Finished with 'The Buccaneers'? Try These Next

A New Wave of Period Dramas

Historical dramas often come with a reputation for being stiff and overly proper, filled with quiet tension and formal dinner scenes. However, there's a new wave of period dramas that are anything but old-fashioned. These shows blend historical settings with modern attitudes, creating a fun, chaotic, and engaging experience. If you enjoyed “The Buccaneers” on Apple TV+, you’ll find similar vibes in these four other shows.

The Gilded Age

If “The Buccaneers” hooked you with its money, scandal, and high-society rule-breaking, “The Gilded Age” is an easy next watch. Set in 1880s New York, this show explores the tension between old money and new. While it lacks the modern flair of “The Buccaneers,” it still delivers delicious drama with petty rivalries, social climbing, and fierce women who know how to play the game. The over-the-top costumes, mansions, and parties make it a standout, and the younger characters push back against traditional rules, making it feel as cutthroat as modern reality TV.

Bridgerton

Gossip has never looked this good. “Bridgerton” takes the corsets and courtship of traditional period dramas and adds color, chemistry, and chaos. From the first ball, it’s clear this isn’t your grandma’s Regency romance. It’s fast, flirty, and full of slow-burn tension that feels modern. A mysterious gossip columnist stirs the pot, forbidden romances abound, and there are more steamy glances than you can count. What sets “Bridgerton” apart is how it lets its characters pursue power, passion, and independence, mirroring some of the themes explored in “The Buccaneers.”

Sanditon

Not every period drama gets a second chance, but “Sanditon” pulled it off with style. Based on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, the show starts with a young woman arriving in a seaside town full of secrets and suitors. What unfolds is emotionally layered and unpredictable, delving into ambition, heartbreak, and class politics. Charlotte, the lead, isn’t stuck in a neat arc; her story twists and evolves over the seasons. Even though it’s quieter than “The Buccaneers,” it taps into the same energy of young women pushing against societal expectations.

The Great

No one rewrites history quite like “The Great.” This genre-bending show is technically a period piece but doesn’t shy away from absurdity. Elle Fanning plays Catherine the Great with a mix of optimism, rage, and sarcasm, while Nicholas Hoult brings Emperor Peter to life as a ridiculous yet likable man-child. The show swings between absurd comedy and pathos, with jaw-dropping moments that still feel grounded in real emotional stakes. It’s loud, stylish, and unhinged, offering a sharp exploration of gender, politics, and ambition.

Other Recommendations

If you’re looking for more shows after finishing “The Buccaneers,” consider these:

• Dickinson: A coming-of-age story about Emily Dickinson, a poet and total rebel.
• Vanity Fair: Follows Becky Sharp as she strives to climb the social ladder in England.
• Sense and Sensibility: Explores the romantic struggles of the Dashwood sisters in a society governed by status and money.
• Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story: Delves into the origins of Queen Charlotte’s marriage and its impact on society.