15 Best Shows Like The Tudors And Reign Update 04/2024

Shows Like The Tudors And Reign

CW’s Reign fans and those who enjoy historical dramas about royalty should see what else is out there that is similar or related.

Period drama “Reign” on the CW ran from 2013 to 2017. It was semi-biographical. The series, which is based on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, is set primarily in France but moves to Scotland and England as Mary gets older and Elizabeth I becomes a threat to her rule. Despite its historical roots, the story deviates from reality and even incorporates elements of fantasy and the supernatural.

Some viewers favored the show’s randomness, while others despised it as unrealistic. Even so, the plot of the show closely follows the events of Mary’s life. Season 3 of the show was supposed to wrap up production when it was abruptly cancelled a week before it did. It was a hasty conclusion, but it did provide some closure. Many great female-led period dramas have been left unfinished for some of the show’s fans.

Even among its devoted followers, Reign is still a hit, and it’s clear that period dramas, particularly those with female leads, are only growing in popularity. Shows like Reign, which promote gender equality and female leadership, have never been more important for female empowerment. Although it’s unclear whether this was done intentionally, the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth in later seasons makes a statement about the way women are frequently pitted against one another in a world run by men Reign’s themes, messages, and dramatic elements will ring true in these five additional historical dramas.

1. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

The story of Elizabeth Bennett and her family is told in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel,Pride & Prejudice. She has a mother who wants the best marriages for her, but Elizabeth wants to make her own path in life.

When Elizabeth first meets Mr. Darcy, she discovers how intertwined their fates are. Jane, Elizabeth’s oldest and most sensible sister, is a potential bride for his friend Mr. Bingley, who is courting her. Elizabeth quickly learns that she dislikes Mr. Darcy, despite the fact that she has no prior knowledge of him.

2. Farewell, My Queen (2012)

An intimate portrait of Marie Antoinette’s relationships with the people around her in the early days of the French Revolution is presented in this film, which is set in 1789. With her position as one of the queen’s most devoted readers, Agatha-Sidonie Laborde gets an inside look into the monarch’s private life.

This film is a great pick for fans of Mary and her friendship with her ladies in Reign who enjoyed the story. When it comes to the Duchess of Polignac, Marie Antoinette and her reader have a close bond that makes her a fascinating character to study.

3. Jane Eyre (2006/2011)

Jane Eyre (2006-2011)

Charlotte Bront’s classic novel, Jane Eyre, was the inspiration for this period drama set in the moorlands. Thornfield Hall is where Jane comes to work for the mysterious Mr. Rochester after leaving her job as a governess in London.

Thornfield is a mysterious and eerie setting, similar to the castles that Mary lives in during Reign. Even though Janesoon is haunted by the strange characters that roam the halls of Thornfield, Rochester is the most terrifying. Although they’re attracted to one another, Jane knows less and less about him as time passes.

4. Testament Of Youth (2014)

Reign portrays Mary as a woman who has lost everything by the end of the novel.

For the same reasons as Testament of You, this film is also about a woman who has lost everything.

Much to the dismay of her conservative father, Vera Brittain has lofty aspirations for herself. When the war starts and her fiancé and brother are separated, she enrolls in college and begins her career. As she waits in agonizing fear and despair, she decides to become a nurse, hoping against hope that she’ll run into one of them while working in the medical facilities.

5. Atonement (2007)

Atonement (2007)

It’s no secret that Atonement has a distinct look and feel thanks to its creative use of sound and cinematography. Like in Reign, the primary setting is shrouded in secrecy, which causes a young girl to make a terrible mistake.

Her younger sister Briony falsely accuses Robbie Turner of a heinous crime and he is sent off to fight in the war. Cecelia Tallis hesitates to pursue a relationship with the family groundsman, Robbie Turner. Cecelia cuts all ties with Briony as she grows up and comes to terms with what she has done.

6. Mary Queen Of Scots (2018)

As a result, the story of Mary Queen of Scots takes place much later in her life than it did in Reigndoes. While in the series, Mary has just left for France, here she returns to Scotland to claim her throne.

Viewers who want to learn more about Mary’s time in Scotland but don’t have the time to do so in the series will enjoy this film. Even so, as with the series, the film takes some liberties to give it its own personality.

7. Marie Antoinette (2006)

Marie Antoinette (2006)

One more film that looks at a female monarch in an era when society did not expect women to hold positions of power or authority is Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette The Archduchess of Australia, played by Kirsten Dunst, is forced into a marriage with a French aristocrat.

However, the young lady isn’t yet ready to take on the responsibilities of royalty. She is under increasing pressure to give birth to an heir, but she has been unable to do so due to public disapproval. There are reports that describe her as naive and irresponsible, unprepared to take her role seriously or comprehend the gravity of the situation.

8. The Duchess (2008)

Despite the fact that it was panned by critics, Keira Knightley’s period piece was still nominated for an Oscar. Ralph Fiennes plays the Duke of Devonshire (Georgina) in the film.

She quickly learns that he doesn’t care about her and is only interested in her for the sake of having a child with him. Georgiana manages to gain and lose the respect of the aristocracy while she and her husband have openly romantic relationships.

9. Anna Karenina (2012)

Anna Karenina (2012)

Anna Karenina, another film starring Keira Knightley, is based on the epic Russian novel by Leo Tolstoy. Even though the story is made up, the attitudes towards powerful women in the 19th century are reflected in it.

Anna, an aristocrat who is married to Count Vronsky (Jude Law) and has a son with him (Alexei Karenin, played by Jude Law), is banished because of her liaison with the Count (Aaron Taylor-Joy). Oblonsky’s (Matthew Macfadyen) affair, on the other hand, garners sympathy because of how much more well-known it was than hers was.

10. Cursed (2020 – )

Cursed, a Netflix original series based on the Arthurian legend, will premiere in July 2020. Incorporating fantasy, adventure, and historical fiction elements, Nimue (Katherine Langford) is given center stage in this series.

She’s a Fey with the ability to access ancient magic, which she uses to her advantage. She has far more power than she realizes or wants when combined with the Sword of Power.

11. Medici (2016 – 2019)

Reign’s Toby Regbo starred in a popular series called Medici, which starred Richard Madden, Daniel Sharman, and another one of the show’s stars, Daniel Sharman. The show is based on the real-life Medici family, an Italian banking family that rose to prominence in the 15th century.

The series, which aired from 2016 to 2019, followed the rise to power of the Medici family amidst the turmoil of medieval Italy’s social order. The action takes place in France and Scotland just before Mary I takes over as queen.

12. The Tudors (2007- 2010)

The Tudors (2007- 2010)

The Tudors is a period drama for fans of Elizabeth I, who saw her rise to power inReign. Due to Elizabeth being Mary’s cousin, the Tudor family name was adopted by the two of them.

The Emmy-nominated historical drama centers on Henry VIII’s early years in power in England. The series also explores the king’s numerous wives, which were legendary.

13. The Virgin Queen (2005)

In this four-part BBC miniseries, Elizabeth I’s reign as Queen of England is examined in great detail. The story of the queen begins when she is a young and frightened princess, played by Anne-Marie Duff.

Later in the series, we learn about her relationship with Tom Hardy’s Robert Dudley.

Reigndoesn’t have the time to fully explore Elizabeth’s life because Mary is the main character; however, The Virgin Queenis an excellent choice for fans who want to learn more about her story.

14. Outlander (2014-)

The movie Outlander is based on the same-named book series by Diana Gabaldon. It’s one of the most popular period dramas on television right now, having aired five seasons so far and promising a sixth.

An ex-war nurse named Claire has just been reunited with her husband in 1945 when, all of a sudden, she finds herself in 1743. Her heart is torn in two when she meets James Fraser, just like Mary was when she couldn’t decide between Francis and Bash.

15. The Crown (2016-)

Finally, Netflix’s The Crown follows Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. It starts in the 1940s, with her accession to the throne, and goes up to the present day.

Popular Netflix original The Crown explores how the queen’s early years helped shape her future and that of England as a whole.