If you follow me on Instagram and have caught some of my Insta-stories, you probably know about my latest favorite TV shows.
Doc Martin…
The Paradise…
…and Poldark:
Unfortunately, there was only two seasons of The Paradise (wah!!) , but season 3 of Poldark starts in October (yay!!). I should mention (for those who didn’t see my Insta-stories about it), there is a very emotionally brutal scene in the last 15 minutes or so of episode 8 in season 2. If you’re a “feeler” (like me!), I would recommend fast forwarding past that. It was definitely something I didn’t need to see and had a hard time shaking. You’ll know what’s going on if you just skip to episode 9, so don’t worry about missing anything if you decide to skip the last part of episode 8.
I didn’t watch much TV before Sonny came home, but I really look forward to a late-night show to unwind now that my days are much mentally busier! So what will I watch next? I asked my Instagram followers, and these are the shows they recommended:
Lark Rise to Candleford:
In this adaptation of Flora Thompson’s memoir of her childhood, Laura Timmins leaves the Oxfordshire hamlet of Lark Rise for a job in the market town of Candleford, where her mother’s cousin, effervescent Dorcas Lane, is postmistress. Farm workers, craftsmen and gentry make up the community of families, rivals, friends and neighbours. Throughout the series, residents of both places interact at the best and the worst of times, including a measles epidemic that threatens the harvest and the arrival of new Post Office Inspector Mr. Rushton.
Indian Summers:
“Indian Summers” is a miniseries set in the foothills of the Himalayas during the summer of 1932. The narrative focuses on the social politics behind the decline of the British Empire and the birth of modern India. A power struggle is emphasized through Brits sent to govern Northern India every summer and the Indian natives who are yearning for independence. The Indian Civil Service and the British Club rule from the foothills town of Simla, where the drama unfolds among Ralph Whelan, private secretary to the Viceroy of India; his younger, recently widowed sister Alice; and Cynthia Coffin, the proprietor of the club.
Heart of Dixie:
New York doctor Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) has reached a crossroads in her life when she decides to accept an offer from a stranger to work with him at his practice in Alabama. When she arrives in town, she discovers that the man has died and left her his half of the practice in his will, something that doesn’t exactly make her new partner happy. Despite the shock of Southern life and some less-than-hospitable town folk, Zoe decides to give her new life a chance and discovers a new side of herself in the process.
Call the Midwife:
Adapted by Heidi Thomas from the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth, this drama series is a moving, funny, colorful look at midwifery and family in 1950s East End London. It follows newly qualified midwife Jenny, who joins an eccentric, lovable community of nuns who are nurses at Nonnatus House.
Heartland:
This sprawling family saga takes place right on the range where an unfortunate tragedy has glued a family together to pull them through life’s thick and thin moments. Follow young Amy Fleming as she slowly discovers she possesses her now-deceased mother’s ability to aid injured horses, and her relationships with those who are trying to get by one day at a time.
Grantchester:
Sidney Chambers is a charming clergyman who turns into an investigator when one of his parishioners dies under suspicious circumstances in this drama set in 1953. He partners up with gruff, down-to-earth police inspector Geordie Keating, whose methodical approach to police work complements Sidney’s intuitive techniques of getting information out of people. The two partners — who bring different insights into the crimes they start to unravel — form a true friendship as they work together.
Home Fires:
“Home Fires” is a drama series inspired by Julie Summers’ nonfiction book “Jambusters.” The story follows a group of women living in a rural Cheshire village during World War II. With the war occupying their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, the women are forced to cope with the pressures of living with limited resources in a nation of disarray. Through their difficulties, the ladies find strength by forming the Great Paxford Women’s Institute, which helps them maintain hope and order in their community as Britain crumbles around them.
Dickensian:
A drama based on the works of Charles Dickens.
Grand Hotel:
Several strangers meet during their stay at a luxurious hotel.
Velvet:
The young heir to a fashion empire falls in love with a humble seamstress.
Outlander:
After serving as a British Army nurse in World War II, Claire Randall is enjoying a second honeymoon in Scotland with husband Frank, an MI6 officer looking forward to a new career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly, Claire is transported to 1743 and into a mysterious world where her freedom and life are threatened.
Because that last one got the most rave reviews (by far!) I started watching it the other night. There was some pretty racy scenes in episode 1 (think: rated R), but the storyline was super intriguing. I’ve heard there are some torture scenes in future episodes, so I’ll be fast forwarding past those too!
What about you? Do you have a favorite series that wasn’t mentioned here? I’d love to find more like Doc Martin, The Paradise and Poldark!
Layla
Layla!
I absolutely L O V E D Paradise!! I was also bummed there was only 2 seasons. Thanks for the heads-up that Polldark will be back soon.
I haven’t been on Facebook during our busy summer, I hope I haven’t missed too many facebook Live chats!
Shelley from Northern California
Lark Rise and Call the Midwife! Loved and have rewatched both of those. I’ll have to try some of the others. Thanks for the list!
You are going to love Lark Rise to Candleford!!! You won’t ever have to fast forward or feel uncomfortable… totally uplifting and enjoyable for the whole family!!! Love it!
I 2nd this…Honestly Layla, I think you should bump it to the top of the list because I think you’ll love it, based on your other favs. And you’Il get to see Verity (I can’t remember her character’s name on The Paradise) a lot in Lark Rise! She plays another endearing, clumsy character.
I watched Paradise which was good but Call the Midwife was great..I miss these types of good miniseries,
I started Outlander and thought perhaps the racy start wasn’t what I should be viewing, but if it was just the first show, perhaps I’ll give it a try.
Have a blessed day!
Midsomer Murders!!! Murder mysteries in a fictional English county. Lots and lots and lots of seasons, so it will keep you busy.
I love all the shows above. Outlander is an amazing story. You just need to get past the racy parts and the torture. I recently visited my daughter in Australia and discovered Miss Fisher’s Mysteries (PBS) 800 Words (PBS) and The Dr. Blake Mysteries (Netflix). They are all wonderful.
You have a lot of good shows listed, but Lark Rise is the sweetest. Just the sweetest. Enjoy!
My 23 yr old son told me that one thing he will remember from growing up is sitting with me watching British series! hah! Can.not.get.enough! All the ones you listed are so good – did you ever watch Selfridge’s? I enjoyed that as well. Be careful with Grand Hotel, you will get hooked and mid-way you will think you can actually speak Spanish! haha, I’d turn off the subtitles only to realize I don’t speak spanish. 😀 Enjoy
Have you seen “Candleford” and “Return to Candleford” – I absolutely love these! The casts are amazing!
I really loved “The Crown” on Netflix also – beautifully done and great cast.
I agree, both Candleford series are excellent!
We have yet to watch Poldark, but have heard good things.
Downtown Abbey is a favorite, although we have yet to watch the last season. And Larkrise is excellent too.
I’d recommend Cranford, and Return to Cranford.
I LOVE Heartland!! Although I only recently discovered it, so have many seasons ahead to enjoy. lol
If you like mysteries, my husband and I enjoy The Murdock Mysteries.
We love British shows/series. So much more enjoyable than most US options.
I meant to say Cranford, not Candleford. Is that what you meant?
Good pics. If you like all of those shows, you should check out some of the British House/Estate shows on Netflix!
The Secrets of Chatsworth, Secrets of Althorp (and so on) and Escape to the Country (it’s British House Hunters but better). You’d also like Mr. Selfridge I’ll bet!
I LOVE “Father Brown” too. It’s like Grantchester (priest with a gift for criminal investigation) but a little jollier. It’s so cute.
The Paradise was canceled just prior to Mr. Selfridge, I believe. I liked Mr. Selfridge as a good substitute for The Paradise.
I started watching Doc Martin after seeing your insta story and am enjoying it. A show that a friend suggested was the Durrels on Corfu it is on Amazon Prime. I think you might enjoy that.
If you did not watch Downton Abbey, I highly recommend it. It was the best show I’ve ever seen. You definitely need to give it a try. I also loved the The White Queen and The White Princess. I can’t wait for The Red Queen.
I love a lot of the British shows. Usually you can count on them to be clean, especially the BBC ones and Acorn Media. I get a little peeved with some of the “historical” shows out now because to me it seems like it’s more about who’s jumping into bed with who, that the actual history (for example The Tudors and The Borgias, couldn’t get past the first episode. I’ve found that if it’s rated TV-MA it’s probably going to have more racy/violent stuff than I want. I also like Murdock Mysteries and Father Brown. Bletchly Circle was very good, but on had 2 or 3 seasons (boo).
I read the Outlander books years ago and loved them, but yes there are some torture scenes. I skipped those in the books along with some of the racier sex scenes. Unfortunately, it’s harder to not see something than it is to skip over a scene in a book.
where are ya’ll watching these! can’t find them on netflix! is it amazon? hulu?
Oooh I absolutely love Poldark too!! Here in England, we are currently watching Season 3…it’s fab!! 🙂 My friend recently mentioned to me that I might enjoy Outlander too…as that is a period show with romance…so that might be one for the list. I also saw above that someone suggested Midsummer Murders. I love that too! It’s not historial…but is set in beautiful parts of England. Although murder mysteries…the episodes are not too graphic…and the characters are really likeable. It’s one I love to watch on a rainy day! With love Jo xxx
I’m a big fan of the British dramas but my absolute favorite series is This Is Us. The first episode has some racy scenes but this family and their struggles capture your heart as you see them learn what it means to really be a family. They address things like adoption, race and sibling rivalry in honest refreshing ways. Get out your tissues and catch up before season 2 this fall !
I apologize for messing up my response. I accidentally responded underneath someone else’s post. Sigh. More coffee please.
We have yet to watch Poldark, but have heard good things about it.
I’d recommend, as others have, Downtown Abbey, although we have yet to watch the last season. Larkrise is excellent, as is, Cranford, and Return to Cranford.
I absolutely LOVE Heartland!! Although I only recently discovered it. But, because of that, I have many seasons ahead to enjoy. lol
If you like mysteries, my husband and I enjoy The Murdock Mysteries. Some gore, but it’s not the majority of the show, and the acting is stellar.
We love British shows/series. So much more enjoyable than most US options.
Two detective mysteries, Broadchurch (starring David Tennant), although the subject matter is intense, the show is excellent. One season follows an entire case. I’ll admit, we watched one episode of the second season, and that’s as far as we got due to the subject matter. The same happened with Wallander (Kenneth Branagh).
Endeavor (Masterpiece theater) is AWESOME! A must.
If you like Poldark then you should also watch North and South! It is BY FAR my most favorite period series, well actually is a mini-series but still you’ll love it 1,000%! You’ll love Candelford to Larkrise, it’s is a precious show! And I absolutely agree that if you enjoy it you should check out Cranford, Return to Cranford as well as Death Comes to Pemberly, Anne with An “E” and and When calls the Heart. Happy watching!
I also LOVE doc Martin so I’m def gonna try some of these others!👏👏👏