Downton Abbey fans can't get enough of the 'steamy' period drama Belgravia, now streaming on Amazon Prime. Created by Julian Fellowes, the mastermind behind Downton Abbey, this series offers a darker and more intricate tale set in 19th-century London.
A New Period Drama from Julian Fellowes
Julian Fellowes and period dramas appear completely inseparable. From the creator who brought us Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, The English Game, and The Gilded Age comes another historical drama rooted in fiction: Belgravia. Set in the 19th century, the series opens at an authentic historical occasion—the Duchess of Richmond's ball in June 1815, held just two days before the Battle of Waterloo. It focuses on the captivating lives of the Trenchard and Bellasis families, quickly entering familiar period drama territory filled with scandals, intrigue, romance, and class politics.
Production and Cast
Helmed by John Alexander and penned by Julian Fellowes, Belgravia is based on Fellowes' 2016 novel of the same name. It brings together the same production crew from Downton Abbey. The limited series debuted on ITV in the UK on March 15, 2020, before arriving in the United States on April 12, 2020, via Epix. A second follow-up series, Belgravia: The Next Chapter, was commissioned and announced in September 2022, written and created by Helen Edmundson, premiering in January 2024 on ITV. The remarkable ensemble cast includes Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Tamsin Greig, Richard Goulding, Emily Reid, Tom Wilkinson, Harriet Walter, Philip Glenister, and Tara Fitzgerald.
Darker Than Downton
Universally considered the unrivaled master of period drama, comparisons to Fellowes' enormously popular Downton Abbey are unavoidable. Speaking to Town and Country, Fellowes addressed this directly: 'I think Belgravia is darker than Downton. The servants are working people; they're doing their jobs because those are the jobs that were available. It's not sentimental. It's a sharper world.'
Critical and Audience Reception
Critical reception of the show was divided. One reviewer said: 'Belgravia has all the touchstones of a bodice-ripper. Great romance and thrilling revenge. And the usual coterie of leaching and sneering in-laws.' Another added: 'Though billed as a showcase for state-of-the-art costume drama, the six-part bonnet-fest feels more like a one-stop shop for all the worst excesses and boredoms of a genre that has outlived its usefulness.' A third wrote: 'Belgravia is gorgeously appointed, it's romantic enough, it's grounded in the manners of a far more delicate time when everyone stood six-feet apart lest they bump hands.' One additional critic said: 'Belgravia errs on the wrong side of that divide, but it is so well-appointed that it is never less than beautiful to watch, just like Downton.'
Audience responses were overwhelmingly enthusiastic. One viewer said: 'Incredible show! Nothing was obvious, it kept the audience in suspense until the very last minute. Loved the complexity of the characters, the authenticity of the costumes and overall atmosphere. Highly recommend!' Another added: 'Wonderful series!! The storyline is gripping from the very first episode. There is no woke political ideology that spoils so many films and series these days. Brilliant, authentic acting and casting in the excellent period production. So many movies and series try and fail to promote female empowerment; however, Belgravia delivers this message superbly.'
Belgravia is available to stream on Amazon Prime now.
