#41: Sound of the Desert (2014)
Photo: DramaFever
Hulu Synopsis: Based on the hit romance novel, Sound of the Desert traces the fate of Xin Yue (Cecilia Liu), a young orphan who was adopted by the nomadic Xiongnu…more tribe. When political turmoil forces Xin Yue to flee, she finds herself in the company of two very different, but alluring men: Mo Xun (Hu Ge), a kind soul, and Wei Wu Ji (Eddie Peng), a cold general. As Xin Yue travels throughout a vast desert of possibilities, she must ask herself who she loves most in this delicate dance of love.
Why You Should Check it Out: With several good reviews online, I’m hoping this is as good as the synopsis sounds!
#42: South Riding (2011)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: In the long aftermath of the First World War, 30-year-old Sarah Burton comes home from London to Yorkshire to take up the headmistress-ship of a…more struggling Yorkshire high school for girls. But the homecoming is more complicated than she thinks.
Why You Should Check it Out: While I haven’t seen this one yet, I plan to just because of the wonderful British cast: Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House), David Morrissey (Sense and Sensibility), Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey), Douglas Henshall (Primeval), and Peter Firth (MI-5).
#43: The Spies of Warsaw (2013)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: David Tennant and Janet Montgomery star in this adaptation of Alan Furst’s celebrated spy novel set in Poland, Paris and Berlin in the years leading…more up to the Second World War.
Why You Should Check it Out: A spy mini-series starring David Tennant. I don’t think we need any other reason (at least I don’t) to watch this one…
#44: Tess of the D’Urbervilles (2008)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D’Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting…more the manipulative Alec proves to be her downfall but a different man, Angel Clare, may be her salvation.
Why You Should Check it Out: While not my personal favorite adaptation of the classic novel (that goes to the 1998 version), this BBC production is still a period drama treat. Look for Eddie Redmayne as Angel Clare!
#45: The Time in Between (2013)
Photo: DramaFever
Hulu Synopsis: Based on the New York Times Bestseller “The Time In Between” by María Dueñas, a young seamstress’s life takes an unexpected turn when she finds…more herself pregnant, alone, and penniless during the Spanish Civil War. As Spain’s alliance with Nazi Germany deepens, she takes on a new identity and becomes an in-demand haute couture stylist for the wives of Nazi officials. But soon she becomes swept up in political intrigue when she begins helping the British Secret Service with coded messages in the seams of her dresses.
Why You Should Check it Out: I’ve heard only good things about this period drama import. The premise alone is compelling!
#46: The Titanic (1996)
Photo: Sonar Entertainment
Hulu Synopsis: This made-for-TV movie is the tale of the famous Titanic passenger liner that claimed to be unsinkable.
Why You Should Check it Out: While clearly not as good as James Cameron’s Titanic, it still is an engaging few hours of your time (especially if you’re like me and want to watch everything about the Titanic…).
#47: Titanic: The Miniseries (2012)
Photo: ITV/ eOne Entertainment Distribution
Hulu Synopsis: “Titanic” is an extraordinary re-telling of the doomed voyage that cleverly weaves action, mystery and romance over four hours and two nights of…more programming. Shot in Budapest, Hungary, it features both fictional and historical characters, ranging from steerage passengers and crew to upper class guests and staff, who all come together in an explosive and unforgettable finale. Each hour follows similar events from different points of view, culminating in a cliff-hanger, as the ship begins to founder, and building to an explosive conclusion in the final hour that draws together all the stories. Viewers will be taken on a heart-wrenching journey through Titanic’s last moments, as it’s revealed who among the characters they’ve come to know so well will survive, and who will not.
Why You Should Check it Out: And speaking of Titanic, there is another miniseries available on Hulu about the historical event, and it’s from the man who brought us, Downton Abbey! Even though the non-linear experiment causes this period drama to suffer slightly in execution, this miniseries is definitely still worth your time.
#48: Upstairs Downstairs (2010)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: Revival of the iconic ’70s series set in a London townhouse in the late 1930s. When Rose returns to Eaton Place as housekeeper she soon finds that in…more both ‘upstairs’ and ‘downstairs’ worlds lie a labyrinth of secrets, lies and scandal.
Why You Should Check it Out: While not as good or addictive as Downton Abbey, the similar themes, and wonderful cast still make this one to watch!
#49: Wives and Daughters (1999)
Photo: BBC Worldwide
Hulu Synopsis: Focusing on the fortunes of three families – the Gibsons, the Hamleys and the Cumnors – in the English village of Hollingford, Wives and Daughters is…more at once a poignant coming of age story, a lively romance and, not least, a witty comedy of manners.
Why You Should Check it Out: I can’t say enough good things about Wives and Daughters. I love the romance, the acting (Michael Gambon is out of the world good in this one), the story, the high production values, etc.
#50: The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1994)
Photo: CBS
Hulu Synopsis: The adventures of the archeological treasure hunter in his youth.
Why You Should Check it Out: I chose this one for nostalgic reasons. Anyone else watch this when they were young?
What period dramas do you plan on checking out on Hulu? Any recommendations of your own? Sound off below…
For more period drama recommendations on Hulu check out kindred spirit site, Willow and Thatch!
RELATED:
Visit our Period Drama Review Archives to find more reviews.
ARE YOU A ROMANCE FAN? FOLLOW THE SILVER PETTICOAT REVIEW:
Our romance-themed entertainment site is on a mission to help you find the best period dramas, romance movies, TV shows, and books. Other topics include Jane Austen, Classic Hollywood, TV Couples, Fairy Tales, Romantic Living, Romanticism, and more. We’re damsels not in distress fighting for the all-new optimistic Romantic Revolution. Join us and subscribe. For more information, see our About, Old-Fashioned Romance 101, Modern Romanticism 101, and Romantic Living 101.
This is a great selection of well known and lesser known movies. I loved Fairy Tale Theatre when I was younger. I feel like I’d still enjoy it now. Had a huge crush on Sean Patrick Flannery of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles when that show first came out. Even when I sometimes found the episodes a bit dull, I watched them for him. This version of Sense and Sensibility is one of my favourite Austen films. I loved Elinor in this. I’ve heard so much about this version of Oliver Twist. I need to see it sometime. I’d add The Scarlet Pimpernel movies to this list. The one with Leslie Howard and the one with Jane Seymour.
I had a huge crush on Sean Patrick Flannery too! And this version of S&S really is great. I completely agree with you about Elinor.
I didn’t include Leslie Howard’s Pimpernel movie because this list only focused on TV (TV movies, miniseries, and TV shows), but is the Jane Seymour version on Hulu? I don’t see it! I’ve been meaning to watch that one.
Oops. I forgot about the TV angle. I don’t have Hulu, so not sure about that Pimpernel movie being there. It’s really good. A great period mini series is Around The World In 80 Days starring Pierce Brosnan. I loved it when it first aired years ago.
I was unable to find most of these on Hulu.
Many of these are still on hulu. But some have also left. New deals change what’s on. This was put up last year so much has changed. And with the new deal BBC made with Amazon, unfortunately losing some of these great period dramas were inevitable!
what deal did they make with amazon ?
Different streaming services make deals with different companies/networks. For a while, many British shows were available on Amazon Prime. There are less so now because of Britbox, but a lot of period dramas are still there.
I totally recommend “The Time in Between”. I read the book when it first came out in 2009 and was pleasantly surprised by this adaptation: it’s even better than the book! The story is a mix of romance, historical (a true one, since the author is a historian) and espionage.
If you speak Spanish, try and watch the original version. There are many foreign characters (the story is set between Spain and Morocco, but the characters are Spanish, Moroccan, Portuguese, German, English…), so the conversations, the accents and the subtle nuances of dialogue are somewhat lost in the English dubbing.
If you’re not convinced yet, the costumes should be inducement enough: the female protagonist is a seamstress, and she makes stunning clothes, a real treat for any period drama lover!
Hulu sucks.
you guys can’t count that’s 10 not 50. your NEXT button goes to a different list.
You’re clicking on the Next button for next article. But if you click on page 2, then it will take you to more of the list. There are 50 choices.