12 Best Shows Like The Gilded Age to Watch Next (2026)
Explore 12 shows like The Gilded Age, from court intrigue and family power plays to romance, comedy, and character-driven drama for your next watch.
If you’re looking for shows like The Gilded Age, this list leans into period drama, high society, family power struggles, and stories where personal choices collide with strict social rules. Start with The Serpent Queen for a court-centered rise to power, then try The Romanoffs if you like an anthology built around identity and legacy. Irma Vep and The Lake bring a more modern mix of drama and comedy, while Everything I Know About Love and Heartbreak High focus on relationships, friendship, and the messiness of growing up. Whether you want historical intrigue or character-driven stories with romance and tension, these picks give you plenty to explore.
-
01
The Serpent Queen
drama
Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she’s unable to concieve. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.
Why watch: If you enjoy historical power struggles and characters trying to survive a rigid social order, this is a strong fit. Its court setting and long-rule premise should appeal to viewers who want ambitious drama with political tension.
Directed by Justin Haythe, Stacie Passon, Ingrid Jungermann, Kate Dennis, Melanie MayronCast Samantha Morton, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Ruby Bentall, Nicholas BurnsStarzMore details on IMDb → -
02
The Romanoffs
drama
An anthology series centered around people who believe themselves to be the modern-day descendants of the Romanov family.
Why watch: If you like stories about identity, heritage, and modern family mythmaking, this anthology may be a good match. It’s best for viewers who want a drama with an unusual premise rather than a traditional single storyline.
Directed by Matthew WeinerCast Diane Lane, JJ Feild, Aaron Eckhart, Louise Bourgoin, John SlatteryAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
03
Irma Vep
comedy · drama
Mira is an American movie star disillusioned by her career and a recent breakup, who comes to France to star as “Irma Vep” in a remake of the French silent film classic, “Les Vampires.” Set against the backdrop of a lurid crime thriller, Mira struggles as the distinctions between herself and the character she plays begin to blur and merge.
Why watch: If you’re open to a more offbeat blend of comedy and drama, this one may stand out. The premise of an actor whose role starts to blur with real life makes it a good choice for viewers who like meta storytelling.
Directed by Olivier AssayasCast Alicia Vikander, Vincent Macaigne, Nora Hamzawi, Antoine Reinartz, Devon RossMaxMore details on IMDb → -
04
Lady Love
drama
A young woman from a small town in Poland, who once hoped to live as a nun, flees to West Germany and ends up in the sex industry. She was modest by nature and dreamed of a different life, but circumstances led her to a path she never anticipated.
Why watch: If you prefer grounded drama about a woman forced into a difficult life path, this title may suit you. Its premise suggests a serious, character-focused story with social pressures at the center.
Directed by Bartosz KonopkaCast Anna Szymanczyk, Clemens Schick, Lise Risom Olsen, Adam Woronowicz, Anna KrotoskaMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
The Lake
comedy · drama
After returning from abroad after a break-up with his long-term partner, Justin plans to connect with his teenage daughter he gave up for adoption. His plans to make new memories with his daughter at the family cottage go awry when he discovers his parents left it to his picture-perfect step-sister, Maisy-May.
Why watch: If you want a family-focused dramedy with awkward emotions and fractured relationships, this is worth a look. The cottage setting and complicated parent-child setup should appeal to viewers who like personal conflict with a lighter edge.
Directed by Paul Fox, Jordan Canning, Melanie Orr, R.T. ThorneCast Jordan Gavaris, Julia Stiles, Madison Shamoun, Declan Whaley, Terry ChenAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
06
Their Stories
drama
Four women from different social classes but with a shared past have to live under the same roof.
Why watch: If you enjoy ensemble dramas about people from different backgrounds sharing the same space, this one fits that pattern well. It may appeal if you like social tension and character dynamics more than fast plot turns.
Directed by Pablo Uranga, Luciana Baptista, Maria FarkasCast Letícia Spiller, Cris Vianna, Bia Arantes, Igor Pedroso, Ema AraújoHuluMore details on IMDb → -
07
Rookie Cops
drama · romance
Wi Seung Hyun joins the Korean national Police University to follow in his father's footsteps but runs into hurdles as he gets involved with a woman named Go Eun Gang.
Why watch: If you want romance mixed with ambition and a coming-of-age setup, this is a good option. The police university backdrop gives it a different angle for viewers who like drama with a procedural or campus feel.
Directed by Kim Byung-sooCast Kang Daniel, Chae Soo-bin, Lee Sin-young, Park Yoo-na, Park Sung-joonHuluMore details on IMDb → -
08
Somewhere Boy
Won 1 BAFTA TV Award 4 nominations
drama
Danny was a baby when his mother was killed in a car crash. Overcome with grief, his father locked him away in a house, telling him the outside world is full of monsters that will spirit him away like his mother.
Why watch: If you like emotionally heavy dramas built around isolation and family damage, this may be the right pick. It sounds especially suited to viewers who want something intimate, serious, and psychologically focused.
Directed by Alexandra Brodski, Alex WincklerCast Lewis Gribben, Samuel Bottomley, Rory Keenan, Lisa McGrillis, Johann MyersHuluMore details on IMDb → -
09
Everything I Know About Love
comedy · drama · romance
In a 2012 London house-share, childhood best friends Maggie and Birdy — now in their 20s — experience bad dates, heartaches and humiliation. With flashbacks to suburban adolescence in the early noughties, the series begs the question: can platonic love survive romantic love as we grow up?
Why watch: If friendship stories matter as much to you as romance, this one should land well. Its house-share setting and mix of comedy, drama, and romance make it a good choice for viewers who like relatable coming-of-age stories.
Directed by China Moo-Young, Julia FordCast Emma Appleton, Bel Powley, Aliyah Odoffin, Marli Siu, Jill HalfpennyPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
10
Fellow Travelers
3 Emmy nominations Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2024)
drama · romance
A chronicle of a decades-long volatile romance between two men — from their first meeting during the height of the 1950s Lavender Scare to the AIDS crises of the 1980s.
Why watch: If you want a romance with political and historical weight, this is the standout on the list. It’s especially appealing for viewers who like long-term relationships shaped by major social change.
Directed by Uta Briesewitz, Destiny Ekaragha, James Kent, Daniel MinahanCast Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, Jelani Alladin, Linus Roache, Noah J. RickettsParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Heartbreak High
comedy · drama · romance
A fresh look at Hartley High over 20 years on. With her new friends - outsiders Quinni and Darren - Amerie must repair her reputation, while navigating love, sex, and heartbreak.
Why watch: If you enjoy teen drama with humor, romance, and a strong friendship angle, this is a natural pick. The mix of outsiders, reputation drama, and heartbreak should appeal to viewers who like messy but relatable coming-of-age stories.
Directed by Adam Murfet, Jessie Oldfield, Gracie Otto, Neil Sharma, Nina BuxtonCast Ayesha Madon, James Majoos, Chloe Hayden, Asher Yasbincek, Will McDonaldNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
12
Deceitful Love
drama · romance
It follows a relationship full of passion, with shadows and secrets, that challenges social conventions, family balances, and the role of motherhood in Mediterranean culture.
Why watch: If you want a romance-drama shaped by family pressure and social expectations, this title fits that lane. It may appeal to viewers who like emotionally charged stories with secrets and conventional roles under strain.
Directed by Pappi CorsicatoCast Giacomo Gianniotti, Monica Guerritore, Fabrizia Sacchi, Gabriele Stella, Emanuel CaserioNetflixMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This page brings together dramas, romances, and a few lighter options for anyone who wants the same mix of elegance, conflict, and personal ambition that made The Gilded Age appealing. You can use it to find your next binge, or just compare which titles fit your mood best. Bookmark it and come back when you want another curated round of period-inspired and character-led picks. The list is updated regularly, so it’s worth revisiting as your watchlist grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these shows similar to The Gilded Age?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.