Last Updated on October 29, 2018
PERIOD DRAMAS ON NETFLIX STREAMING: TUDOR and STUART ERAS
Wondering what period dramas are available to watch online now? Here is a list of Tudor and Stuart era period dramas that are currently available TO STREAM on NETFLIX and Amazon in the United States.
The TITLE links you to the film / movie / television miniseries STREAMING on NETFLIX.
The PHOTO links you to the film / movie / TV miniseries STREAMING on AMAZON.
There are also text links.
Willow and Thatch spoke with NETFLIX Streaming who said that each film is licensed for a specific time period, so in the future some of these titles may become unavailable; similar agreements are in place for Amazon Video / Instant / PRIME. The titles are listed alphabetically.
This list is fairly comprehensive for full episodes of TUDOR and STUART era period films that are currently available to watch online on NETFLIX in the United States – some have been received better than others – but there’s enough here that you should discover something you like, that you can watch right now.
Follow the Amazon links to view trailers.
TUDOR era (1485 – 1603) and the STUART era (1603 to 1714): Includes the Elizabethan, Jacobean, Caroline, (Interregnum) and Restoration periods. Covers the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I (The Virgin Queen), King Henry VII who succeeded in ending the Wars of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York to found the highly successful Tudor house, King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary I. The Stuarts were the first kings of the United Kingdom. King James I of England who began the period was also King James VI of Scotland, thus combining the two thrones for the first time. Also includes the era of King Charles I, King Charles II, King James II, Queen Mary II, King William III, Queen Anne.
“The five sovereigns of the Tudor dynasty are among the most well-known figures in Royal history. During this period, England developed into one of the leading European colonial powers, with men such as Sir Walter Raleigh taking part in the conquest of the New World. Nearer to home, campaigns in Ireland brought the country under strict English control. Culturally and socially, the Tudor period saw many changes. The Tudor court played a prominent part in the cultural Renaissance taking place in Europe, nurturing all-round individuals such as William Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser and Cardinal Wolsey. The Stuart dynasty in England and Scotland was a period which saw a flourishing Court culture but also much upheaval and instability, of plague, fire and war.” – The British Monarchy
Age of Uprising: The Legend of Michael Kohlhaas (2013): Set in 16th century France.
An epic tale of revenge set in feudalistic 16th century France, Age of Uprising: The Legend of Michael Kohlhaas stars Mads Mikkelsen as a devout and prosperous horse merchant who assembles an army to seek justice after being wronged by a callous baron.
Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Denis Lavant, Mélusine Mayance, Delphine Chuillot.
In French with English subtitles.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Borgia (2011): Set around the turn of the 16th century in Italy.
It was the age of Da Vinci and Michelangelo, of enlightened creativity and unparalleled intellectual achievement. But it was also the age of Machiavelli, or rampant lawlessness, incessant war and unspeakable depravity. At the heart of the world order was the Vatican, and at the center of the Vatican was Rodrigo Borgia, a man whose quest for power would propel him to seek the ultimate prize, the Chair of Saint Peter. His name would become synonymous with ruthlessness, and his reign as pope would be remembered as the most infamous chapter in the history of the Catholic Church.
Starring John Doman, Mark Ryder, Stanley Weber, Isolda Dychauk, Marta Gastini, Diarmuid Noyes.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Queen Margot (1994) Set in 1500s France.
France, 1572. During an uneasy break in the wars of religion, Catholic King Charles IX (Jean-Hugues Anglade) concludes a marriage of state between his sister, Margot (Isabelle Adjani), and the Protestant Huguenot King Henry of Navarre (Daniel Auteuil), by ramming forward a reluctant Margots head in lieu of a Oui . But Margots skull-faced Queen Mother (Virna Lisi) is already plotting the attack on the Huguenots that would come to be known as the St. Bartholomew s Day Massacre, and Margot is in the throes of a throbbingly romantic affair with the Protestant La Môle (Vincent Perez).
The late Patrice Chéreau’s high octane adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel begins in fth gear and never lets up, plunging in hip-deep in history and into a dizzying array of characters, with assionate performances and a riveting, horric staging of the Massacre.
In French with English subtitles.
Starring Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Vincent Perez.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Reign (2013): The first season takes place in 1557 in France.
Ever since Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, was a little girl, the English have wanted her country and her crown. As a teenager, Mary is sent to France to wed its next king to save herself and her people. Waiting at the French Court is the gorgeous Prince Francis, his illegitimate half-brother Sebastian, a king on the brink of madness, a scheming queen, and the seer Nostradamus with a devastating prophecy. While royal conspiracies, sexual intrigue and mysterious dark forces lurk around every castle corner, Mary struggles to rule her heart’s conflicting passions and make the right decisions as she prepares to become queen. Politics, passion and duty make for thrilling drama in the powerful series, Reign!
Starring Theda Bara, Edward Roseman, Louis Dean, Emil De Varney, John Webb Dillon, Glen White, Mary Martin.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Restoration (1995): Set during 17th century England, around the court of Charles II.
In order to keep one of his mistresses, Celia, at arm’s length, King Charles II asks the royal physician, Robert Merivel, to marry her under the proviso that they never become intimate. Merivel agrees, only to discover he can’t resist Celia, and soon finds himself out of the king’s favor. Destitute, he devotes himself to helping Londoners suffering from the plague, and in the process falls in love with an equally poor woman, Katherine. Based on the novel of the same name by Rose Tremain.
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Meg Ryan, David Thewlis, Ian McKellen, Sam Neill.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Robinson Crusoe (1997): Set in the 1650s – 80s.
On the run from Britain after killing another man in a duel, Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked on a small island and forced to fend for himself. Crusoe struggles with isolation and memories of his beloved Mary.
He eventually enlists the help of Friday, a native tribesman he has saved from being killed as a sacrifice. As Crusoe and his new companion forge a bond, they must fight for survival against the elements and also Friday’s dangerous tribe.
Starring Pierce Brosnan, William Takaku, Polly Walker.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Salem (2014): Set around 1692 – 93 in Massachusetts
Salem is set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts and explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period in American history.
Starring Jane Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Tazmin Merchant, Ashely Madekwe.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Shakespeare in Love (1998): Set in 1593 London, England.
When Will Shakespeare needs passionate inspiration to break a bad case of writer’s block, a secret romance with the beautiful Lady Viola starts the words flowing like never before! There are just two things he’ll have to learn about his new love: not only is she promised to marry someone else, but she’s successfully impersonating a man in order to play the lead in Will’s latest production! A truly can’t-miss motion picture event with outstanding critical acclaim to match its impressive collection of major awards — everyone will love this funny behind-the-scenes look at the writing of the greatest love story ever told!
Starring Geoffrey Rush, Gwyneth Paltrow, Colin Firth, Judi Dench, Joseph Fiennes.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
The Borgias (2011): Set around the turn of the 16th century in Italy.
The Borgias is a complex, unvarnished portrait of one of history’s most intriguing families. Oscar®-winner Jeremy Irons stars as Rodrigo Borgia, the cunning, manipulative patriarch of the Borgia family who ascends to the highest circles of power within Renaissance-era Italy. The series begins as Rodrigo (Irons), becomes Pope Alexander VI, propelling him, his two Machiavellian sons Cesare and Juan, and his scandalously beautiful daughter, Lucrezia, to become the most powerful and influential family of the Italian Renaissance. Three seasons.
Starring David Oakes, Luke Pasqualino, Ronan Vibert, Jeremy Irons.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
The Crucible (1996): Set around 1692 – 93 in Massachusetts.
A teenage girl’s accusation that she was bewitched wrecks havoc and hysteria in a small town in 17th-century New England; based on the celebrated Arthur Miller play.
A group of teenage girls meet in the woods at midnight for a secret love-conjuring ceremony. While the other girls attempt to cast love spells, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder) wishes for the death of her former lover’s (Daniel Day-Lewis) wife. When their ceremony is witnessed by the town minister, the girls suddenly find themselves accused of witchcraft. Soon the entire village is consumed by cries of witchcraft, and as the hysteria grows, blameless victims are torn from their homes, leading to a devastating climax.
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen, Bruce Davison, Rob Campbell, Jeffrey Jones.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
The Tudors (2007): Set during the reign of Henry VIII (roughly the first half of 1500s) in England.
THE TUDORS presents the rarely dramatized, tumultuous early years of King Henry VIII’s nearly 40-year, omnipotent reign (1509-1547) of England. In addition to his famous female consorts and 20+ year marriage to Catherine of Aragon and the infamous dalliance with Anne Boleyn, the series delves into Henry’s most notable political relationship and the deconstruction of the Roman Catholic Church in England. Four seasons.
Starring James Frain, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Henry Cavill, Nick Dunning.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Vatel (2000): Set in 1671 in France.
Vatel is based on the true story of an ordinary man, a decadent king and the woman caught between them. King Louis XIV rules at Versailles. In the North of France, Prince de Conde has come up with a plan to get his province out of debt: he’ll invite the King to his country chateau for a weekend of spectacle and merriment. If he can get back in the King’s good graces, his region can avoid economic disaster.
Starring Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Timothy Spall, Julian Glover.
Streaming on NETFLIX. Streaming on AMAZON. Available on DVD.
Did Willow and Thatch miss any costume historical dramas in the TUDOR or STUART eras that are on NETFLIX, and are available to stream right now?
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll want to wander over to the Period Films List for the best costume dramas, heritage films, documentaries, period dramas, romances, historical reality series and period inspired movies, all sorted by era and theme. You’ll be particularly interested in the Best Period Dramas: Tudor and Stuart Eras List: A list of the top period films available on DVD and to stream that take place during the Tudor era (1485 – 1603) and the Stuart era (1603 to 1714). Includes the Elizabethan, Jacobean, Caroline, (Interregnum) and Restoration periods. Costume period dramas filmed in England, UK and other countries set in that time period. Television mini-series, PBS, BBC, Masterpiece Theatre productions, historical dramas, heritage films.
You may also be interested in Period Dramas 2016: Tudor and Stuart Eras, featuring the new costume dramas and period films to be released in 2016. Also see Willow and Thatch’s SHOP, for other places to stream additional titles of period films.
For more costume and historical period dramas from all eras, streaming on NETFLIX in 2016, see The List: 100 Period Dramas Streaming on NETFLIX Right Now.
Robin Haggard
May 4, 2017 at 10:08 am (8 years ago)Didn’t know this was here! Keep it going.