14 Best Period Dramas Like Anne With An E

Fans of Anne With An E should make sure to check out these other great period dramas to help fill the void left by the show.

Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables books, Anne With An E is one of Netflix’s most popular coming-of-age series. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after three seasons and fans miss it dearly. Though Anne’s story won’t be continuing on the small screen, fans can find comfort and similarities in other period dramas, including some that Anne references in the show.

Anne With An E is unique in its sense of optimism, even if it is a lot grittier than the original story. It’s also unique in its exploration of lesser-known aspects of Canadian history, introducing characters and storylines that aren’t included in the books. Still, it’s not the only empowering, female-led period drama that’s suitable for all ages.

14. The Duchess (2008) — Available On Amazon Prime Video

The Duchess follows the life of the Duchess of Devonshire, who led an eventful life in the eighteenth century. Her reputation preceded her, thanks to her awkward living circumstances.

After falling in love with a politician and befriending her husband’s mistress, Georgiana becomes the laughing stock of the aristocracy. The Duke’s mistress moves into their mansion, and Georgiana’s popularity begins to decline as she must focus on her personal issues.

13. The Queen’s Gambit (2020) — Available On Netflix

Though it’s only set in the 1960s, The Queen’s Gambit is very much rooted in its time period. Beth Harmon is, like Anne, an orphan. She learns to play chess at a young age, but she’s determined to master the game as soon as she can.

Beth is adopted as a teenager, and her adoptive mother, Alma, helps her get into tournaments. Soon enough, Beth is touring the world, playing the best in the game — all of whom are men. She proves that her gender is irrelevant to the story of her success, which is reflected in the portrayal of her darkest moments.

12. Marie Antoinette (2006) — Available On HBO Max

Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette is a colorful exploration of the young archduchess’s rise to power in France before the French Revolution. Though she’s not seen as a leader by her people, she’s also a misunderstood woman.

The film focuses more on Marie Antoinette’s personality than the politics surrounding her reign. She’s still a teenager when she’s pushed into a life she’s not ready for, and she realizes far too late that she’s already left her youth behind.

11. Enola Holmes (2020) — Available On Netflix

Like Anne, Enola Holmes is a young woman trying to make her own way in a man’s world. Of course, she doesn’t let this stop her. Also like Anne, she’s searching for her mother, though she’s not an orphan.

Enola has quite the reputation, not least because her brother is none other than Sherlock Holmes. In her mother’s absence, Enola feels oppressed by her older brothers, so she leaves home to look for her. She gets into all sorts of adventures and even winds up tangled in the suffragette movement. Enola is definitely someone Anne would look up to — and vice versa.

10. Reign (2013–2017) — Available On Netflix

Reign is a dramatized retelling of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Though most of Anne’s role models are female literary figures, female monarchs are also worthy of respect.

From a young age, Mary grows up without any real family, but she finds her own version of it at the French court. Mary struggles to feel respected by the men in power around her, but she doesn’t need their approval to lead with authority.

9. Mary Queen Of Scots (2018) — Available For Rent And Purchase On Amazon Prime Video

The 2018 film following Mary, Queen of Scots is a much darker, more serious, and more historically accurate retelling of Mary’s life. The film begins later in Mary’s life than Reign does, and in this version, Mary’s hair is red like Anne’s.

Of course, the film takes certain liberties when it comes to historical accuracy, but it explores Mary’s life in Scotland, which Reign doesn’t have a chance to do. This may appeal to Anne fans who are interested in Anne’s discovery that she’s Scottish — this, and the feminist message at the heart of this female-led royal biopic.

8. Great Expectations (1946) — Available On HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi

Set in the 1860s, just before Anne’s time, Great Expectations is based on the novel by Charles Dickens. It follows Pip, a young boy at the start of the story, as he follows his dreams and comes of age.

Like Anne, he’s living in hard times and must educate himself when he finds that his humble beginnings don’t provide him with the resources he needs to be successful. Along his journey, Pip meets many influential people, both good and bad, but doesn’t anticipate the consequences of his choices.

7. Emma. (2020) — Available On Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

The 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma brings a lot of vibrancy and color to the screen. Austen is one of Anne’s favorite authors, and she would likely appreciate the comedic melodrama of Emma Woodhouse’s personal affairs. Set in the lush green hills of Regency-era England, the colorful costumes, eventful balls, and gossiping women will appeal to those who liked Anne With An E.

Emma is a self-proclaimed matchmaker — for anyone but herself. When she befriends Harriet Smith and bungles her romance with Robert Martin, Emma is chastened. She’s so wrapped up in other people’s affairs that she doesn’t see the potential for romance in her own life.

6. Dickinson (2019-) — Available On Apple TV+

Dickinson is a modern, comedic take on the troubled life of poet Emily Dickinson. The incongruous combination of the spunky, modern soundtrack and period-style costumes, settings, and set design makes for a fun viewing experience that allows viewers an insight into the mind of Emily Dickinson.

Anne loves poetry, especially by female poets, but unfortunately, Dickinson remained largely undiscovered during her lifetime because of the constraints set upon her by society and her family. Anne Shirley was born nineteen years before Dickinson’s death, but both of these iconic women deal with discrimination based on their gender.

5. Atonement (2007) — Available For Purchase On Amazon Prime Video

Anne is often guilty of acting recklessly, then spending a long time regretting her actions. This is the premise of the film adaptation of Ian McEwan’s Atonement, in which a young girl makes a grave mistake that she will rue for the rest of her life.

Briony is the younger sister of Cecelia, and she has a passion for inventing stories — much like Anne. Cecelia shares a secret romance with Robbie, the family’s groundsman. Out of bitterness and innocent uncertainty, Briony falsely accuses him of a terrible crime, which puts an abrupt end to his relationship with Cecelia until their paths cross again during WWII.

4. Little Women (1994/2019) — Available On Amazon Prime Video/Hulu, Starz, Sling TV

Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women has been adapted many times since its publication in 1868, but two of the most well-known adaptations include Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 film and Greta Gerwig’s 2019 version.

Both are respectable adaptations and remain true to the original story. The coming-of-age story follows the March sisters as they go through formative experiences and figure out who they want to be as they become women. The story is optimistic and full of youthful wonder, just like Anne With An E.

3. Jane Eyre (2006/2011) — Available On Hulu, HBO Max/Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

Anne loves to read whenever she can get the chance, and one of her favorite books is Jane Eyre. She read the gothic novel in the orphanage and frequently quotes the governess’s wise thoughts.

Jane Eyre goes to work at a mansion owned by Edward Rochester, a mysterious and wealthy man. Jane falls in love with him, but everything changes when she discovers that he has a dark secret.

2. Pride & Prejudice (1995/2005) — Available On HBO Max, Hulu/Max Go

One of the other books Anne frequently references is Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennett was an early champion of the feminist movement in literature, defying society’s expectations of what a woman should do with her life.

Mrs. Bennett wishes for all of her daughters to marry well (rich) and marry swiftly (as young as possible). When Kitty marries too hastily, the entire family’s reputation is threatened, putting Jane’s sensible courtship at risk. Meanwhile, Elizabeth isn’t sure what to make of the seemingly snarky and arrogant Mr. Darcy.

1. Anne Of Green Gables (1985) — Available On Gazebo TV

If there’s any period drama that Anne With An E fans need to see, it’s the Kevin Sullivan adaptation of Anne Of Green Gables. It’s truer to the books than the Netflix series, focusing more on Anne’s sense of wonder for the world, her friendship with Diana, and her relationship with Gilbert.

The movie includes more characters from the books that the series doesn’t have room for and still manages to empower viewers through Anne’s self-driven character arc. She grows from an impulsive girl to an autonomous, ambitious young woman, never losing her sense of curiosity or appreciation for nature.

[Originally shared with ScreenRant.]