No secret is made of my adoration of period dramas. Whether it be on my blog or here, on Silver Petticoat, fortunately, I have ample outlets to share said love. With the premieres of the sublime and chilling new period dramas, War & Peace and And Then There Were None (respectively), and the recent departure of fan favorite Downton Abbey, there’s been a dark, gaping hole left in the world of small screen period dramas. Or at least I think so.

RELATED | 35 Period Dramas to Watch on Amazon Prime – Mini-Series and TV Shows Edition (2016)

Each year, one of the ways I manage to waste time is by reading up on some of the in production or teased new period film productions. Needless to say, in spite of the time wasted, I consider it all for a very good cause. (Hopefully, the photos below will attest as to why. To me, they’re a visualized confirmation that is enough said.)

Today, I thought we’d take a peek at some of the upcoming small screen period dramas that are either a) coming to the US in the near future or b) simply of interest (and therefore I hope they’ll make it here). One of them I’ve seen, but couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to mention since it made its US release last week. The other small screen period dramas are among series I’m most excited about in the 2016 and 2017 TV seasons.

10 Upcoming Small Screen Period Dramas

1. Doctor Thorne

Since I made mention of Julian Fellowes Downton Abbey, I thought I’d give this little 3-part miniseries (based on the Anthony Trollope novel) a mention. Despite its overuse of flowers, it’s a delightful period piece that is now streaming on Amazon Prime. You know now what you should do with your long weekend.

RELATED | Doctor Thorne Review

2. Jericho

Jericho sounds really interesting. It’s different from most British series that I’m well versed in, but a friend recently brought it to my attention. It stars Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) and seems a promising albeit underrated series. On its official site, its tagline reads as follows, “Yesterday wilderness. Tomorrow civilisation.” ITV 1870s period drama, old west style. Sounds unique to me!

3. The Durrells

This Keeley Hawes led familial series makes me think of the short-lived Our Zoo. It sounds like fun, plus the fact that it’s based on a true story (about a family who make a drastic move to a Greek island) is always an attention-grabber. Right now, no definite US air date is settled. Though as I read about this one, searching for clues of its official US air date, this one does have its share of controversy given the way it changed up the relationship between two characters.

4. The Crown

Netflix nabbed the rights to this one starring Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth and Matt Smith as her husband. Set during her early reign, this one already has much excitement surrounding it. It’s currently set to premiere November 2016 on Netflix and should definitely be on the radar for those who love their small screen period dramas!

5. The Frankenstein Chronicles

A&E have acquired the rights to this period drama, though I couldn’t seem to find an air date for it. With Anna Maxwell-Martin and Sean Bean in the leads, its star power might be enough to tempt me. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be something I’d go in for. Can we also appreciate Anna’s hat?

6. Timeless

NBC (and nearly every other network station) is joining in on the small screen period dramas craze with this time travel show. Abigail Spencer and Matt Lanter star in a series about an “unlikely trio” who prevent crimes in pursuit of preserving the history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4glJzvUunOE

7. Time After Time

ABC is set to roll about this period drama about “The adventures of young H.G. Wells and his time machine.” This one might be stretching it a bit since it doesn’t actually keep to its 1800s timeline, but it looks cool. Kevin Williamson (The Vamipire Dairies) is the executive producer/writer, and Freddie Stroma and Josh Bowman (Revenge) star.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN4C4Ar5BLo

8. Victoria

Victoria airs in the UK later this year but won’t show for US viewers until early 2017. Still with Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) as the titular character, Tom Hughes as her husband and Rufus Sewall as her trusted confidant, I’m game for a wait. This 8-part miniseries will, of course, follow Queen Victoria’s reign from her ascension to the throne at age 18 through her marriage to Prince Albert. It’s slated for the Downton Abbey time slot on Masterpiece Theatre.

9. Still Star-Crossed

ABC is jumping into the small screen period dramas game with this series (set to debut early 2017). It’s described as a kind of sequel to Romeo and Juliet and features a relative unknown trio of performers in the lead roles. It also has ABC’s favorite TV creator, Shonda Rhimes star power backing it, and is based on the novel by Melinda Taub.

10. The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age doesn’t have a US air date nor any real information attached to it, but since its being penned by Julian Fellowes, I couldn’t resist adding it. NBC has the US rights to this series that will visit the 1800s New York society scene, and may even introduce us to some of our beloved Downton Abbey characters in their younger years.

Also working their way across the pond at some point will be second seasons of Home Fires, Indian Summers, and Poldark. In short, we have plenty of angst-driven, visually beautiful and emotional small screen period dramas heading our way.

What upcoming small screen period dramas are you most anticipating? Have you seen any of these or are you planning to? Comment down below with your thoughts.

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Read through our other lists, 20 Underrated and Obscure Period Dramas, Nine Underrated Romantic Moments in Period Dramas or Eight of the Most Romantic Heroes from Literature and Period Dramas.

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