We’re just a few weeks into 2026, and it’s already shaping up to be a dream year for period drama fans, especially for those who think yearning is a lost art. As someone who has built their entire personality around period dramas, the 2026 lineup feels unusually well-balanced, and I’m here for all of it. Between literary adaptations, Gothic horrors, family sagas, and amateur sleuths getting their time in the sun, this year seems to be offering up a buffet of stories for every taste. If the imminent release of Bridgerton season 4 has been living rent-free in your head, then you already know what I mean: period dramas are so back!
Here are 10 period dramas that are either set to release or return in 2026; or have already been released in 2025, but now will be made available to stream online. If you love this genre even half as much as I do, then at least one of them is bound to become your new obsession when they ultimately release on Netflix, Prime Video, and more; so without any further ado, let’s dive in!
Sense and Sensibility (2026)
This one’s for those who can never get enough of Austen retellings even in a world filled to the brim with it. Adapted from Jane Austen’s 1811 novel, Sense and Sensibility stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood respectively. In 1995, Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet dominated the screens as the Dashwood sisters, and this adaptation promises to refresh the story for modern audiences, while keeping the emotional stakes high.
What I’m excited to see is the dynamic between the sisters and the degree of faithfulness to the original story. Some adaptations veer away from the source material and take creative liberties, and some follow it to a T, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the 2026 adaptation falls on that spectrum. Sense and Sensibility has always been understated and subdued, which is why it usually gets overshadowed by its more flashier siblings like Pride & Prejudice or Emma. Nevertheless, this is also a part of its charm. If you love emotional tension and character-driven storytelling, then this is absolutely your movie.
Sense and Sensibility will be released in theatres on September 11, 2026.
“Wuthering Heights” (2026)
Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights has never been a cozy, comforting romance. It was always about obsession and resentment. I’ll be frank, I’ve read the book only a handful of times as I found it a bit too brooding and bleak. What can I say, I’m more of a Pride & Prejudice girl. But what I am interested to see is how “Wuthering Heights” is going to lean into raw emotion. The storms, the feuds, and watching Catherine and Heathcliff spiral through their passions is something I’m sure will leave us all emotionally winded.
The trailer looks gorgeous with windswept landscapes and cinematography. But—the trailer says the film is inspired by ‘the greatest love story of all time,’ and, well, Brontë’s novel isn’t exactly a romance you want to swoon over. Anyone who expects a happy ending has wandered into the wrong moor. I do want to see how Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embody Catherine and Heathcliff, and the sheer intensity of it all. Fans of Rebecca or Jane Eyre will recognize the same Gothic, slow-burn elements in “Wuthering Heights”, but the moors here give it a distinct, almost wild edge that makes it feel untamed.
“Wuthering Heights” will be released in theatres on February 13, 2026.
The Other Bennet Sister (2026)
It’s the year for Austen and Austen-adjacent stories (what a dream!) After being removed from the plot in Pride and Prejudice adaptations like Bride and Prejudice and Pride and Prejudice (1967), Mary Bennet is finally getting her dues. And it’s about time, if you ask me. The Other Bennet Sister follows the often overlooked middle Bennet sister, Mary, as she leaves her home and family to travel to London, where she has her own adventures (and maybe, love too!)
Because this show is an expansion of a character (and adapted from Janice Hadlow’s book of the same name), rather than an explicit retelling of Pride and Prejudice, the appeal lies in fresh perspective. Mary isn’t someone even Austen purists really hear from often, so The Other Bennet Sister gives a voice to a side of story that is usually ignored, and I’m so ready to have a front row seat to Mary’s personal discovery. If you enjoy literary spin-offs, like The Artful Dodger, then The Other Bennet Sister is bound to be a refreshing watch.
The Other Bennet Sister is expected to debut in spring 2026, and will stream on BritBox.
Dracula (2026)
A lovelorn Dracula casting longing glances across a ballroom wasn't on my 2026 bingo card, but here we are. Adapted from Bram Stoker’s titular character from his 1897 novel, Dracula is an English-language film released in France in July 2025. Lucky for the North American audience, it’ll be theatrically released in February 2026, bringing the suspense and deliciously twisted romance to a whole new slew of people who missed watching it the first time around.
If the thought of creepy, shadowy manors and dark, brooding tales of morally-complicated vampires and lost loves gives you goosebumps, then Dracula might be right up your (snow-covered) alley. The Gothic visuals itself are enough to pull you in, but the emotional stakes (with music by Danny Elfman!!) is the real hook. Dracula seems to be the darkest entry on this list, though tonally, it comes closest to the “Wuthering Heights.” As someone who finds vampires fascinating, I’m excited to see how this adaptation will handle the balance between horror and human drama. And anyways, drama from this decade is fine, but who wouldn’t love to immerse themselves in centuries old drama?
Dracula will be released in theatres on February 6, 2026.
The Forsytes (2025-Present)
If you thought your family had the most drama during Thanksgiving, then The Forsytes will change your mind. This is the kind of period drama that doesn’t just tell a story, it brings you into a family dynasty complete with ambition, desire, and wealth. If you love watching dramas which seem polite on the surface, but with intergenerational conflict and betrayal underneath, then this one’s for you (it’s looking very Gossip Girl-esque—if, you know, Gossip Girl was based in Victorian England.)
While The Forsytes was broadcast in October 2025, it’ll be premiering in the U.S this year, so get ready to watch the complex, flawed, yet deeply human characters split between personal desires and duty (and strong women fighting against restrictions in a society that favors men never gets old.) If you loved Bridgerton for its romance, but wished the social tension was dialed up a notch, then give this show a whirl. I have a feeling it's going to be one of those quietly addictive dramas of 2026, the one you don’t see coming, but watching one episode has you highly anticipating the next one. Plus, I might be secretly excited to take notes on all the scandals.. for personal amusement purposes.
The Forsytes premieres in March 2026 on PBS Masterpiece.
Miss Scarlet (2020-Present)
Detective drama meets Victorian flair—that’s Miss Scarlet for you. After five seasons of mysteries, deductions, and the right hints of danger, season 6 promises more of what Eliza Scarlet does best: outsmarting everyone in a city that isn’t quite ready for a female sleuth. This show stands out from the other entries on this list because Miss Scarlet is an original concept, not an adaptation (and for that reason itself, I think it’s worth recommending to everyone.)
Miss Scarlet always puts its best foot forward; not only does it have consistently satisfying mysteries, but the historical charm and layered characters make it an interesting watch. Another thing I’m excited about is Eliza getting a chance at love. Season 4 saw the Duke—a character she had a will-they-wont-they relationship with—exit the show, opening up that spot for his replacement, Inspector Blake. I’m looking forward to seeing how Eliza and Blake’s relationship evolves over the season (and to be honest, I’m kind of glad the Duke left, he was being a bit of a downer with his constant grumpy attitude.) I wouldn’t be surprised if I binge-watched the first five seasons before jumping into the new one—and you should too!
Miss Scarlet is currently streaming on PBS Masterpiece.
Pride and Prejudice (2026)
Ah, Pride and Prejudice. I don’t know if there’s anything I can say here that hasn’t been said before, but gosh, I’m so excited! I’m personally of the opinion that you can never have enough Pride and Prejudice adaptations, and I already know this series is going to deliver top-tier yearning and the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Pride and Prejudice isn’t just a slow-burn romance. It’s also a sharp critique on society and the pressures for unmarried women (which is still so relevant in today’s times), and a journey of personal growth for the main characters. It’s why this story remains untouchable, no matter how many different kinds of period dramas hit our screens. In 2026, I want to once again witness the clever banter and simmering chemistry in a way that feels classic, yet new. The only question that then remains is, will Jack Lowden’s Mr. Darcy join the ranks of previously adored Darcys (played by Colin Firth and Matthew MacFadyen)? And better yet, will this adaptation be a part of the infamous 1995 vs 2005 debate? Only time will tell!
Pride and Prejudice will stream on Netflix in 2026, though the exact date is unknown.
The Artful Dodger (2023-Present)
Calling all Dickens fans! Based on the beloved character, Jack Dawkins, also known as the Artful Dodger from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, and set 15 years after the events of the novel, The Artful Dodger brings another season of the titular character balancing his life as a surgeon and a charming pickpocket (though a bit reluctantly, to begin with), wreaking havoc in 1850s Australia. Unlike more moody entries like Dracula, The Artful Dodger thrives on energy and clever trickery, within a fast-paced plot line.
I’m genuinely delighted to see another character I’m fond of get more screen time (first Mary Bennet, then Dodger? I’m feeling blessed.) It was a joy watching Dawkins be the lovable thief he is in season 1, and this season appears to follow that same formula of quintessential Dickensian charm and comedy. With the addition of a new character and a romantic rival for Dawkins, I think we’ve got a winner on our hands. If you’re a fan of heist shows, or playful, character-driven drama (and of course, a romantic subplot!), then The Artful Dodger is calling your name. While the first season premiered in 2023, the second season will be released in 2026.
The Artful Dodger Season 2 will premiere on February 10, 2026 on Hulu and Disney+.
Young Sherlock (2026)
If there’s one thing I know for sure about myself, it’s that I will watch anything Sherlock and this is no exception. Young Sherlock is exactly what it sounds like: a series about a 19-year-old Sherlock at Oxford where his first murder case takes place. If you’ve always wondered what Sherlock was like in his late teens, then this show might answer some of your questions.
The show deals with Sherlock’s first foray into crime-solving, and will give insight into his relationship with his future nemesis Moriarty. However, Watson fans might be disappointed because the show features a time in Sherlock’s life before he met Watson. With Guy Ritchie—the person who directed the Sherlock movies with Robert Downey Jr. as the titular character—directing the whole thing, I’m definitely intrigued, especially since it explores the roots of a character we think we know so well. If you enjoy watching origin stories, or shows with sharp detectives at the helm, then Young Sherlock must go on your to-watch list.
Young Sherlock will be released on March 4, 2026 on Prime Video.
Enola Holmes 3 (2026)
It’s a big year for the Holmes family! The world has been waiting, and yes, Enola is back for her third cinematic adventure. Based on Nancy Springer’s book on Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister Enola Holmes, Enola Holmes 3 is for anyone who loves witty mysteries and independent, resourceful heroines, much like our Miss Scarlet, who’s also navigating a world that underestimates her. Millie Bobby Brown shines as Enola, bringing an extra dose of humor and sass that makes her feel especially relatable.
If you kept coming back to watch each of the previous two films, then naturally, this is the next step. This time, Enola travels to Malta for more adventure and mystery, and the third movie promises to be just as exciting, smart, and endlessly charming. Fans of other teen or breezy young-adult-friendly mysteries like Nancy Drew, should add this movie to their Netflix queue. The third movie could easily outshine its predecessors (with an engagement, perhaps?) and I will absolutely be taking time off this summer, cheering for her from my home.
Enola Holmes 3 will release on Netflix in summer 2026, though the exact date is unknown.
