6 Historical Dramas on Netflix to Watch if You Miss 'Downton Abbey'

Post-Edwardian England is the setting for Downton Abbey, the most popular British show in America in years and a testament to good old fashioned costume dramas and fantastic writing. Downton transcended genre, earning as many viewers as popular recent shows like Breaking Bad and amassing a cult following that tearfully bid farewell to the series this past Sunday.

Yes, Downton Abbey finished its six-season run this week but, take heart, there are plenty of other excellent historical dramas around for you to enjoy. On Netflix alone, there are a good number of older films you may not have seen when they came out. Period dramas attract a certain type of viewer and, hopefully, Downton's popularity expanded that group. Check out these six movies on Netflix if you love Downton and are already missing the show. You'll notice the names Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville below, as well as the usual Hollywood suspects in Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, Judi Dench, and Daniel Day-Lewis.

A Room with a View (1985)

Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Julian Sands, Daniel Day-Lewis, Fabia Drake, Patrick Godfrey

Iris (2001)

Starring: Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Bonneville

Atonement (2007)

Starring: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan, Vanessa Redgrave

The Great Gatsby (1974)

Starring: Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Bruce Dern, Sam Waterston, Karen Black

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland,
Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Talulah Riley, Judi Dench

Mansfield Park (1999)

Starring: Frances O'Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, James Purefoy, Hugh Bonneville, Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola