans the history of the Roman Empire from Augustus through Claudius and stars Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart, Sian Phillips, Lindsay Duncan, John Hurt, and Brian Blessed. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Irish RM: Classic series based on the on the turn-of-the-century stories by Somerville and Ross. Peter Bowles (To the Manor Born) stars as Major Sinclair Yeates, a retired English army officer who becomes a Resident Magistrate in pre-independence West Ireland. Add to your WATCHLIST

Lorna Doone: John Ridd was just a boy when the villainous Carver Doone callously murdered his father. Now a young man, John has two driving passions: his thirst for revenge against the outlaw Doones, and his love for the beautiful Lorna, daughter of his sworn enemies. Clive Owen, Sean Bean, and a luminous Polly Walker star in this action-packed adventure set in lawless 17th-century England during the Monmouth rebellion. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Mayor of Casterbridge: Ciarán Hinds stars in this award-winning adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel of redemption and regret. In 19th-century England, a drunken farmworker auctions off his wife and baby girl. Horrified by his actions, he turns sober and prosperous, but his family’s return decades later precipitates his downfall. Also starring James Purefoy and Polly Walker. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab: Based on the international bestselling novel by Fergus Hume, this twisty Victorian era period drama set in 1880s Melbourne starts with the murder of a man connected to wealthy benefactor, Mark Frettlby. The victim’s romantic rival, Brian Fitzgerald, is arrested for the crime, but refuses to provide an alibi. His lawyer, Duncan Calton, and his wealthy fiancée, Madge Frettlby, are forced to search for the truth themselves in order to save his life. Their investigation not only uncovers a trail of secrets and scandal from opium dens and brothels to the cream of society, but their revelation threatens to tear Madge’s family apart. Add to your WATCHLIST

Poldark: This epic saga created a sensation when it first aired on Masterpiece Theatre in 1975, drawing comparisons to “Gone with the Wind.” Set in 18th-century Cornwall after America’s War for Independence, Robin Ellis stars as Captain Ross Poldark, a young hero who returns home to find his estate in ruins, his inheritance gone, and his beloved Elizabeth (Jill Townsend) engaged to another man. Add to your WATCHLIST

Porterhouse Blue: Malcolm Bradbury’s four-part adaptation of Tom Sharpe’s classic comic novel about the fictional Porterhouse college in Cambridge, noted for its rowing, ancient traditions, feasting, crusty fellows and the dismal academic standards of its students. When the headmaster dies, the government appoints an old graduate as his successor – the politician Sir Godber Evans, who is determined to drag this bastion of privilege into the 20th century and announces a major break with six centuries of college tradition: Porterhouse will open its doors to scholars! Add to your WATCHLIST

The Scapegoat: Emmy winner® Matthew Rhys stars in this morally complex, darkly comic, and suspenseful film based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier. When unemployed teacher John runs into his doppelgänger, he ends up switching places with the wealthy but wicked Johnny. Also starring Eileen Atkins. Set in the UK in 1952 as Britain prepares for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Scarlet Pimpernel: This Emmy-nominated adaptation of the classic swashbucking tale stars Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman) and Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited). While enemies of the new French Republic are carried to off to the guillotine, more than a few of France’s hated aristocrats have escaped execution thanks to the actions of a dashing young Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel. Based on the first novel in a series of historical fiction by Baroness Orczy. Add to your WATCHLIST

Under Capricorn: Based on the popular novel by Helen Simpson and filmed on location in Australia, this engrossing saga follows a young Irish immigrant who arrives in New South Wales to seek his fortune. He finds himself entangled with a local wealthy family, and uncovers more than a few secrets that won’t stay buried. Add to your WATCHLIST

War & Peace: This magnificent adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic was filmed in six European countries by Oscar-nominated director Robert Dornhelm. Malcolm McDowell, Brenda Blethyn, Clemence Poesy, and Ken Duken star in this sumptuous adaptation of one of the world’s greatest novels about four aristocratic families in Russia during the Napoleonic era. Add to your WATCHLIST

Wide Sargasso Sea: In this prequel to Jane Eyre, based on the novel by Jean Rhys, the infamous madwoman in the attic becomes a sympathetic character of her own. In 1830s Jamaica, Creole heiress Antoinette (Rebecca Hall, Parade’s End) marries Englishman Edward Rochester (Rafe Spall), but their love sinks into suspicion and betrayal. Add to your WATCHLIST

Also see Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill: In a luminous performance that won her the Golden Globe® for best actress, Lee Remick stars as the mother of Sir Winston Churchill in this acclaimed British miniseries. Following her through her whirlwind marriage, Winston’s youth, a feud with royalty, exile from England, and her eventual return, this is a captivating portrait of a spirited American woman, with an outstanding cast. Not based on a book, but it was written by playwright Julian Mitchell, who drew on private letters and papers from the Churchill family. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Sleuthing section below also has numerous Agatha Christie adaptations, alongside other period-set mysteries based on books, like “The Secret Agent.”

Set in New Territories

Dominion Creek: In 1897, the Connolly brothers-recent immigrants from Ireland-dream of striking it rich in the Wild West. When news reaches them of a fortune in the Yukon, youngest brother Samus heads north to the town of Dominion, leaving Tom and Pdraig no choice but to follow their wayward sibling. Add to your WATCHLIST

Jericho: In 1870s Yorkshire, recent widow Annie Quaintain (Jessica Raine, Call the Midwife, Wolf Hall) is forced to sell her house and possessions to pay off her late husband’s debts. Penniless and shunned by society, Annie sets up a lodging house in Jericho, a lawless shanty town full of rough and rowdy workers. Add to your WATCHLIST

New Worlds: Jamie Dornan stars in this lavish period drama set in England and the American colonies during the 1680s. A gripping tale of love, loss, and the human price paid in the struggle for liberty, New Worlds also stars Joe Dempsie, Jeremy Northam, Tom Payne, and Donald Sumpter. Add to your WATCHLIST

Set around The Great War & Second World War

And Then There Were None: On the brink of World War II, 10 troubled strangers are invited to an isolated island–and targeted for death, one by one. Based on the bestselling crime novel of all time by Agatha Christie, this period mystery boasts an all-star cast including Charles Dance, Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Anna Maxwell Martin, Toby Stephens, Burn Gorman, Noah Taylor, and Aidan Turner. Add to your WATCHLIST

ANZAC Girls: A series recounting the true-life stories of Australian and New Zealand army nurses during World War 1. This richly-detailed Australian series recounts the largely untold stories of five brave Australian and New Zealand army nurses who travelled halfway across the world to serve in World War 1. Full of romantic notions, they face the carnage of Gallipoli and the Western front, horrific living conditions, prejudice, and devastating personal loss. Rising to meet the challenge, they find love and lasting friendship. Based on Peter Rees’ book “The Other ANZACS,” drawing on the real nurses’ letters, journals, and historical records, this acclaimed miniseries tells the harrowing, life-affirming stories of these unsung heroines. Add to your WATCHLIST

Bomb Girls: Set during World War II, “Bomb Girls” tells the remarkable stories of women who risked their lives in a munitions factory as they build bombs for the European front. Liberated from social and cultural restrictions, they embrace their newfound freedom – changing their lives and the world around them — forever.  Starring Meg Tilly, Jodi Balfour, Charlotte Hegele, Ali Liebert, Anastasia Phillips. Add to your WATCHLIST

Close to the Enemy: An all-star cast including Jim Sturgess, Alfred Molina, Angela Bassett, Alfie Allen, and Lindsay Duncan anchors this lavish British drama set in a bomb-damaged London hotel during the aftermath of WWII. Intelligence officer Callum Ferguson must complete his last task for the Army: convince captured German scientist Dieter Koehler to work with the British government. Add to your WATCHLIST

Foyle’s War: Combining historical accuracy with compelling mysteries, this award winning British series is a must-watch. Michael Kitchen stars as Christopher Foyle, the upright, laconic detective tasked with investigating cases on the home front as WWII ravages the social fabric of his coastal community. Add to your WATCHLIST

Land Girls (2009): Follow the lives, loves and highs and lows of four members of Britain’s Women’s Land Army who are working at the Hoxley Estate during World War II. They soon discover that their decision to serve their country will change their lives forever. The four girls in this BBC period drama each have their own reasons for signing up – patriotic Joyce wants to “do her bit,” argumentative Nancy is there under sufferance, and sensible Annie joined so that her younger sister Bea could escape an abusive father. Add to your WATCHLIST

Restless: This Emmy-nominated BBC drama is a tale of passion, duplicity, and betrayal. boasts a terrific cast. Ruth Gilmartin (Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey) is stunned to learn that her mother (Charlotte Rampling, Broadchurch), has been living a double life. Her real name is Eva Delectorskaya, and she worked as a spy for the British in the 1940s. Read our review. Add to your WATCHLIST

Also see “An Accidental Soldier,” “Cider with Rosie,” and “Doctor Finlay,” listed in the Adapted from the Novel section above. 

Set in the 1950s and 1960s

A Place to Call Home: This binge-worthy saga is brimming with secrets, passion, romance, and intrigue. Over six addictive seasons, “A Place to Call Home” explores the ties that hold families together and the betrayals that can tear them apart. Read our interview. Add to your WATCHLIST

Cilla: Priscilla White is a typist from working-class Liverpool who dreams of stardom; Bobby Willis is the chancer who pursues her; Brian Epstein is the young genius who will later guide The Beatles to superstardom. Cilla tells the true story of how these three lives intertwine to propel Cilla to the top of the charts–but at a cost. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Hour: Set in the 1950s, this Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated BBC drama delves into the high-stakes world of TV news. Ben Whishaw, Romola Garai, and Dominic West headline an all-star cast that includes Anna Chancellor and Peter Capaldi. Read our review. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Indian Doctor: This uplifting and charming period drama from the BBC follows an Indian doctor (Sanjeev Bhaskar) who moves to a small Welsh village in the early 1960s. As he and his upper class wife (Ayesha Dharker, Indian Summers) adjust to life in the mining town, they start to change the community–and the community changes them. Add to your WATCHLIST

Jericho of Scotland Yard: Robert Lindsay stars as Chief Inspector Michael Jericho of Scotland Yard, a respected, uncompromising, and forward-thinking detective investigating high-profile murders in 1950s London. Set during a fascinating period of Britain’s social history, the series is more than a whodunnit, offering a peek at the explosion of shifting attitudes after the Second World War. Add to your WATCHLIST

Mrs Biggs: In a role that won her a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress, Sheridan Smith stars as Mrs. Charmian Biggs, naive wife of one of the infamous criminals behind Britain’s Great Train Robbery, Ronnie Biggs (Daniel Mays). Add to your WATCHLIST

Also see “Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries” in the Sleuthing section below.

Foreign Language Period Dramas

The Life of Verdi: Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 and lived until 1901, a life that spanned nearly a century of considerable political and personal turmoil. This 1982 biographical television miniseries, as seen on PBS’s Great Performances, dramatizes the life of this classic Italian composer known for operas including La Traviata, Rigoletto, and Aida. Italian with English subtitles. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Promised Life: This epic Italian-language saga follows a courageous mother’s quest to make a better life for her family in the face of tragedy and hardship. In the early 1920s, Carmela Carrizzo and her husband farm lands in Sicily belonging to the unscrupulous Spanò. After a series of misfortunes, Carmela resolves to leave Italy for an uncertain but hopeful future in New York. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Viceroys: Set in Sicily in the early 1800’s, this series follows the tribulations of Consalvo Uzeda from childhood to adulthood. With the Unification of Italy in 1861, and the rise to power of Giuseppe Garibaldi and Vittorio Emanuele II, the Consalvo’s family begins to lose their power, but his father, the tyrannical Prince Giacomo, will do anything to retain it. Italian with English subtitles. Add to your WATCHLIST

Vidago Palace: Nominated for numerous European TV awards, this Portuguese-language romantic saga is set in 1936 at the opulent Vidago Palace hotel, a haven for Europe’s elite from the Spanish Civil War erupting across the border. Young aristocrat Carlota is engaged to marry the wealthy César and save her family from bankruptcy, but when she falls for the son of the hotel’s concierge, she must decide her destiny. Add to your WATCHLIST

Also see “Les Petits Meurtres D’Agatha Christie” in the Sleuthing section below. 

Period-set Comedy and Fantasy

Anglo Saxon Attitudes: This biting satire based on the acclaimed novel skewers British hypocrisy, Richard Johnson (The Camomile Lawn) plays a historian coming to terms with his life’s folly and the affair he had with his best friend’s fiancee (Tara Fitzgerald). Co-starring Daniel Craig in one of his first roles. Available only with the Prime Acorn TV Add-on Channel. Add to your WATCHLIST

Dead Still: A six-episode Victorian era crime drama and Acorn Original. Set in 1880s Ireland, this darkly comic murder mystery follows renowned memorial photographer Brock Blennerhasset (Michael Smiley), who makes a living out of taking photos of the dead in the Victorian era of “postmortem photography.” Blennerhasset becomes targeted as a possible suspect in a series of murders and with his family put in harm’s way, tenacious detective Frederick Regan (Aidan O’Hare) drags him into an investigation of Dublin’s criminal underbelly to track down the real serial killer before he strikes again. Inspired by a true-life Irish tradition in the 1800s, this series also stars Kerr Logan (Alias Grace) and Eileen O’Higgins (Brooklyn, Mary Queen of Scots). Add to your WATCHLIST

Decline and Fall: This acclaimed BBC adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s (Brideshead Revisited) novel follows Paul Pennyfeather (Jack Whitehall), an unassuming Oxford theology student whose expulsion finds him working under headmaster Fagan (David Suchet, Poirot) at a third-rate private school in Wales. Add to your WATCHLIST

Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal: In this lavish made-for-TV adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s novel–part of the bestselling, delightfully surreal Discworld series–con man Moist von Lipwig (Richard Coyle) is caught by the law and given two choices: suffer a painful death or take over a derelict post office. Claire Foy (The Crown), David Suchet (Poirot), and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) also star. Add to your WATCHLIST

For Fans of Sleuthing

Agatha Christie Hour: From renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie come these tales of intrigue and romance set in Art Deco-era England. These classic adaptations feature star-studded casts, including John Nettles, Amanda Redman, Stephanie Cole, and Rupert Everett. Add to your WATCHLIST

Agatha Christie’s Marple (Season 6): Proper, demure, and sharp as a tack, Agatha Christie’s spinster sleuth is brilliantly portrayed by Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie in these charming period mysteries. Guest stars include Benedict Cumberbatch, Joanna Lumley, Laurence Fox, Matthew Goode, and others. Add to your WATCHLIST

Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime: Jessica Raine (Wolf Hall, Call the Midwife) and David Walliams (Little Britain) star in these delightful adaptations of Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence mysteries. Set in Cold War Britain, the bickering, bantering couple find themselves embroiled in a series of mysteries and espionage plots. Add to your WATCHLIST

Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The Mysterious Affair at Styles: Watch the story that started it all with this delightful adaptation of Agatha Christie’s first Poirot novel. In the summer of 1917, Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser) convalesces from his war injuries at the home of the wealthy Cavendishes, but tensions simmer among the family. When the trouble at the estate turns criminal, Hastings calls upon his old friend Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) for help. Add to your WATCHLIST

Agatha Christie’s The Witness for the Prosecution: An all-star cast including Kim Cattrall, Andrea Riseborough, Toby Jones, and David Haig feature in this acclaimed TV movie based on Agatha Christie’s timeless murder mystery. Set in 1920s London, this is a sumptuous adaptation. Add to your WATCHLIST

Foyle’s War: Combining historical accuracy with compelling mysteries, this award winning British series is a must-watch. Michael Kitchen stars as Christopher Foyle, the upright, laconic detective tasked with investigating cases on the home front as WWII ravages the social fabric of his coastal community. Add to your WATCHLIST

Les Petits Meurtres D’Agatha Christie: Agatha Christie’s masterful storytelling gets a dash of French flair in these sexy, witty mysteries. In 1930s France, Superintendent Larosière has a passion for beautiful women and solving cases, while hapless young inspector Lampion just tries to keep up. And in the mid-50s, ultra-suave Commissioner Laurence unravels the knottiest crimes. These French adaptations are a fresh, stylish twist on classic Christie tales. Add to your WATCHLIST

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears: In this lighthearted feature film, Essie Davis returns in the role as the slinky, seductive and risk-taking Melbourne sleuth The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher embarking on an exhilarating new journey of mystery and mayhem through exotic 1920s British Palestine and the opulence of grand London manors. In 1929 Jerusalem, Phryne’s rescue of a young Bedouin girl leads her on a globe-trotting adventure to uncover priceless treasures, wartime secrets, and an ancient tomb bearing a terrible curse, with the help of handsome detective Jack Robinson. Starring Essie Davis, Nathan Page, Ashleigh Cummings, Rupert Penry-Jones, Miriam Margolyes. Add to your WATCHLIST

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: This stylish and sexy period mystery stars Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher, a thoroughly modern woman operating in a mostly male world. Set in 1920s Melbourne, the series follows the glamorous lady detective as she goes about her work with a pistol close at hand and, more often than not, a male admirer even closer. Add to your WATCHLIST

Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries: In this spin-off to the wildly popular Australian mystery series, Phryne Fisher’s long-lost niece, Peregrine, decides to follow in her stylish footsteps as a lady detective for a new era. With the help of the handsome, straitlaced Detective James Steed and a group of accomplished women, Peregrine investigates murders in 1960s Melbourne. Add to your WATCHLIST

Murdoch Mysteries: In this beloved, award-winning Canadian series, Detective William Murdoch solves turn-of-the-century Toronto’s most intriguing mysteries with the help of Constable Crabtree, Dr. Julia Ogden, and Inspector Brackenreid. Read more about it. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes: From the pens of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s counterparts, these finely crafted mysteries showcase an impressive cast of investigators, often as colorful as the criminals they set out to catch. Stars in this classic anthology series include Peter Vaughan, John Neville, Donald Sinden, Donald Pleasence, and Jeremy Irons. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Secret Agent: In this thrilling BBC adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s timeless novel, Golden Globe nominee Toby Jones stars as Anton Verloc, an unassuming Soho shopkeeper. Unbeknownst to even his loyal wife, Winnie, Verloc also works for the Russian embassy as a spy. Add to your WATCHLIST

Also see “Dead Still” in the Comedy section above. 

Related Documentaries and Docudramas

The 1900 Island: A living history BBC series following four families who experience life as it was in a Victorian-era fishing village on the dramatic and wild tidal island of Llanddwyn off the coast of Anglesey in the start of the 20th century. It’s a time of hand to mouth existence as these families come face to face with the harsh realities of one of the toughest ways to make a living in 1900 Britain. They must adapt quickly to their new way of life, but bad weather, lack of experience and limited rations lead to hunger and frustrations. Add to your WATCHLIST

A Stitch in Time: Fashion is the mirror of history, said Louis XIV. Fusing biography, art, and history, this BBC documentary series explores the lives of historical figures through the clothes they wore. Fashion historian Amber Butchart looks for clues within the portraits, while costumer Ninya Mikhaila reconstructs a range of garments using only period techniques. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Badness of King George IV: Docudrama. George IV’s style and taste defined the Regency period, but as Prince Regent and as King, his extravagance and self-indulgence attracted ridicule, derision and hatred. Using an imaginative blend of drama and documentary, this film tells the story of Britain’s most unpopular and out-of-touch monarch played by Oliver Ford Davies. Using contemporary sources, the program pictures a dying, drug-addled King as he relives key events from his colorful life, haunted by the words of his critics. Robert Glenister plays the “Hellbound” (George’s word for his critics), who torments him with his failings. Add to your WATCHLIST

Being Poirot: After 25 years of playing one of television’s most beloved characters, David Suchet attempts to discover why fans have gravitated toward the great Hercule Poirot for all these years and shares his experience of portraying the iconic, enigmatic detective. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Brilliant Bronte Sisters: The Brontës’ works emerged out of the brutal Yorkshire moors to change English Literature forever. Today, their groundbreaking masterpieces remain a compulsive feature of school curriculums the world over. Actress Sheila Hancock, CBE paints vivid portraits of these exceptional women writers and examines the impact of their legacy. Sheila’s journey starts in the Yorkshire village of Haworth and the brutal moors that inspired Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights,” moves on to Brussels, where Charlotte Brontë developed the writing style that made “Jane Eyre” an enduring masterpiece, and ends in Scarborough, the last resting place of Anne Brontë.  Sheila meets leading authorities on the Brontës, as well as modern artists who have been inspired by their work. Delving through priceless artifacts and manuscripts, Sheila sheds new light on these remarkable and world-famous women. Add to your WATCHLIST

Churchill: Blood, Sweat & Oil Paint: This insightful BBC special chronicles the fascinating untold story of Winston Churchill’s lifelong love for painting, investigated by renowned presenter Andrew Marr. He meets Churchill’s descendants and explores the connections between his private passion for painting and his public career as politician and statesman. Add to your WATCHLIST 

Coast and Country: RAILWAYS: Host Julia Bradbury takes viewers on a BBC outdoor adventure to historic railways lines across England, Scotland and Wales. Follow the old tracks and explore the overgrown cuttings and ancient viaducts of Britain’s lost rail empire as we discover how the rise and fall of the railways has altered lives and localities across the UK. Through stunning landscapes and urban backstreets, each contrasting journey has a unique story to tell and offers insight into industrial Britain – from the limestone cliffs, tunnels and soaring viaducts of the Midland Railway to the pioneering tramways and crumbling engine houses of Cornwall. Add to your WATCHLIST 

Digging for Britain: In this captivating documentary series, Professor Alice Roberts visits archaeological excavations around the U.K. over a yearlong period, linking together the results of digs and investigations of the country’s history. Among the astonishing – and occasionally disturbing –stories explored: the thickening mystery of 97 baby skeletons found by the Thames, a Cambridgeshire site called the Pompeii of the Bronze Age provides an unparalleled glimpse of life 3,000 years ago; Marden Henge, where communal sweat lodges and feasting remains illuminate the lost rituals of Stonehenge; Trellech, an enormous lost Welsh city discovered seven centuries after it disappeared from historical record; and Kent’s Cavern, where Britain’s earliest human remains have been found. Add to your WATCHLIST 

Edward & Mary: The Unknown Tudors: Written and hosted by Dr. David Starkey (Beyond the Walls: in Search of the Celts), this documentary is the compelling story of two of England’s most striking monarchs: a brother and sister, tied by blood and affection, and torn apart by religion, power, and some of the bloodiest episodes in English history: Mary was the first born child of Henry VIII and for 20 years she was heir to her adored father. Then came the birth of her little half-brother Edward, and Mary found herself cast into the shadows, ignored by her father and declared illegitimate.  Mary ended up becoming England’s first reigning Queen since Matilda, and who is best known to generations of British schoolchildren as Bloody Mary. Add to your WATCHLIST 

Elizabeth I & Her Enemies: Queen Elizabeth I was one of England’s greatest monarchs, but she spent her life surrounded by enemies. Presenters Dan Jones (Britain’s Bloody Crown) and Suzannah Lipscomb (Hidden Killers) tell this dramatic tale of jealousy, betrayal, and ambition, with Lily Cole (Snow White and the Huntsman) portraying Elizabeth in the key clashes that shaped her life. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Genius of Roald Dahl: Roald Dahl is one of the most successful children’s authors of all time. His words weave magical worlds of incomparable sparkle; his characters continue to charm and terrify generations. Comedian and bestselling author David Walliams delves into Dahl’s world, meeting along the way those who knew him best. David meets Dahl’s widow at the family home, and chats with longtime illustrator Quentin Blake as he draws a Dahl villain. David also discovers Dahl’s teenage letters and early drafts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which reveal clues to how Dahl created his fantastical worlds. Add to your WATCHLIST

Heavenly Gardens: In this BBC One series, garden aficionado Alexander Armstrong and garden designer Arit Anderson visit six spectacular sacred UK gardens that symbolize beauty, joy and hope: from The Bishop’s Palace in Somerset to Pluscarden Abbey in the Highlands of Scotland; from Cambridge University’s stunning Botanical Gardens to Alnwick Castle’s restored gardens in Northumberland; from Scone Palace’s gardens of kings in Perthshire to Sudeley Castle’s sacred connections in the Cotswolds. Add to your WATCHLIST

Henry IX: The Lost King: Henry Frederick Stuart was the best king Britain never had. The son of King James I of England and Queen Anne, he started the British Museum and the Royal Collection and was the first royal prince to back a permanent settlement on American soil in the early 1700s. This immersive documentary resurrects this forgotten prince from the shadows of history and reveals the tragedy of his lost potential. Add to your WATCHLIST

Keeping the Castle: Living in a castle seems like a fairytale come true, but for these Irish aristocrats, keeping the family home up to scratch can often feel more like a nightmare. From hosting weddings and location shoots for TV shows to the ever-increasing financial challenges of maintaining aging edifices, discover the unique joys and surprising woes of owning grand, historic estates in this BBC docuseries. Add to your WATCHLIST

Living in the Shadow of World War II: War has never been limited to the battlefield. It destroys cities and kills loved ones, casting a shadow over everything it touches–but life somehow finds a way to shine, even in the toughest of times. Covering topics from rationing ingenuity to evacuating children and boosting morale, this eye-opening docuseries explores the lives of civilians on the ground as WWII raged around them. Add to your WATCHLIST

Lords and Ladles: Three of Ireland’s top chefs take viewers on a historical journey through the weird and wondrous glories of food. In each episode, they arrive at a stately country home to recreate a grand dinner from its past, using old recipes, unusual ingredients, and traditional cooking methods. Add to your WATCHLIST

Mount Stewart – The Big House Reborn: This fascinating documentary series grants exclusive access to capture the trials and tribulations of the £8 million restoration of Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland. Filmed over 3 years, see this National Trust-owned 18th Century neo-classical manor house and its extensive gardens restored to their former glory. For more than 200 years, The Mount Stewart House was the luxurious summer home of one of the most influential political and land-owning dynasties in Ireland. Add to your WATCHLIST

Narnia’s Lost Poet: The Secret Lives & Loves of C.S. Lewis: C.S. Lewis’s biographer, A.N. Wilson, goes in search of the man behind Narnia – the bestselling author who died on the same day as JFK’s assassination, and whose private life was very secretive. Even his best friend J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t know of his marriage to an American divorcée late in life. Add to your WATCHLIST 

Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages: Dame Penelope Keith travels through Britain’s charming villages to uncover what makes these places so unique and special. Armed with her beloved vintage ‘Batsford’ travel books, Penelope explores the rich artistic, literary and royal histories of each region, discovers how time has changed village communities, and seeks out quirky local traditions which continue to this day. Add to your WATCHLIST

Poirot: Super Sleuths: Go behind the scenes of the beloved series starring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s most famous detective. In this delightful documentary, the cast, crew, and a variety of experts discuss adapting Christie’s works and explore Poirot’s widespread appeal. Add to your WATCHLIST

Prince Charles: Inside the Duchy of Cornwall: Go behind the scenes of the historic Duchy of Cornwall during the year that HRH Prince Charles celebrates a half-century at the helm of this 700-year-old royal estate. With exclusive access to Prince Charles, as well as interviews, this documentary series provides a moving, candid and often humorous insight into a uniquely British institution. It includes scenes with Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. 2 episodes. Add to your WATCHLIST

A Royal Tour of the 20th Century: The British royal family has been at the center of the 20th century’s most iconic moments – two world wars, the end of empires, coronations, weddings, glittering tours, fashion and scandals – a century that saw the Windsors’ influence and participate in a wealth of defining historical moments, firmly making their mark on this important period of modern history. Through rarely-seen archival footage, viewers follow the official tours and state visits, discover the stories of far flung places, glimpse into the lives of those born of royal blood and the history of the destinations, and why it made them symbolic locations on the royal touring map. Add to your WATCHLIST

She-Wolves: England’s Early Queens: Hosted by Dr. Helen Castor and filmed on location in England and France, this captivating BBC series explores the lives of seven English queens who challenged male power, the fierce and fiery reactions they provoked, and whether, in fact, much has changed. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Story of Women and Power: In this sweeping series, historian Amanda Vickery (The Story of Women and Art) tells the saga of British women’s battles in the centuries-old war of the sexes. From a 1649 march for women’s rights, to the Duchess of Queensberry crashing the House of Lords in 1738, to the militant activities of the Edwardian era and beyond, suffragettes endured many challenges in their fight for women’s equality. Read more about it. Add to your WATCHLIST

Tales of Irish Castles: This six part series explores the great stories, legends and characters associated with the most beautiful, notorious and historical castles across Ireland – in Dublin, Trim, Blarney, Limerick, Carrickfergus, Kilkenny, Birr and more. Hosted by Simon Delaney, the series takes the audience on an incredible journey throughout the island of Ireland – where more castles were built than in the rest of the British Isles combined. Add to your WATCHLIST

Treasure Houses of Britain: Hosted by Selina Scott, this documentary series offers rare access to five of Britain’s finest stately homes – Burghley House, Chatsworth, Blenheim Palace, Holkham Hall and Boughton House, and marks the first time they were filmed in 3D. These 5 episodes shed light on these well-loved, spectacular buildings, as well as their treasures that tell human stories: from the tapestries the First Duke of Marlborough commissioned to celebrate his triumph at the Battle of Blenheim, to the Italian pietra dura cabinet which the Medici gave to the owners of Burghley – the greatest Elizabethan house in England. Add to your WATCHLIST 

Victoria Wood’s A Nice Cup of Tea: An exploration of Britain’s love affair with tea. From the back streets of Kolkata to the mega city of Shanghai, Victoria reveals how the cozy “cuppa” united east and west, triggered wars, and helped win them. Meeting fascinating people-and grumpy elephants-along the way, she asks how this little leaf became such an important part of British life. Add to your WATCHLIST

Victorian House of Arts & Crafts: In this illuminating living history series, a group of 21st-century crafters move into a commune in the Welsh hills that recreates life during the late 1800s Arts & Crafts movement. Over their month-long stay, they renovate four rooms in the house using original Victorian tools and techniques and no present-day technology. Add to your WATCHLIST

Vintage Roads: Great and Small: Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison, stars of “All Creatures Great & Small,” host this journey into the golden age of motoring. Getting behind the wheels of a classic car, they set out on a series of road trips along beautiful vintage roads to experience the thrills of the era when people first fell in love with the motor car and when the open road was a gateway to adventure and exploration. Add to your WATCHLIST

Vintage Roads Great & Small (Season 2): Presented by Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison (All Creatures Great and Small), this series is a light-hearted and inspiring celebration of early motor car travel and explores the history and heritage found along Britain’s vintage highways. This series delves into the period when motor cars first appeared on the scene, and in between the two World Wars when car ownership rose from a few hundred to two million, allowing drivers the freedom to explore the remotest corners of Britain for the first time. The series illustrates how the car has transformed facets of everyday life across the British Isles. Add to your WATCHLIST 

Wainwright Walks: Expert walker Julia Bradbury explores four favorite walks in England’s Lake District region of famed author, Alfred Wainwright. Featuring stunning aerial footage, each episode centers on iconic locations in Wainwright’s best-selling series of walking books – which he wrote, illustrated and published himself. Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells became known as the perfect city escape guide, which is still highly popular today. Add to your WATCHLIST

The Yorkshire Vet (Series 1 – 9): Get a glimpse of the true story behind “All Creatures Great and Small,” the classic BBC TV series by British veterinary surgeon and author Alf Wight, known worldwide as James Herriot. This documentary series profiles the dedicated team of staff at Skeldale Veterinary Centre, Wight’s original practice in Thirsk, North Yorkshire founded in 1940. With exclusive access to Julian Norton, The Yorkshire Vet, as well as his partner and Alf’s former trainee, Peter Wright and their staff, viewers get to follow the day-to-day comings and goings and meet their clientele – both two-legged and four-legged! This center may have moved from the original premises to a purpose-built facility, but the heart and soul of this historic veterinary practice are very much alive and beating. Add to your WATCHLIST 

The Yorkshire Vet Countryside Specials: Get a glimpse of the true story behind “All Creatures Great and Small,” the classic BBC TV series by British veterinary surgeon and author Alf Wight, known worldwide as James Herriot. This documentary series profiles the dedicated team of staff at Skeldale Veterinary Centre, Wight’s original practice in Thirsk, North Yorkshire founded in 1940.  With exclusive access to Julian Norton, The Yorkshire Vet, as well as his partner and Alf’s former trainee, Peter Wright and their staff, viewers get to follow the day-to-day comings and goings and meet their clientele – both two-legged and four-legged! This center may have moved from the original premises to a purpose-built facility, but the heart and soul of this historic veterinary practice are very much alive and beating. 4 episodes. Add to your WATCHLIST