A Romance Reader’s Guide to Historical TV
Becky and Leah are joined by author Lainey Davis for a lively conversation about Historical TV, breaking down what we love, what’s working in today’s period dramas, and the romance moments we wish these shows would fully commit to.
The Big Picture: Historical Romance TV
These shows all live under the “historical” umbrella—but they are not doing the same job. Some are here to sweep us off our feet. Some are here to quietly devastate us. Some are here to remind us that society is the real villain. So let’s break it down.
Shows:
- Bridgerton
The juggernaut. High-heat, trope-forward, unapologetically romance-first. Still setting the standard (and causing discourse). - Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Emotional devastation disguised as a limited series. Deeply beloved by romance readers for the feelings. - Outlander
The OG “romance readers can handle pain” show. Long-running, loyal fandom, still very much in the mix. - The Gilded Age
Society politics first, romance simmering underneath. Big with readers who love slow burn, class tension, and yearning glances. - The Buccaneers
Messy. Modern. Horny in a corset. Often compared directly to Bridgerton and very romance-reader coded. - Downton Abbey
Not new, but eternally referenced. A masterclass in restrained longing, ensemble storytelling, and “say it with your eyes.” - Sanditon
Beloved by historical romance readers for its eventual commitment to HEAs after early chaos.
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