The Best Clean British Period Dramas
This list of the best clean British period dramas is perfect for all lovers of historical stories who are looking for wholesome movies without all the unnecessary, inappropriate elements.
There’s just something so lovely about finding the perfect period drama; the costumes and handwritten letters, the beautiful scenery, and the happily-ever-after. Oh, and you can’t forget the British accents!
And nothing beats finding clean period dramas that you can watch with the whole family, that still contain all the elegance and charm of a long gone era.
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Best Clean British Period Dramas
I love nothing more than sitting down to watch a good British period drama, and over the years I have started making a list of my favorite ones– the movies I return to again and again, and never grow tired of watching no matter how many times I have seen them.
The movies on this list all have little to no sexual content, violence, or bad language. I do, however, advise checking parents guides and reviews before watching each movie since everyone has different opinions on what is considered clean and appropriate for each viewer.
These movies are sure to sweep you off your feet with the beauty of the costumes, the enchanting close-knit villages, and the more simple way of living.
I hope you enjoy this list of clean period dramas, and find some new favorites!
Doctor Thorne (2016)
Doctor Thorne (2016)
The period drama Doctor Thorne, based off the novel by Anthony Trollope, is a miniseries from Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, starring Stefanie Martini, Harry Richardson, and Tom Hollander.
Set in Victorian England, the story follows Mary Thorne, a young woman without money, and the handsome Frank Gresham who is being pressured to marry a rich heiress to save his family. Yet Frank finds himself becoming attracted to Mary, and she to him.
I absolutely adore the costumes in this movie! They’re just stunning!
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
The 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, is hands down my favorite version.
Starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet, this six-episode tv drama follows the Bennet family with five daughters.
Mrs. Bennet is intent on finding husbands for all her daughters, and the arrival of the rich and handsome Mr. Bingley and his proud, rich friend, Mr. Darcy, starts an exciting chain of events in the neighborhood.
This is the ultimate British period drama, and you absolutely must watch it if you haven’t yet!
Emma (2009)
Another amazing Jane Austen adaptation, this four-episode miniseries stars Romola Garai, Michael Gambon, and Jonny Lee Miller.
Emma Woodhouse loves nothing more than matchmaking, especially because her matches often seem to come about! But when some of her matches don’t turn out as planned, Emma begins to realize that her meddling is not always the best idea, and she must deal with the consequences.
Emma is another period drama with beautiful costumes, as well as several dreamy ballroom scenes!
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Yes, another period drama based on a Jane Austen novel! Sense and Sensibility is a story about the Dashwood family, specifically the two sisters Elinor (Emma Thompson) and Marianne (Kate Winslet).
After moving from their childhood home to a small cottage in the country following their father’s death, both sisters are faced with challenging, and exciting, new relationships.
While passionate, headstrong Marianne has conflicting feelings about two different men– the exciting and handsome John Willoughby and the older, wiser Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman)–, Elinor cares only for kind Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant).
The close, sisterly bond between the Dashwood sisters is one of my favorite things about this movie.
Cranford (2007)
Adapted from Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel Cranford, this miniseries follows the women of Cranford as they see changes (such as a railroad and a new doctor) coming to their small town during the period of the Industrial Revolution. While it is looked favorably upon by some, others are fearful of the change it will bring to their safe, predictable life.
Starring Judi Dench and a whole cast of loveable, hilarious characters, this series full of village charm and romance is sure to sweep you off your feet as you experience life through the eyes of the residents of Cranford.
Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011)
Much like Cranford in its small town/village setting, this four season series begins when Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan) leaves the little hamlet of Lark Rise where she grew up to go work for her mother’s cousin, Dorcas Lane (Julia Sawalha), who is postmistress in the nearby market town of Candleford.
While apprenticed to Dorcas, Laura must learn to navigate different relationships and make decisions for herself as she grows into a woman.
One aspect I really like about this series is that we don’t only get Laura’s POV, but we also get to see a lot of what’s happening in the lives of many other characters in both the hamlet of Lark Rise and the town of Candleford.
The closely knit community and friendships in this series is both entertaining and lovely to watch!
Belle (2013)
Belle (2013)
Set in the late 1700s, this story follows Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate and biracial daughter of a Royal Navy Captain, as she grows up among her great uncle and aunt, Lord and Lady Mansfield, and her cousin Elizabeth.
As she becomes a young woman, Dido begins to realize how differently she and her cousin are being treated, simply because of the circumstances of her birth.
Dido befriends her uncle’s new apprentice, aspiring lawyer, John Davinier, who is working to help abolish slavery in England, and the two end up working together and becoming attracted to each other.
Based on a true story, this historical drama is incredibly moving and captivating. Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sam Reid, and James Norton.
North and South (2004)
Margaret Hale and her family are from the sunny countryside of the South of England, so when they move to the North and are faced with a dirty, smoky city, they are in for quite a surprise.
The city is home to a large cotton factory, owned by the seemingly harsh Mr. Thornton, and Margaret is appalled at the conditions many of the employees are working and living in.
Margaret’s father begins tutoring young men as a means of income, and Mr. Thornton becomes one of his pupils. Margaret and Mr. Thornton see each other often, but are little more than acquaintances because of his mother’s disapproval of Margaret, and Margaret’s disdain for the young man who seems to care more for money than his employees.
Over time, though, both come to understand each other better and realize that they can both learn from each other’s views.
Starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe, this story set in mid-nineteenth century England is one of my favorite clean, historical dramas!
Under the Greenwood Tree (2005)
Under the Greenwood Tree (2005)
Based off the novel by Thomas Hardy, this British period drama follows the charming and beautiful school teacher, Fancy Day.
Upon arriving in the little English village, Fancy begins to be pursued by three different men, all with very different characters and occupations, but she only falls for one.
This is yet another movie centered around a small village, with gorgeous scenery and a beautiful English countryside aesthetic. If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy, comfort movie, you should definitely give this British period drama a watch!
Starring Keeley Hawes and James Murray.
Wives and Daughters (1999)
This mini series starring Justine Waddell, Francesca Annis, and Bill Paterson is about Molly Gibson who lives with her widowed father, and is perfectly happy with her simple life with her books and country ways.
Yet her father is not content to remain a single parent, and sends Molly off to the home of a family friend while he plans a marriage with a woman who has a daughter close to Molly’s age. With their arrival comes drama and much change to the quiet life Molly had previously enjoyed with her father.
This series has beautiful costumes accurate to the time period, a whole cast of interesting, good-hearted, (and sometimes aggravating!) characters, a lot of Mrs. Gibson drama, and most importantly, a happy ending for Molly. I just love this series.
Final thoughts on Best Clean British Period Dramas
It can be so hard to find clean historical movies, so I hope this list has helped you get started on finding some of the best clean British period dramas!
I’ve included ten of my favorites here, which span from Georgian, Regency, and Victorian times, and all feature exquisite costumes, cinematography, plots, and of course, incredible accents.
Let me know in the comments if you have seen any of these or decide to watch them, and if you would like a part two to this post. I definitely have many more favorites!
