British TV Time Travel: The Best British TV Period Dramas of 2015
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Last Updated on July 12, 2025 by Stefanie Hutson
One of the great things about British period dramas is that they hold up well with the passage of time. Though some of the earliest ones definitely feel dated because of the camera technology, the majority of those made in the last 2-3 decades are still fantastic. Today, we wanted to dial it back about 10 years and take a look at some of the best British period drama premieres of 2015 (just one year before we started this website).
Wolf Hall
Set in the 1500s, Wolf Hall adapts Hilary Mantel’s award-winning novels about Thomas Cromwell’s rise in the court of Henry VIII. Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) stars as the cunning Cromwell, with Damian Lewis (Homeland) as the unpredictable king and Claire Foy (The Crown) as Anne Boleyn. The series stands out for its subtle, slow-burn tension and visually restrained style, capturing the quiet menace of Tudor politics.
Poldark
Poldark begins in the late 1700s as Ross Poldark returns to his Cornish estate after fighting in the American War of Independence. Aidan Turner (Being Human) plays the brooding title character, who finds his world turned upside down by betrayal, economic hardship, and class conflict. With windswept cliffs and slow-burn romance, this reboot of the 1970s classic became a global sensation.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
This seven-part series blends historical fiction and fantasy, imagining a version of the Napoleonic Wars in which magic is real — but nearly forgotten. Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) stars as the cautious Mr Norrell, while Bertie Carvel (Doctor Foster) plays his more reckless rival, Jonathan Strange. Based on Susanna Clarke’s novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell combines dark whimsy with historical detail in a way few series attempt.
The Last Kingdom
Based on Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories, The Last Kingdom is set in 9th-century England and follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon noble raised by Vikings. Alexander Dreymon (American Horror Story) plays Uhtred, caught between two cultures as kingdoms rise and fall. With battle scenes, political scheming, and rich historical worldbuilding, it’s a must-watch for fans of early medieval drama.
Dickensian
Dickensian reimagines the world of Charles Dickens by bringing together characters from across his novels into one interconnected Victorian London. Anton Lesser (Better) plays Inspector Bucket, who investigates the murder of Jacob Marley. The ensemble also includes Stephen Rea (The Shadow Line), Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey), and Caroline Quentin (Blue Murder). It’s a creative twist on classic literature, full of familiar faces and new intrigue.
Cider with Rosie
This single-episode adaptation of Laurie Lee’s memoir captures the simplicity and charm of post-WWI village life. Samantha Morton (The Walking Dead) narrates, while newcomer Archie Cox plays young Laurie. With a gentle tone and beautiful Gloucestershire scenery, Cider with Rosie is a nostalgic snapshot of a bygone England.
The Go-Between
Based on L.P. Hartley’s novel, The Go-Between tells the story of a young boy who becomes a secret messenger between forbidden lovers in an Edwardian household. Jack Hollington (Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands) stars as Leo, with Stephen Campbell Moore (The History Boys) and Lesley Manville (Magpie Murders) as the adults at the heart of the tragedy. Vanessa Redgrave (Call the Midwife) appears as an older Leo looking back on a fateful summer.
An Inspector Calls
This stylish adaptation of J.B. Priestley’s classic play features David Thewlis (Fargo) as Inspector Goole, a mysterious figure who interrogates a wealthy family after a young woman’s death. Set in 1912, An Inspector Calls unfolds as a morality tale in a world teetering on the edge of war, with performances by Miranda Richardson (Blackadder) and Ken Stott (Rebus).
The Dresser
Set during the Blitz, The Dresser offers a backstage look at an aging Shakespearean actor and the long-suffering assistant who keeps him going. Ian McKellen (Vicious) plays the fragile, fading “Sir,” while Anthony Hopkins (The Father) plays his dresser, Norman. Based on Ronald Harwood’s play, this drama explores loyalty, legacy, and the price of a life in the theatre.
Arthur & George
Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) plays Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this three-part ITV series based on a real-life case. When a half-Indian solicitor is wrongly imprisoned, Doyle investigates — becoming a real-life detective to right the injustice. Set in the early 1900s, Arthur & George blends mystery and biography with a restrained Edwardian tone.
And Then There Were None
This chilling three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel brings together ten strangers on a remote island in 1939, each hiding a deadly secret. Aidan Turner (Poldark), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), and Miranda Richardson (Churchill) lead the cast in one of Christie’s darkest and most tightly constructed stories. It’s lavish, faithful, and tense to the very end.
Harry Price: Ghost Hunter
Rafe Spall (Trying) stars as Harry Price, a real-life 1920s psychic investigator who debunks — or confirms — claims of paranormal activity. Set in interwar London, Harry Price: Ghost Hunter is a standalone drama full of atmospheric lighting, period details, and a hint of the supernatural.
Life in Squares
Spanning from the 1910s to the 1940s, Life in Squares dramatizes the lives and complicated relationships of the Bloomsbury Group — including Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell. James Norton (Grantchester) and Phoebe Fox (The Great) star, with a narrative that jumps across decades to show how love, art, and personal freedom shaped a generation of creatives.
Partners in Crime
Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) and David Walliams (Little Britain) play Tuppence and Tommy Beresford, an amateur detective couple caught up in Cold War espionage. Set in 1950s Britain and full of mid-century charm, Partners in Crime offers light mystery with stylish flair and playful banter.
Hetty Feather
Based on the Jacqueline Wilson novel, Hetty Feather follows a spirited girl living in a Victorian foundling hospital. Set in the 1880s, the series blends drama, friendship, and social issues in a family-friendly format. Isabel Clifton leads the cast, with support from Eva Pope (Waterloo Road) and Lorraine Bruce (The Syndicate).
Home Fires
Set in a rural Cheshire village during the early years of World War II, Home Fires follows the lives of the women who keep their community going while the men are away at war. The story centers around the local Women’s Institute, which shifts from jam-making and socials to organizing war efforts and navigating personal tragedies. Francesca Annis (Cranford) and Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey) lead the ensemble cast. With its focus on quiet resilience, friendship, and the shifting roles of women, Home Fires delivers wartime drama with warmth and heart.
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