Antique Lovers’ Watchlist: The Most Beautiful Costume Dramas

Current Obsession: The Great
If you haven’t yet ventured into Hulu’s (or Netflix in some regions) The Great, you’re in for a treat. The series, a satirical yet surprisingly sharp take on Catherine the Great’s rise to power, dazzles not just with its witty dialogue but with its interiors. Lavish palaces, ornate furniture, and rooms that feel both historically informed and theatrically playful—perfect for anyone who loves the mix of grandeur and character.

Netflix Darling: The Law According to Lidia Poët
Lidia Poet may not dominate headlines the way some costume dramas do, but it excels in creating a tactile, lived-in world. It’s a feast for anyone obsessed with interiors that tell a story.

Spanish Splendour: Velvet, Grand Hotel, and the ever-stylish Manual para Señoritas
Spanish costume dramas deserve their own applause. Few productions handle antiques and interiors with such reverence. Velvet brings mid-century glamour, Grand Hotel leans into ornate classical elegance, and Manual para Señoritas (Manual for Ladies) is a delightful surprise—full of wit, charm, and lush interiors that make antique lovers swoon. All of these productions show remarkable attention to period detail and elegant tableware that makes you want to redecorate your own living room immediately.

The Reigning Favorite: Bridgerton
No list of must-watch costume dramas is complete without Bridgerton. Netflix’s Regency-era romance delivers drama, scandal, and romance, but it’s also a design masterclass. From the grand London townhouses to the lush country estates, every set is a lesson in proportion, color, and the understated extravagance of the early 19th century. Soft pastels, sweeping staircases, and the kind of floral wallpapers that could launch a thousand Pinterest boards—Bridgerton is obligatory viewing. It’s Regency romance turned up to eleven and a playful lesson in how antiques can feel fresh, flirtatious, and modern.

A Grand Staple: Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey needs no introduction. High ceilings, mahogany everywhere, and silver polished darker than most family secrets. The show is a love letter to craftsmanship, heritage design, and the small armies required to maintain both. For antique enthusiasts, it’s almost documentary-level bliss.

Lighthearted, Stylish Fun: Enola Holmes
A delightful surprise—bouncy, clever, and visually lush. While the story itself is wonderfully energetic, the Victorian interiors offer textures, layers, and decorative flourishes that beg to be paused and admired.

Why We Love Costume Drama Interiors
Costume dramas give us what modern interiors sometimes lack: a sense of history, craftsmanship, and storytelling through objects. Every chair, every mirror, every thread-worn tapestry carries its own character. For antique lovers, it’s a treasure hunt—spotting pieces, identifying styles, imagining how these elements could translate into contemporary homes.

So wrap yourself in a throw (preferably wool, naturally), settle in, and let these beautifully staged worlds sweep you away. And should inspiration strike… well, you know where to find a few exquisite antiques for your own home!

We will continue to add our favorite movies and series to this list. Curious to know which are yours!? Do share!