Five best BBC period dramas to binge this weekend including 'best show ever made'

A juicy period drama has become all the rage on screen, following the hugely successful ITV drama series, Downton Abbey, and the sizzling Regency romance drama, Bridgerton, on Netflix. The beautifully elaborate costumes, breathtaking scenery, and soulful music make it impossible for viewers not to escape into the often-juicy love affairs unravelling on screen.

As the modern world gets more complicated and stressful, it's no wonder that the world of Jane Austen and Edith Wharton has served as a means of retreat for generations. The genre explores everything from the Georgian, Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian eras and can also involve the more recent war period that rocked the world during the 1900s. Many of the best rollercoaster period dramas can be found for free on BBC iPlayer, so let's take a look at the five best shows you can binge this weekend.

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Another agreed: "Gentleman Jack is by far one of the best offerings on HBO and BBC in a while. It is lush in setting, historically appropriate to the era, and consistently presents glorious attention to detail." This 2019 drama is certainly not one to miss.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Lookout Point/HBO,BBC/Lookout Point/HBO/Aimee Spinks" data-licensor-name="Lookout Point/HBO,BBC/Lookout Point/HBO/Aimee Spinks" /> BBC's adaptation of Jane Austen's infamous novel Pride and Prejudice has been hailed as one of the best ever. It centres on the witty and independent Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) and her turbulent relationship with the proud and wealthy Mr Darcy (Colin Firth). The story follows the Bennet family's efforts to marry off their five daughters, especially after the arrival of the amiable Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.

Fans have praised the classic 1995 series and won several awards, including a BAFTA and a Primetime Emmy Award. Taking to social media, one devoted fan wrote: "The best version and adaptation ever made! Beautifully and perfectly done."

Another agreed: "This is undoubtedly the best Jane Austen adaptation I have seen. Easily one of my top 10 favourite shows of all time, and I give it my highest recommendation." A third chimed in with: "I would give this 10 stars if I could, I can't even express how much I love this show. This is my 20th time viewing the adaptation, and it certainly doesn't disappoint." Viewers looking for a classic rom-com can't go wrong with this one.

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Another gushed: "Poldark is the most spectacular historical series of my time. For the last five years, I have been in complete anticipation of each episode and series. Thank you so much for all the incredible hard work and everyone involved in making this the greatest historical publication of our time." For those looking for a gritty war drama with a dash of romance, look no further.

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A third echoed: "If you have ever liked Jane Austen, this is a completely new take on the author herself. It is beautifully done and the cast is a who's who of talent and a must watch for anyone who enjoys a piece of costume drama."

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Another added: "This is close to perfect. A story about post WW2 Jamaican immigrants to England, about working with the reality to bring dreams to life, and how sometimes it just doesn't work out. The script was wonderful, skipping between Jamaica and London, showing how different these two are. Definitely worth a watch.

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