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The Gilded Age, an American historical drama by Julian Fellowes, stars Carrie Coon, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, and others. The show is set in 1880s New York City, during a time of significant societal upheaval.
In the series, a young woman named Marian Brook moves from rural Pennsylvania to New York City after her father’s death. She finds herself amid the rigid social scene of New York City, where there are conflicts between the new money Russell family and the old money van Rhijn-Brook family.
Set near Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, the show explores themes of class, acceptance, and the dynamics surrounding the African-American upper class and the domestic workers.
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The show has been well-received and is appreciated for its rich cinematography, lush outfits, and discussion on class division. Viewers who enjoy period dramas can check the list below for some similarly themed shows.
Downton Abbey, The Buccaneers, and other shows like The Gilded Age
1) Downton Abbey (Amazon Prime Video)
Created by Julian Fellowes, who also created The Gilded Age, the British historical drama Downton Abbey is set in a fictional Yorkshire estate and, over the course of six seasons, covers 1912 to 1926. The series follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants.
Downton Abbey portrays many important events from this period and their impact on the Crawleys. The show has won numerous awards and is praised by critics and fans alike. Like The Gilded Age, the show has a similar tone and structure as it explores the class divide and high society in a historical period.
2) Bridgerton (Netflix)
Based on Julia Quinn’s books and co-produced by Shonda Rhimes, Bridgerton is a popular historical romance drama set in the early 1800s. The show is set in an alternate universe where George III has established racial equality.
Bridgerton focuses on the highly competitive social circles of the time, where eligible bachelors from the nobility are introduced into society. Even though its plot is different from The Gilded Age, the two shows share similarities, such as being set in a historical period, exploring upper class society, and having a diverse cast.
3) The Buccaneers (Apple TV+)
Based on an unfinished novel by Edith Wharton, The Buccaneers is a historical drama set in the 1870s. It follows five ambitious American sisters who come from new money and struggle to fit in New York City. Therefore, they decide to move to London to secure marriage within British high society.
However, a rude reality awaits them as their extroverted nature is frowned upon by the reserved English. They have to struggle through cultural clashes and strict social codes. Similar to The Gilded Age, the series is set in the same time period and focuses on the new money class that was emerging.
4) The House of Eliott (Amazon Prime Video)
Starring Stella Gonet and Louise Lombard as Beatrice and Evangeline Eliott respectively, The House of Eliott is a British historical series that revolves around the two Eliott sisters. Set in 1920s London, the show follows their efforts to establish a dressmaking business.
The two have to go through various struggles, like fewer customers and competition, to build their own haute couture fashion house. The show focuses on strong and independent characters and is set in a historical age like The Gilded Age. If one enjoyed the 19th century costumes in The Gilded Age, then one should watch this one.
5) North and South (Amazon Prime Video)
Based on a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South is a British historical drama set during the mid-19th century. It follows the life of Margaret Hale, who is from Southern England. After her father leaves the clergy, she moves to the North, where she struggles to adjust to the industrial town’s customs.
The story also features the Thorntons, a cotton mill owner family, who look down upon their social inferiors. Problems arise when Margaret rallies for the cause of the mill workers while being attracted to John Thornton. The story examines issues of class and a young woman’s introduction to a new society like The Gilded Age.
6) The Forsyte Saga (Amazon Prime Video)
Based on John Galsworthy’s series of novels, The Forsyte Saga is a British period drama set from 1870 to 1920s. Starring Rupert Graves, Damian Lewis, and others, it follows three generations of an upper-middle-class family that comes from new money.
The series mainly revolves around Soames Forsyte and his rebel cousin, Julyon. Like The Gilded Age, the show explores the families coming from new money and their adjustment amidst high society. Both shows have schemes, gossip, and affairs. The Forsyte Saga also comments on family dynamics in a changing age and the effects of materialism.
7) Lillie (Amazon Prime Video)
Starring Francesca Annis in the titular role, Lillie is a British historical drama that revolves around the life of Lillie Langtry, a real-life British socialite and actress who did not let a soulless marriage deter her from rising the ranks of British society. Famed for her looks and admirers like Oscar Wilde, the headstrong woman dealt with scandals, eventually becoming a popular figure of her time.
The show is set in the 19th century like The Gilded Age, and even though its plot is different, the show is an interesting watch for viewers who like resolute female characters that break the barriers of their time.
Viewers who enjoyed watching The Gilded Age can go through this list and choose a period show of their liking.
