10 Period Dramas About Working Class People For Those Tired Of Riches

It's not hard to understand why historical drama writers tend to base their stories on upper-class characters. These people had money, opportunities, and a lot of free time to spend at balls and parties, yearning for one another and contemplating their feelings.

However, this image does not really represent the modern viewer. People who are often forced to stay at work from the early morning to the late night cannot relate to characters of aristocratic origin. Fortunately, not all history books and TV series focus only on people of high standing.

If you are interested in learning more about the lives of ordinary workers through fiction, check out these 10 period dramas.

Call the Midwife (2012-...)

The show follows the complicated lives of midwives and nuns at Nonnatus House, a nursing convent and part of an Anglican religious order, through the eyes of newcomer Jenny Lee. Covering the years from 1957 to 1966, the show perfectly depicts each outbreak that Britain went through and how it affected the lives of patients and staff.

Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011)

Slow-paced and visually stunning, Lark Rise to Candleford is the show to watch if you are interested in the lives of ordinary people. With no focus on the aristocracy, the series follows the everyday struggles of farmers and craftsmen from the small Oxfordshire hamlet of Lark Rise.

North and South (2004)

Through the tragic love story of Margaret Hale and John Thornton, North and South explores the lives of ordinary people and how they were affected by the events of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The show is quite short, but absolutely striking in the way it explores issues of class and gender.

Harlots (2017-2019)

If you are looking for something a little more modern in terms of production and a little more raunchy than all the other shows, this one would be perfect for you. True to its title, Harlots shows the lives of unfortunate women who have been forced to sell their bodies for money and try to make the best of what they have.

Frontier (2016)

Starring Game of Thrones ' Jason Momoa, the show chronicles the North American fur trade in Canada in the late 1700s and every single conflict that came with it. Dynamic, eye-popping and at times hilarious, the story of ruthless trapper Declan Harp and the people who want his blood will leave no one indifferent.

Anne with an E (2017-2019)

Adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 classic, Anne of Green Gables, the CBC and Netflix series follows 13-year-old Anne Shirley. Orphaned at just a few months old, Anne never lost her zest for life, despite the bullying she endured at the orphanage. Unfortunately, even in her forever home, she still faces an awful world.

All Creatures Great and Small (2020-...)

Veterinary work is only for those who aren't afraid to get their hands, boots and overalls dirty. When James Herriot finally lands a job in the Yorkshire Dales, he doesn't expect his life to be so chaotic, but accompanied by his eccentric boss, Siegfried Farnon, he quickly learns all the tricks and quirks of his new surroundings.

The Mill (2013-2014)

Set during the Industrial Revolution that changed Britain forever, the show follows the story of two young people fighting for what is right, Esther Price and Daniel Bate, a mill worker and an engineer. Through their eyes, viewers are introduced to life at Quarry Bank Mill in the 1830s and explore all the issues young workers faced.

Bleak House (2005)

Based on the Charles Dickens novel of the same name, the show covers all the twisted details of the long-running estate battle of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce. Faithful to the original source and meticulous in detail, this TV series would be a perfect choice for fans of classic stories brought to life in visual form.

The Knick (2014-2015)

Set in 1900s New York, Knickerbocker Hospital is not your average hospital of the era. It doesn't shy away from the most dangerous, innovative methods and treatments. Filled with the most respected people in society, the hospital performs miracle after miracle under the immense pressure of losing precious lives.