Period drama hailed as as good as Downton Abbey | TV Shows

Enthusiasts of period drama have just uncovered a gem that rivals the acclaim of Downton Abbey, hidden from mainstream notice for over thirty years.

Hailing from the creative minds behind Upstairs, Downstairs—the inspiration for Julian Fellowes’ Downton Abbey—the show unpacks the saga of two high-born sisters whose fortunes take a dramatic downturn, flipping the typical narrative on its head.

The House of Eliott, a BBC costume drama crafted by Jean Marsh and Dame Eileen Atkins, and featuring Stella Gonet, Louise Lombard, and Cathy Murphy, has garnered five-star accolades from viewers.

Set amid the roaring 1920s in London, it chronicles the journey of Beatrice and Evangeline Eliott, two sisters who, upon their father’s abrupt demise, rise from near poverty to establish a flourishing haute couture fashion house, spanning three seasons initially broadcast on the BBC. You can now watch the show on Britbox.

Audience reviews are resoundingly favorable, with one admirer exclaiming, “This is a wonderful series. Great storyline, acting, sets, authentic furnishings, couture, automobiles and more.”

The House of Eliott, available for free streaming on the U app, won an Emmy and a BAFTA for its costume design. The first series, produced in the 1990s, came with a hefty price tag of £6 million.

It drew in 10 million viewers weekly but has largely faded from memory after being cancelled by the BBC in 1994.

You can now stream the series on Britbox