10 Shows Like The Buccaneers You Must See

Based on the unfinished novel by Edith Wharton, ‘The Buccaneers’ are five young, ambitious women living in the US in the 1870s. Daughters of the nouveau riche, Annabel (Kristine Froseth) and Virginia St. George (Imogen Waterhouse), Conchita Closson (Alisha Boe), and Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag) and Mabel Elmsworth (Josie Totah) value their friendship above all else. After Conchita marries Lord Richard Marable, the women are invited to London during the debutante season to experience the English high society as well as hopefully secure suitable matches for themselves. However, the eccentric and outgoing nature of the Americans splendidly clashes with the conservative norms and centuries of tradition of the English society, shaping their interactions with people, including their potential suitors. If the period piece on high society relationships like this AppleTV+ show is your jam, here are some more shows similar to ‘The Buccaneers’ that you may consider diving into.

10. The Paradise (2012-2013)

Bill Gallagher adapted Émile Zola’s novel Au Bonheur des Dames to ‘The Paradise,’ which depicts the life of people involved with the first English department store in 1875. Once a draper’s boy, John Moray presently owns The Paradise department store, which flourishes under his management. He is financially dependent on Lord Glendenning, whose daughter Katherine has her sights set on marrying him. However, her plans are threatened by the arrival of Denise Lovett, a young girl from Scotland who takes a job at the store. Denise also manages to annoy the head of ladies’ fashion, Miss Audrey, and her fellow shopgirl, Clara. The disturbance caused by Denise’s appearance is similar to what the Americans create after stepping into London high society in ‘The Buccaneers.’

9. Harlots (2017-2019)

British historian Hallie Rubenhold’s work ‘The Covent Garden Ladies’ inspired ‘Harlots’ by Alison Newman and Moira Buffini. It chronicles the struggle of brothel owner Margaret Wells in the 1760s to improve her life and the lives of the women working for her. At a time when the opportunity for economic advancement for women is primarily limited to marriage or sex work, the rise in new morality makes it difficult for Margaret to conduct her business.

To escape religious evangelists and the police, she shifts her brothel to a new location, where a wealthier clientele frequents. The move puts her in direct conflict with Lydia Quigley, who operates an elite brothel for the rich and influential, and for whom Margaret previously worked. The period piece depicts the same theme of disruption, but places the conflict in a world far removed from the family life of high society.

8. The Pursuit of Love (2021)

Based on Nancy Mitford’s eponymous novel, ‘The Pursuit of Love’ by Emily Mortimer is set in 1930s Britain, where Linda Radlett (Lily James) and her cousin Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham) search for their ideal partner. While the idea of love and marriage consumes both, it turns out to be far more difficult for Linda to make her choice. The socialites exploring the pre-World War II life in Europe do not deny themselves any pleasure that is on offer, with their indulgence being at par with that of the American women in ‘The Buccaneers.’

7. Vanity Fair (2018)

‘Vanity Fair’ by Gwyneth Hughes is based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel of the same name. The story revolves around Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke), the daughter of a French opera singer and an artist who is determined to get out of poverty and climb the rungs of the social ladder into high society after moving to London. Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, Becky appears impervious to the consequences of the events surrounding her. Her relentless pursuit leads to many relationships and breakups, and provides her with a better understanding of the lifestyle of the rich. The experiences she gathers overlap in some cases with those of ‘The Buccaneers.’

6. Downton Abbey (2010-2015)

Created by Julian Fellowes, ‘Downton Abbey’ revolves around the fictional Yorkshire country estate of the same name in the years between 1912 and 1926. It depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and how it is impacted by major events of the era, such as the outbreak of the First World War, the Spanish influenza pandemic, the Irish War of Independence, the British general election of 1923, and many more. In the first season, the Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley, marries American heiress Cora Levinson, bringing to mind the union in ‘The Buccaneers’ between Conchita and Lord Richard Marable.

5. Sanditon (2019-2023)

An unfinished manuscript by Jane Austen formed the basis of Andrew Davies’ television series ‘Sanditon.’ The narrative follows Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams), a young woman who arrives by chance at the seaside resort of Sanditon in the 1810s. An enthusiastic and free-spirited soul, she opens herself up to all experiences, but is soon disappointed by the scheming and ambitious inhabitants. However, sparks fly when Charlotte meets Sidney Parker, who wishes to turn the area into a luxury resort. The possibility of her finding love in a foreign land makes the period piece echo ‘The Buccaneers.’

4. Belgravia (2020)

Julian Fellowes adapted his own eponymous novel for the screen in ‘Belgravia,’ which opens with the real-life events of the night of June 15 and 16, 1815. The Duchess of Richmond hosts a ball for the Duke of Wellington on the eve of the Battle of Quatre Bras in Brussels. Among the guests are James (Philip Glenister) and Anne Trenchard (Tamsin Greig), who have recently come into money by way of successful trade ventures. Their daughter, Sophia (Emily Reid), soon comes across Edmund Bellasis (Jeremy Neumark Jones), son of one of the most prominent families of England. The cultural clash between the families is similar to what the girls in ‘The Buccaneers’ go through.

3. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)

The spin-off of ‘Bridgerton’ helmed by Shonda Rhimes follows an alternate history, sharing the rise of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz to the position of Queen. Charlotte marries King George in 1761 and deals with the consequences of her ascent in the royal hierarchy. Decades later, in 1814, she addresses the subject of procreating heirs to the throne in the face of a tragic death in the family. Not only does the queen embrace tradition, but also advocates change in some of the royal customs, sharing the sentiment of ‘The Buccaneers.’

2. Bridgerton (2020-)

Based on the eponymous book series by Julia Quinn, ‘Bridgerton’ by Chris Van Dusen is set in the Regency era and centers around Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the powerful family. Entering the competitive marriage market of London, she initially appears spoilt for choice, until an article by the mysterious gossip monger Lady Whistledown takes her desirability down a notch. However, when she comes across the rebellious Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), sparks fly immediately.

The two engage in frequent battles of wit as an attempt to flirt with each other while navigating through societal expectations. Daphne’s search for the perfect husband in London is reminiscent of ‘The Buccaneers.’ Both shows highlight the norms and traditions of the British in their respective eras. However, they also drive home the message that the strength of love has always been enough to overcome such obstacles.

1. The Gilded Age (2022-)

From the mind of Julian Fellowes, ‘The Gilded Age’ tells the story of Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson), a young woman who moves from rural Pennsylvania to New York City to live with her aunts following the death of her father. While the aunts come from old money, one of them is engaged in a bitter social feud with her neighbors, a railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife, who made their fortune through industry.

The clash between old and new money, which was highlighted between the British and the Americans in ‘The Buccaneers,’ is a central theme of ‘The Gilded Age.’ Marian experiences the cultural shock that the Buccaneers receive after visiting London in the US itself, as she moves straight into the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Set in 1882, both shows are further set in a similar time period, making them more equivalent to each other.