There are too many awesome period dramas out there to choose from, I found it very hard to pick. There are countless amazing mini series as well as continuing dramas so.... I'm breaking the rules here with 5 continuing dramas and 5 mini series... I couldn't resist.
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
I think I've mentioned how much I love this murder mystery series from Australia. Miss Fisher, the most glamourous lady detective, swans around in amazing outfits, rescuing orphans, fighting crime and having a pretty good time. Her chemistry with police detective Jack Robinson is also something not to miss. The supporting main cast are superb too, none are left out.
Crimes of Passion
Another great love of mine. Swedish crime drama about Puck, a scholar interested in murder and crime. She, along with her adorable husband Einar and their close friend, police superintendent Christer, slove crimes, that just so happen to take place near or where they are going to be. Puck is brilliant as an unconventional woman in the 50s as well as being an ace sleuth.
Carnivale
This was a show I was obsessed about when I first discovered HBO and when I had my first laptop so I could watch DVDs in my room. I was in heaven. I bought the first series super cheap and became obsessed with this 30s depression era set fantasty/sci-fi/weird drama. With characters all part of a travelling carnivale, Ben, a loner and outsider with an amazing gift joins them. Elsewhere a preacher and his sister hide their past lives and origin, but when the preacher himself starts manifesting powers, the pieces fall slowly together is a sinister and mangled way. Seriously though, I loved this show so much. It ends of a cliffhanger which annoyed me and the fans that petitioned for a proper ending. It never happened. Carnivale fans will forever be in limbo or worse, Babylon, fans will get that. Amazing opening titles though, so theres that.
Outlander
I wasn't sure about this show when I first started. Based a series of books written by an American woman about Scotland seemed a bit too romantic-ish but as there was fantasy element as well as bit o history drama, I was hooked. Plus I do love the leads, Claire and Jamie do keep it going. But I am a bit skeptic about season 3....
Taboo
The most recent of all my picks, Tom Hardy made, Tom Hardy acted. A gritty story set in London 1814 when the notorious James Delaney returns from Africa soon after the death of his father. He soon causes a stir with his violent methods and strange practices and catches the eye of the East India Company as well as the Crown. It's brilliant although I didn't like the end much but there is a series 2 planned so we'll see how it goes.
And the marvelous mini series...
Don't forget to check out where it all started over at Wandering Through the Shelves.