Eight episodes of the new Shonda Rhimes and Netflix collab Bridgerton just wasn't enough, was it? We don't think so either. We want more intense drama, lush costumes, sumptuous sets, and of course, steamy love scenes. Period dramas feel like the perfect, much-needed mental escape right now. Not to mention the ultra-sultry onscreen interactions between several of the characters. Viewers wanting more have plenty to explore on Netflix though, so no need to be on edge waiting for another season of Bridgerton.
From movies to television series, there are a bunch of sultry period dramas to watch on Netflix for those of us who need a bit more excitement in our lives. We're talking dreamy, romantic dramas that will put just about anybody in the mood with their soft-core scenes. There's a reason so many people read romance novels, but for people who prefer their entertainment to be a bit more passive, these TV series and movies are just as good or even better. No imagination necessary!
Next time a little fantasy is in order, check out any of these 18 erotic period shows and movies that are good enough to rival Bridgerton. Even better, you can stream them all right from the comfort of your own bedroom with a glass of wine and maybe some chocolate in hand.
'The Danish Girl'
The Danish Girl made major waves when it premiered in 2015 because it saw English actor Eddie Redmayne take on the role of a transgender woman. There was also buzz about how sexy the film, which also stars Alicia Vikandar, was. It's about the marriage of two Danish artists, and features plenty of sultry scenes between the two.
'Reign'
Reign is an an intense period drama series about Mary, Queen of Scots. It follows the Queen as she comes into her new role in the monarchy and explores her sexual curiosities within the French court. You know, in addition to figuring out the whole medieval politics things.
'The Borgias'
The Borgias is a whole lot more violent than Bridgerton, but it gets pretty darn sexy, too. The show is about Pope Alexander VI's attempt to gain control of Italy by any means necessary. There's plenty of sex in the show, but it's not all of the loving variety, so viewers should keep that in mind going in.
'Elisa & Marcela'
Elisa & Marcela is a super-sultry black-and-white film that is set in the early 20th century. It's about two women who fall in love and plot a plan they hope will allow them to live out their forbidden love. The intense nature of their relationship totally translates on screen during the movie's impactful love scenes.
'Medici'
Medici, a Netflix original that ran for three seasons, is set in Renaissance Italy. It delves into the lives of the Medici family, who were at one time the richest family in all of Europe, and chronicles everything from their business dealings to their often salacious intimate affairs.
'Versailles'
Versailles is a gorgeous period series about France's King Louis XIV and his quest to build what he hoped would be the grandest palace in the world. Of course, there was lots of sex and scandal behind the scenes, and this highly rated show's dramatization of the events is certainly worth a binge-watching session.
'A Little Chaos'
Speaking of Louis XVI, the film A Little Chaos, starring Kate Winslet and the late Alan Rickman, is the tale of a woman who is hired to design a garden at Versailles and winds up entangled in a romance with another landscape artist. The film is romantic and dramatic and just steamy enough to be the perfect follow-up to a Bridgerton marathon.
'The Frankenstein Chronicles'
Another foray into TV adaptations of literary works is The Frankenstein Chronicles. It's a dark and sexy series about a detective in 1827 London tasked with finding a killer who has been dismembering his victims. For viewers who like a bit of the macabre along with their steamy romances, this series is definitely a winner.
'Outlander'
Outlander is a hugely popular show about an English nurse living in 1945, who somehow gets sent back in time. It's fantasy at its best, and the relationship between the two main characters totally embodies the intensity of that. The sex scenes are downright hot, particularly because they are rooted in mutual lust, pleasure, and love.
'The Great'
OK, so this one is on Hulu, but we loved it so much we had to include it in this list. The Great starring Elle Fanning somehow manages to be sexy, romantic, utterly disturbing, and funny all at the same time. It's about the legendary Catherine the Great and chronicles her loveless and volatile relationship with Russia's Emperor Peter III, and while nothing about their marital relations is sexy, Catherine's affair with her lover is something special.
'The Bonfire of Destiny'
The title of the Netflix's series The Bonfire of Destiny out of France, even sounds like it could have come straight from a romance novel. It's about a group of three women who endure a horrific fire in Paris in 1897 and must navigate deception, betrayal, and deeply troubled romantic relationships.
'The Tudors'
The Tudors starring Jonathan Rhys Myers is just as much about King Henry VIII's reign as it is about his relationships, which means there are lots of sexy scenes in the series, which originally aired on Showtime. So you know, not much censorship. It's also a really interesting story though, and totally worth a watch.
'Tipping the Velvet'
Tipping the Velvet is a 2002 mini-series about a British woman with celebrity ambitions living in 1887 England. But she's not the average starlet of the time — she's a lesbian and the series tells the story of her relationships with the three women she falls in love with as she works to achieve her goals.
'Dracula'
Netflix's new Dracula series is sexy in the creepiest way possible. Or maybe, it's creepy in the sexiest way possible. In any case, like any vampire story worth its salt, the blood, lust, and sex are completely intertwined, making for quite the erotic viewing experience. It's absolutely nothing like Bridgerton, other than it being a period drama, but it certainly is sensual.
'Luna Nera'
Netflix's Luna Nera serves up a subtly sexy plotline about a young witch in 17th century Italy where suspected witches are prosecuted and sentenced to death. She ends up falling in love with the son of the leader of a group of witch hunters, and their forbidden romance leads to some steamy on-screen moments.
'Camelot'
The 2011 series Camelot is quite a grown-up take on the story of Merlin and Arthur. There are lots of seductive scenes and sexy rendezvous happening among the cast of classic characters, and it definitely offers up a new twist on a well-known story. Just be sure not to watch it with the kids in the room. Family-friendly King Arthur this is not!
