Two years have passed since we last enjoyed a brand-new season of The Crown. Season 5, the first since the real-life monarch passed away in September, of the historical drama, which chronicles Queen Elizabeth II’s life, debuted on Netflix on Wednesday. The show is recognised for its intimate character studies, gorgeous sets, and cinematography.
If you’re like us, you’ve already binged through the entire series and are itching for more dramas about royal rivalries, you’ve come to the right place. Some more shows might help, including more historical dramas and docuseries.
Reign
During the Tudor period, several women were executed, including two Queens who were well-known wives: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, who were Henry VIII’s second and fifth wives, respectively. Elizabeth I, the only child of Anne Boleyn, performs another decapitation; this time, it is Mary, Queen of Scots, a distant relative.
The drama series’ heroine is Mary. As she rises to the top, Mary faces personal and political challenges as she tries to combine her passions with the kingdom’s needs. Despite not being based on actual events, the drama features a lot of royal intrigue and grandeur. It’s perfect for “The Crown” viewers looking for a more dramatic historical programme.
Bridgerton
Watch Bridgerton for another scandal-filled British historical drama, this time of the fictional sort. Shonda Rhimes is the executive producer of the smash-hit adaptation of Julia Quinn’s best-selling romance novel series. It is essentially a Regency-era Gossip Girl, replete with a gossip columnist who gathers all the juicy news from high society in London for her anonymous column.
While Season 2 focused on Daphne Bridgerton’s brother, Anthony, as he resists his emotions for Kate Sharma, Season 1 centres on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) as she makes her social debut and falls in love with a reluctant duke. It may be more of a historical fantasy than The Crown, but both shows are about affluent British individuals who believe they are constantly under the spotlight. In addition, Bridgerton adds a touch of royal intrigue with Golda Rosheuvel’s portrayal of Queen Charlotte.
The King’s Speech
Visit this award-winning movie, which not only handed Colin Firth his first Oscar but also won Best Picture in 2010, if you’re interested in learning more about Elizabeth’s father, King George VI. The first season of The Crown showed how King George VI dealt with his stammer, and the film follows him as he attempts to do so. As they grapple with the king’s succession to the throne following his brother’s unexpected resignation, George and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue, develop a close relationship. According to the BBC, Queen Elizabeth even saw the movie after it came out and gave it her approval.
The Royal House of Windsor
If you find theatrical versions tedious, we advise that you watch this documentary. From King Edward VIII’s abdication to Princess Diana’s tragic and untimely death, it charts a decade of royalty. This docuseries illustrates how Prince Philip laid the foundation for the Royal Family’s increased recognition among Westerners, much to The Crown, which focuses on his exuberant and unconventional personality. You’ll get a plateful of ferocious drama, political upheaval, and disclosures that have long bothered the Royals.
