5 Netflix movies and shows to watch like Downton Abbey

Bridgerton

The Bridgerton novels written by Julia Quinn have a huge fanbase, so when it was announced that these books would be made into a series, her fans were ecstatic. Readers of Regency-era novels have longed for a screen version of the genre, and Chris Van Dusen and Shonda Rhimes have delivered.

Bridgerton, set in the Regency period of London, depicts the era with flair and with an unexpected but delightful twist. The series integrated diversity among the characters making the story so much more interesting. The creators have also used modern songs set to Regency instruments making it relative but still holding to the period.

The Bridgerton family is the focus of the series, but we meet so many other interesting families along the way. The first season’s focus was Daphne, the eldest Bridgerton daughter, and her search for a husband. The next three seasons will most likely follow the story of Anthony, Benedict and Colin, the eldest brothers of the eight children.

The fashions and extravagance of “the season” are enough to draw you in, but the story and the characters will keep you longing for more.

A Little Chaos

This film is perfection. A Little Chaos is a period drama directed by the late Alan Rickman, who also stars as King Louis XIV. The king has commissioned the design and construction of the Gardens of Versailles, and the most unlikely person is brought in to help with this project, a woman.

Kate Winslet plays Sabine de Barra, a commoner who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, who is hired to help with the King’s new garden. She works alongside Andre Le Notre (Matthias Schoenaerts), who is the head landscape architect for the project. And romance ensues.

This is one of those films that stays with you after viewing. It is such a fun and interesting look into life in France during the reign of King Louis XIV (1643-1715), the longest-reigning monarch in history.