What to Watch After The Forsytes
If the Forsyte family’s obsessions and intricate power plays have left you craving more of such deliciously tangled intrigue, you’re not alone. While you wait for Season 2, MASTERPIECE has curated a tempting collection of binge-worthy period dramas that capture the same intoxicating blend of social climbing, forbidden passion, and the pull of tradition.
From windswept 18th-century coastlines to the glittering uncertainty of the 1930s, these series deliver the same impeccable historical detail and deeply felt emotional journeys that make The Forsytes so compelling—and so hard to leave behind.
Downton Abbey | 6 Seasons
With 59 Emmy® nominations, this period drama phenomenon chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family—and their domestic servants—on a Yorkshire estate in the early 1900s. Through six wonderful seasons, you’ll follow the family’s efforts to maintain their estate home and social standing amidst a rapidly changing, post-Edwardian world.
Why fans of The Forsytes will love Downton Abbey: Those enjoying The Forsytes for its mix of romance, high society commentary, and multi-generational family drama will embrace Downton Abbey for offering all of that—plus an added perspective from the downstairs staff. And if you relished the razor-sharp wit of Grandmama Ann Forsyte (Francesca Annis), you’ll absolutely delight in the Crawley’s incomparable Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith).
MASTERPIECE on PBS is re-airing Downton Abbey from its very beginning on Sundays at 10/9c starting May 17, 2026. Or watch full episodes any time with PBS Passport, an added member benefit.
Indian Summers | 2 Seasons
Set in the 1930s, Indian Summers unfolds in colonial India rather than Britain, offering another visually stunning look at the English ruling class—the Raj in this case—playing intricate games of power, politics, and passion in another society on the brink of change. Through the Whelan family (British) and the Dalals (Parsi), it explores how power is used and what can go wrong with good intentions. Another MASTERIECE classic.
Why fans of The Forsytes will love Indian Summers: Fans of The Forsytes will be irresistibly drawn to Indian Summers, as both deliver character-driven period drama where class, power, and social change shape every storyline. At the core of both shows are moral dilemmas tied to privilege and tradition. Indian Summers adds a visually exotic setting—and definitely more cocktails than cups of tea.
Poldark | 5 Seasons
Captain Ross Poldark is a 1780s British redcoat returning to Cornwall from the American Revolutionary War. He arrives home to find his world upended—his father has died, Cornwall’s mining industry is collapsing, and his true love is engaged to another. The series fully embraces the sweeping romance and cinematic landscapes that define the genre.
Why fans of The Forsytes will love Poldark: There are twice as many reasons The Forsytes fans will adore Poldark—both series are written by Debbie Horsfield and feature Eleanor Tomlinson in leading roles (The Forsytes’ Louisa, Poldark’s Demelza). And if you still need reasons: each series offers smoldering heroes who prove that emotional restraint has never looked so appealing.
Victoria | 3 Seasons
Treat yourself to the fearless Queen Victoria’s remarkable true story—from taking the British throne at just 18, to learning the ropes from a man she’s crushing on, navigating the political and personal dramas of the royal family, and surrendering completely to the dashing and sensitive Prince Albert of Germany.
Why fans of The Forsytes will love Victoria: Viewers of The Forsytes will recognize the same richly drawn characters in Victoria –complex, contradictory, and not just simple heroes and villains. The queen herself is especially layered, flawed, and evolving. The romances in both series go beyond light love stories; they’re passionate, messy, and tied to power and identity. Both series are addictive—but Victoria comes with a crown on top!
Sanditon | 3 Seasons
Sandition is a Regency-era drama based on Jane Austen’s final, unfinished novel and brought to vivid life by screenwriter Andrew Davies. It follows Charlotte Heywood, a spirited young woman who arrives in a budding seaside town seeking adventure—and possibly her future. There she meets quirky hypochondriacs, ambitious entrepreneurs, and a bold West Indian heiress. Is this a place where she’ll find a storybook future—or something more complicated?
Why fans of The Forsytes will love Sanditon: Like The Forsytes, Sanditon delivers richly drawn characters navigating love, ambition, and social expectations—but with a lighter, more playful touch. It combines lush Regency detail with strong-willed heroines, love and heartbreak, and sharp observations of class. Sanditon is what you get when those same ingredients are mixed with sea breezes and sharper wit.
