6 Romantic Period Dramas to Watch on TV & In Theaters in 2026
•October 4, 2026, 3:00 pm
Romantic period drama lovers have been well fed so far in 2026. We started off with Wuthering Heights andBridgerton Season 4, with Enola Holmes 3, My Brilliant Career, and more TV and movie standouts arriving in the summer. As we head into fall and winter, there are even more swoonworthy love stories to come.
If you’re tuned into period drama romances like we are — and we assume you are, since you’re here — the new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is likely already on your radar. Based on all the sneak peeks revealed so far, we’re so ready to be captivated by Daisy Edgar-Jones‘ Marianne and George MacKay‘s Edward. But when that comes and goes, what other titles are left to look forward to this year?
Never fear,Swooon has all the answers. Keep scrolling for all the remaining romantic period drama movies and TV shows of 2026, from Pride and Prejudice to The Other Bennet Sister.
Sense and Sensibility Release Date: October 16 in Theaters
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esme Creed-Miles, George MacKay, Caitríona Balfe, Fiona Shaw, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Frank Dillane, and Herbert Nordrum
In case Sense and Sensibility hasn’t crossed your news feed yet — yes, another adaptation of Austen’s iconic romance is coming to theaters over 30 years after Ang Lee‘s version. Led by Normal People star Edgar-Jones, the story revolves around the Dashwood sisters and their respective love stories after their father dies and leaves them down-and-out. Once they move to the countryside and face their change in status, the sensible Elinor falls for Edward. Her romantic sister Marianne enters a love triangle with Willoughby and the older Colonel Brandon. It’s time to fall in love with the Dashwoods again!
The Gilded Age Season 4 Premiere Date: Sunday, November 1, on HBO
Cast: Morgan Spector, Carrie Coon, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski, Taissa Farmiga, Harry Richardson, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, and more
Julian Fellows’ The Gilded Age isn’t all about the romance, but relationships are at the heart of the show. Over the course of the 1880s-set HBO series, orphan Marian (Jacobson) settles in New York City, living with her rigid, old-money aunts and becoming a witness to the clash between families like her own and new-money elites like the Russells, headed by a railroad tycoon (Morgan). Marian, along with the rest of the characters, experiences ups and downs in her love life. Some relationships are stronger than ever going into Season 4, while others are more complicated. We’re here for both.
The Remarried Empress Premiere Date: November 4 on Hulu
Cast: Shin Min-a, Ju Jihoon, Lee Jongsuk, Lee Se-young, and more
Based on a web novel of the same name, The Remarried Empress’ title is its premise. Empress Navier (Shin) is left by her Emperor husband (Ju), who wants to marry an escaped slave (Lee). Navier allows him to do so only if she can marry his rival, Prince Heinrey (Lee). Romance ensues as Navier also sets out to reclaim her power.
The Empress Season 3 Premiere Date: November 12 on Netflix
Cast: Devrim Lingnau, Philip Froissant, and more
It’s an empress-heavy 2026. Netflix’s German drama The Empress will premiere its third and final season this year. In case you want to catch up from the beginning, allow us to share the premise: It’s based on the real-life figure of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. The rebellious Elisabeth (Lingnau) falls for and marries Emperor Franz (Froissant), and they’re tested by the Viennese court. Going into Season 3, the couple’s marriage is on thin ice, challenged by war, health issues, and infidelity.
Pride and Prejudice Premiere Date: December 1 on Netflix
Cast: Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, Olivia Colman, Rufus Sewell, Louis Partridge, Daryl McCormack, and more
It’s the year of the Austen adaptation! Pride and Prejudice is being remade as a Netflix limited series, telling the tried-and-true tale of the independent Elizabeth Bennet (Corrin). In what showrunner Dolly Alderton has promised is a faithful adaptation, the middle class Elizabeth clashes with and ultimately falls for closed-off aristocrat Fitzwilliam Darcy (Lowden). It’s the OG enemies-to-lovers rom-com, if you will.
The Other Bennet Sister Christmas Special Premiere: Winter 2026 on BritBox
Cast: Ella Bruccoleri, Dónal Finn, Laurie Davidson, Ruth Jones, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, and more
Yep, there’s another Austen project — well, Austen-adjacent, since the book it’s based on is an Austen-inspired spinoff — is coming. The Other Bennet Sister made such a splash on BBC earlier this year, telling the coming-of-age story of the overlooked Mary Bennet (Bruccoleri). In Season 1, Mary finds her independence as two suitors, Tom Hayward (Finn) and William Ryder (Davidson) pine after her. Mary’s happily-ever-after is set to continue in a three-part Christmas Special, which will see her navigate married life.
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