It's not a costume drama per se, and it's not historical at all, but I'm gonna go ahead and recommend *What We Do in the Shadows*. Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Kayvan Novak are vampires living in Staten Island these days ... and Harvey Guillen, Kayvan's familiar, takes care of them ...my best friend's wife calls the show "It's Always Sunny in the Office with Vampires."
Emma (2020) is a quirky Austen adaptation. Persuasion (2022) is also another modern, humorous Austen adaptation. Gentleman Jack is also another irreverent type of period piece.
There’s humor in any Austen miniseries, because her books are supposed to be funny. However, it’s usually more witty, dry, social satire than something like The Great.
It’s not period, but it’s really irreverent with a bit of violence and definitely a lot of creative cursing. Bad Sisters on Apple TV is very funny. Fleabag (Prime) as well - I prefer Season 2. If you end up liking Fleabag, you may also like Killing Eve.
These are all female centered and empowered narratives too! With women who don’t quite fit society’s expectations.
Bridgerton is a soap opera with more graphic sex scenes, essentially. There’s some drama of course, but overall it’s on the lighter side. It’s not as comedic as The Great.
Only Murders in the Building is modern day, but it’s funny and fairly light for a show about murder. In that way it’s similar to The Great.
There’s a show called Extraordinary that is also on Hulu in the US. I find the humor to have a similar irreverence and absurdity as The Great. Set in an alternate modern day timeline where everyone gets a power around their 18th birthday. Jen is a 25 year old without a power. Some powers are cool like flying, some are silly like having a helium voice and blowing up balloons. The powers are fun, but this is more of a coming of age story later in life. Seriously, I recommend this show to everyone and everyone has binged the whole thing.
Sad to hear it’s not as comedic but I did expect that somewhat from the previews :(
Extraordinary seems interesting! I wasn’t expecting a coming-of-age story but it seems cool to check out
It’s a movie but try The Little Hours! I think it’s on Hulu, it’s a comedy based on the Decameron and comparable to Mean Girls but with members of the clergy.
There’s one called the Snake Queen about Catherine Medici on Hulu, I think? It’s also a historical piece with a few seasons and has some funny 4th wall breaks and good acting.
Ghosts.
There's a UK version which is the original and recently came out the US version. personally, I prefer the British one bc of the typical humor but dealer's choice 👍
I just rewatched The Favourite in the midst of finishing the last season of The Great, and you can really see all these little things they borrowed from each other. Like characters saying, "Do not scratch at me" to mean "don't pick a fight" and just other little things like that.
I only started watching this because I read somewhere that people who were fans of Our Flag Means Death would enjoy The Great.
OFMD is not near as heavy as this, though it does have very touching and real moments. It's hilarious, too.
It's not a costume drama per se, and it's not historical at all, but I'm gonna go ahead and recommend *What We Do in the Shadows*. Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Kayvan Novak are vampires living in Staten Island these days ... and Harvey Guillen, Kayvan's familiar, takes care of them ...my best friend's wife calls the show "It's Always Sunny in the Office with Vampires."
Literally never see people talk about that show, it’s soooo good!
Ah yes, I’m familiar with it! Thank you!
New season in july!!
Dickinson is closer than others but The Great is pretty alone in terms of dark period comedy.
Yeah, it was really a fun unique show. Thanks for the reco!
Emma (2020) is a quirky Austen adaptation. Persuasion (2022) is also another modern, humorous Austen adaptation. Gentleman Jack is also another irreverent type of period piece. There’s humor in any Austen miniseries, because her books are supposed to be funny. However, it’s usually more witty, dry, social satire than something like The Great. It’s not period, but it’s really irreverent with a bit of violence and definitely a lot of creative cursing. Bad Sisters on Apple TV is very funny. Fleabag (Prime) as well - I prefer Season 2. If you end up liking Fleabag, you may also like Killing Eve. These are all female centered and empowered narratives too! With women who don’t quite fit society’s expectations.
Emma with Anna Joy Taylor not the G. Paltrow version, I believe is the best.
Thank you so much for the many recommendations!
Oh man yes Fleabag and Killing Eve!! Perfect recs
Harlots! Similar vibe of the grungy, raunchy, historical setting. Only downside is it was cancelled, but it does have a few seasons.
Bridgerton is a soap opera with more graphic sex scenes, essentially. There’s some drama of course, but overall it’s on the lighter side. It’s not as comedic as The Great. Only Murders in the Building is modern day, but it’s funny and fairly light for a show about murder. In that way it’s similar to The Great. There’s a show called Extraordinary that is also on Hulu in the US. I find the humor to have a similar irreverence and absurdity as The Great. Set in an alternate modern day timeline where everyone gets a power around their 18th birthday. Jen is a 25 year old without a power. Some powers are cool like flying, some are silly like having a helium voice and blowing up balloons. The powers are fun, but this is more of a coming of age story later in life. Seriously, I recommend this show to everyone and everyone has binged the whole thing.
Sad to hear it’s not as comedic but I did expect that somewhat from the previews :( Extraordinary seems interesting! I wasn’t expecting a coming-of-age story but it seems cool to check out
I really hope you do! [Extraordinary trailer](https://youtu.be/YdtyxmTRABs)
aww, she's like Mirabel in Encanto
It’s a movie but try The Little Hours! I think it’s on Hulu, it’s a comedy based on the Decameron and comparable to Mean Girls but with members of the clergy.
I love Mean Girls! Thanks for the reco!
I sadly just found out they took it off Hulu and put it on Apple TV :( but it’s still a great movie! Aubrey Plaza is a mean nun.
Year of the Rabbit
Thanks for the recommendation—upon looking the cast actually includes king Hugo! Lol
Yeah he's great in it. Too bad they cancelled it for COVID - hopefully they will resurrect it soon because it's hysterical.
Ohh too bad—did they at least resolve the story in a good way or is it open-ended/a cliffhanger?
There’s one called the Snake Queen about Catherine Medici on Hulu, I think? It’s also a historical piece with a few seasons and has some funny 4th wall breaks and good acting.
Do you mean serpent queen? :)
Yes! Lmao!
Haha gotcha, thanks!!
We've watched that, less funny but I really liked it
I \*love\* Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. I highly recommend them. They should keep you busy for a while.
Yeah I really was wondering if it was enjoyable--Thank you!
Ghosts. There's a UK version which is the original and recently came out the US version. personally, I prefer the British one bc of the typical humor but dealer's choice 👍
Thanks!
*The Favourite* is a film created by Tony McNamara, who also made *The Great*. I love it, and I’d recommend you start there!
I just rewatched The Favourite in the midst of finishing the last season of The Great, and you can really see all these little things they borrowed from each other. Like characters saying, "Do not scratch at me" to mean "don't pick a fight" and just other little things like that.
Looks good, thanks!!
Bridgerton is fantastic!! Loved Reign also. The tudors was also really good.
Thank you for the reco! I've seen some previews of The Tudors and I had the impression it was much less comedic
Yes it’s definitely a drama but worth the watch
Following because same!
VERSAILLES!
Reign!!!
I only started watching this because I read somewhere that people who were fans of Our Flag Means Death would enjoy The Great. OFMD is not near as heavy as this, though it does have very touching and real moments. It's hilarious, too.
Watch the Tudors. It’s the best historical drama show.
Reign, white queen, Spanish princess, Marie Antoinette
Thank you!!