There’s something special about the Roaring Twenties and the 1930s that keeps us coming back for more. Maybe it’s the liberation of women, the rise of jazz, or the rapidly changing society. One thing alllll period dramas from this time have in common is the mixture of grit and glamour, transporting us to an era where every hat had a feather and every heart had a secret! From the smoky underworld of Peaky Blinders to the village life in All Creatures Great and Small, read on for all the best dramas from the interwar period.
Peaky Blinders
Stream on BBC iPlayer
Set in the aftermath of World War I, Peaky Blinders plunges you into the dangerous streets of 1920s Birmingham where the Shelby family rule with sharp suits and even sharper razor blades sewn into their flat caps. By day they run a respectable betting business–on paper, at least! And by night (and most of the day too), they’re deep in a world of racketeering, political deals and power plays they stretch wayyyyy beyond the city’s limits. As the series leaves the 1920s to the turbulent 1930s, the stakes get higher, the enemies more ruthless and the Shelby's face everything from rival gangs to the rise of fascism–all while keeping their cool under a haze of cigarette smoke! Starring Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Tom Hardy and Joe Cole.
Mr Selfridge
Watch now on ITVX
Prepare to be whisked into the dazzling world of London retail during the 1920s and '30s, where no store was more fabulous than Selfridge’s. Jeremy Piven stars as Harry Selfridge, a bold American entrepreneur who turned shopping into an experience and his store into a cultural hotspot! But behind the window displays and champagne lies a world of high-stakes business, scandalous affairs, and the shifting role of women in a rapidly changing society.
Dope Girls
Stream on BBC iPlayer
Set in the seductive world of post WWI Soho, Dope Girls dives into the more shadowy side of the Roaring Twenties. Inspired by real events, this drama explores a London where women are at the centre of a growing drugs trade and social rebellion is as intoxicating as anything on offer in the clubs. As drugs and freedom flow through the speakeasies, the series explores moral panic and cultural shifts of the time, painting the image of an era where danger and glamour walked hand in hard.
All Creatures Great and Small
Stream on 5
Journey to the scenic Yorkshire Dales of the 1930s, All Creatures Great and Small follows James Herriot, a young vet who soon discovers that life in a small village is anything but boring! From stubborn cows to mischievous sheep, James navigates his new career whilst also meeting some of the quirky locals. Set against the backdrop of post-WW1 England, this drama is the perfect picture of countryside charm, animal antics and light-hearted drama.
Poirot
Stream on ITVX
Step into the world of art deco, glamour, vintage trains and perfectly twirled moustaches–Poirot shows the post WWI escapism at its most elegant. Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective solves murders with his impeccable wardrobe and sharp eye for the smallest of details. Whether it’s a country manor, luxury cruise, or even the Orient Express, no mystery is too hard for the charming Hercule Poirot (David Suchet)! Murder mystery fans, you’ll love this!
Towards Zero
Watch now on BBC iPlayer
Set in a beautiful seaside estate in 1930s England, this classic Agatha Christie murder mystery sees a group of guests arrive with secrets, old grudges and tangled relationships soon rising to the surface. With tensions running very high, it comes as no surprise when a murder takes place! However, Inspector Leach must work quickly to catch the killer among the household, before they strike again! Starring Jack Farthing, Clarke Peters and Matthew Rhys.
Dancing on the Edge
Stream now on U
Set in the heart of 1930s London, Dancing on the Edge follows an African-American jazz band as they navigate the glamour and tension of high society. As their music lights up the city’s swanky clubs, they also uncover the darker side of fame, wealth, and privilege. From smoky jazz bars to glittering ballroom floors, the series captures the thrilling mix of glamour, scandal, and racial tension that defined the interwar years, all set to a jazzy soundtrack.
Indian Summers
Available to stream on Channel 4
Set in 1930s India, Indian Summers explores the final years of British colonial rule as tensions simmer and passions flare. Against the backdrop of a British-run hill station, the series weaves together the lives of the British elite and the Indian population on the edge of independence. With romance, betrayal, and power plays at everyyyy corner, Indian Summers brings the 1920s and '30s to life, capturing the complex and often explosive dynamics of an empire on the brink of change.
And if you're looking for more recommendations check out all the new shows coming this year!
