Drama

The Crown: If you like Netflix's royal drama, you'll love… Victoria, The Tudors and Outlander

Can't wait for season 5 of The Crown? Here are seven similar TV series and films to watch if you’re a fan of the big-budget Netflix drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Published: 2 November 2022, 2.46pm | 3 min read

If you’ve already binge-watched the first four seasons of The Crown on Netflix, there are plenty of dramas to keep you busy until The Crown season 5 arrives on November 9.

From Victoria and Outlander to The Tudors and Downton Abbey, you won’t be disappointed with our pick of TV shows like The Crown - you can find our seven best picks of similar TV series and movies below...

1. Victoria

What’s Victoria about?

Victoria is a landmark drama series starring Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria, the great-great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. It depicts her ascension to the throne and her marriage to Prince Albert (played by Tom Hughes).

How’s it similar to The Crown?

From one Queen to another, Victoria is perfect for fans of The Crown as both dramas reveal what went on behind the scenes of the lives of our two longest-reigning monarchs in history. Also, you'll spot a cast crossover - Alex Jennings, who plays King Leopold in Victoria, is the Duke of Windsor in The Crown.

How can I watch Victoria?

All three seasons of Victoria are available to buy on Amazon Prime Video.

You can also watch them on BritBox.

2. The Tudors

What’s it about?

Following the execution of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers, above) remarries in the hopes of having a son, as challenges to his authority from inside and outside the kingdom threaten his hold on England's throne.

How’s it similar to The Crown?

According to TIME.com, The Tudors is “a great option for those looking to time travel a few centuries before the events of The Crown”.

How can I watch The Tudors?

All four seasons of The Tudors are available to buy on Amazon Prime Video.

You can also stream them all on All4.

3. Outlander

What’s it about?

An English combat nurse from 1945 is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she encounters the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and becomes embroiled in the Jacobite risings.

How’s it similar to The Crown?

If you couldn't resist the stunning Scottish scenery of The Crown, expect a lot more of that in Outlander. Also, you might notice another cast crossover: Tobias Menzies, who plays Prince Philip in series 3 of The Crown, also appears in this time-travel drama series.

How can I watch Outlander?

All five seasons of Outlander are streaming on Lionsgate+, an add-on channel on Prime Video.

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4. A Very English Scandal

What’s it about?

In the late 1960s, homosexuality had only just been decriminalised, and Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant), the leader of the Liberal party, had a secret he was desperate to hide.

How’s it similar to The Crown?

The Crown series 3 will begin in the mid-1960s, which Olivia Colman says is a “much steadier phase” for the royals. But if you’re looking for some political intrigue from the 60s and 70s, A Very English Scandal is a must-watch.

How can I watch A Very English Scandal?

Mini-series A Very English Scandal is available to buy on Prime Video.

5. Downton Abbey

What’s it about?

Downton Abbey is a long-running TV series that follows the continuing story of the Crawley family, wealthy owners of a large estate in the English countryside in the early 20th century.

How’s it similar to The Crown?

Downton Abbey is arguably the best upper-crust British period drama, and while the aristocratic Crawleys aren't quite at the level of the royals, the recent Downton Abbey movie even had a royal storyline - inspired by the success of The Crown, perhaps?

How can I watch Downton Abbey?

All six seasons of Downton Abbey are streaming on Netflix, BritBox, and Peacock with NOW.

6. The Queen (film)

What’s it about?

After the death of Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren, above) struggles with her reaction to a sequence of events nobody could have predicted.

How’s it similar to The Crown?

Before he created The Crown for Netflix, Peter Morgan wrote the film The Queen, about the same Queen Elizabeth II. Mirren won the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of the monarch. The events portrayed in The Queen will be covered in season 6 of The Crown, with Imelda Staunton playing Her Majesty.

How can I watch The Queen?

The Queen is available to stream on Disney+ and Netflix.

7. The King’s Speech (film)

What’s it about?

Oscar-winning movie about the story of King George VI (Colin Firth, above), his impromptu ascension to the throne in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.

How’s it similar to The Crown?

Think of The King’s Speech as a prequel to The Crown - a young Princess Elizabeth is depicted in some scenes, before we fast forward to The Crown season 1 and she takes the throne as Queen Elizabeth II after her father King George VI's death. The King’s Speech also stars Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen Mother - just try not to get confused by the fact she goes on to star as Princess Margaret in The Crown seasons 3 and 4...