Netflix have already had a strong showing so far in 2023 with their original period dramas.
We kicked off 2023 with the return of Vikings: Valhalla (one of the series I was most looking forward to watching this year) and the gorgeously gothic The Pale Blue Eye starring Christian Bale as a veteran detective who gets a bit of help with his case from a young Edgar Allan Poe.
And now as April approaches, Netflix is offering up even more period drama goodiness to keep us occupied on those spring shower days (we live in Britain, they will come!). So here’s what period dramas you should keep an eye out for on Netflix over the coming weeks.
(P.S. Before you start, if you are looking for the most up-to-date period drama info – don’t forget to check out my period drama guide.)
2nd April – War Sailor
Guaranteed to be a tear jerker, War Sailor is written and directed by Gunnar Vikene and based on true stories of Norwegian merchant sailors and their families during and after World War II. Non-English language titles have seen a remarkable surge in popularity on Netflix over the last few years and this Norwegian limited series looks set to be the next success.
Alfred Garnes is a working-class sailor, who has recently become the father of a third child. He and his childhood friend Sigbjørn Kvalen (Wally) are working on a merchant ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when World War II breaks out. They are unarmed civilians on the front lines of a war they never asked to join. The two men struggle for survival in a spiral of violence and death, where at any moment German submarines may attack their valuable vessels. The war sailors have one goal: to survive–and to return home.
7th April – Transatlantic
Marseille 1940-1941.Transatlantic is inspired by the true story of Varian Fry, Mary Jayne Gold and the Emergency Rescue Committee. Risking their lives to help more than 2000 refugees escape occupied France, including many artists on the Nazis’ most-wanted list, an international gang of young superheroes and their famous charges occupy a villa at the edge of the city, where the threat of mortal danger gives way to unexpected collaborations and intense love affairs.
I think its pretty brave of Netflix to release TWO WWII series – both based on true stories – within five days of each other, but at the same time I am not complaining! With the current Ukrainian war and debate around refugees, I think Transatlantic could be a very relevant and timely period drama – and a potential sleeper hit!
14th April – The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die
I was a bit of a late comer to The Last Kingdom but it quickly got me hooked! I’m still on Series 4, so you may have to wait a while to hear my thoughts about the grand movie finale which will round off an epic total of five series based on Bernard Cornwell’s incredible Saxon Stories novels.
For a century war has raged through the land between its inhabitants and the Danish invaders. But now a peace has settled with the country nearly united – only Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg, ruling over Northumbria, is yet to pledge his land to the throne. But when King Edward dies the peace is threatened as his two potential heirs, Aethelstan and Aelfweard, battle to claim the crown. When Uhtred hears that Aethelstan – once his ward and protégé ‐ is to fight, he rides to help him secure victory, but the young prince has fallen under a dark influence and is not the same boy Uhtred once knew. And when Aethelstan’s actions threatens the life Uhtred has known, Uhtred must decide where his loyalties lie – with the king, or with his homeland.
4th May – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Centered on Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and power, this Bridgerton-verse prequel tells the story of how the young Queen’s marriage to King George sparked both a great love story and a societal shift, creating the world of the Ton inherited by the characters in Bridgerton.
An official trailer has recently been released, and we have met the cast, but apart from that we don’t currently know much else about one of the most anticipated period drama releases of 2023. We do know its been designated a limited series, meaning its likely to be a one-off (sorry to disappoint you Bridgerton fans).
Which one of these new Netflix period dramas are you most looking forward to watching in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more period dramas to stream? Try this post from the archives about past period dramas on Netflix. I also really enjoyed watching The Dig on Netflix.