The Rise of the Feminist Period Drama and 7 Good Ones to Watch

The last few years have seen a large number of literary classics and period stories reimagined in film and television adaptations, all with a distinctively feminist twist. This can perhaps be attributed to the modern viewer’s need to reconcile the stories that they love with their current worldview, resulting in an amalgamation of the old and the new— told in a way that allows for stronger, more feminist characters who live their lives on their own terms and express themselves with more freedom than ever before. 

Take Persuasion, the latest Jane Austen adaption brought to us by Netflix, which reimagines the book’s main protagonist Anne Elliot as a witty, wine-sipping woman who is unafraid to voice her opinions. This 2022 version of Anne is surrounded by friends and suiters of all races ( a progressive form of interpreting period pieces for modern retelling being seen of late, being adopted by many including the much-loved Bridgeton) and at one point insists that she is addressed as a woman, not a creature, which was a commonly used word when referring to a lady of interest in the novels of yore.

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If you are a lover of period dramas, but cannot help but cringe at some of the archaic ways in which they tackle the topics of love, marriage and women’s propriety, watch these 7 shows and movies that reimagine the stories we love with a fresh, distinctly feminist view. 

Emma (2020): This film is a celebration of the Regency era, replete with gorgeous costumes, candy-coloured settings and witty one-liners. While Jane Austen’s Emma has always been a feminist work, the depiction of women in this film is real and flawed, from the portrayal of Harriet to Emma’s journey of growth and redemption. 

 Bridgerton: Shonda Rhimes’ frothy retelling of the novels of Julia Quinn might be far from perfect and at times even frivolous,but it endeavours to portray women in A refreshing way. While Regency England was quite certainly patriarchal, in this world it is Queen Charlotte and Lady Whisteldown who rule the happenings of the Ton. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch this show for its visual delights, witty dialogues, drama and unique portrayal of female characters. 

The Great. This humorous take on Catherine the Great’s early time as Empress of Russia stars Elle Fanning. The costume and production designs are to die for, the cast is diverse and the series pointedly addresses problematic social constructs without taking itself too seriously. 

Gentleman Jack: Based on the incredible true story of Anne Lister, an English lesbian landowner and intellectual, this series chronicles her life in the 1830s when she meets the love of her life, Ann Walker. When it comes to period pieces, this is exactly the kind of material we want to watch!

Anne with an E. This three-season fan favourite about an orphan who finds a loving home in 1890s Canada is based on the famous Anne of Green Gables series. This adaptation introduces feminism, racism, homosexuality, classism, and more into the beloved book series by L.M. Montgomery, all while tugging at your heartstrings along the way.

Persuasion: When Frederick Wentworth (the one who got away) enters Anne Elliot’s life again, she must choose between putting her past behind her and listening to her heart. From breaking the fourth wall to using Gen-Z vocabulary, theatre veteran Carrie Cracknell puts forth a regency-era piece with modern mannerisms, and her main lead Dakota Johnson as Anne is outspoken, cheeky and unafraid of voicing her opinions. Though critics are divided on this one, the feminist in you will nod at and chuckle at its dialogue and at times tongue-in-cheek delivery. 

Little Women (2019): Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel is nothing short of a triumph. Its characters question social mores, deliver critical context about social barriers limiting women and are at times angry at a world that, as the book puts it, is hard on ambitious girls. Watch this one for the incredible acting, especially Saoirse Ronan’s portrayal of Jo.