5 Perfect Period Dramas That Celebrate Sisterhood

Lots of period dramas have several central plots. Many of them focus on romance or the turbulence of the time when everything is happening, but almost all of them have a parallel story about family drama and bonds.

While some of these family stories revolve around overall intertwined lives, the portrayal of sisterhood usually steals all the attention. And it's no wonder, as they really evoke powerful emotions and highlight the bond, loyalty and love that can exist between women during difficult times.

So here are 5 period dramas that capture the essence of the bond between sisters, each offering a unique and heartfelt portrayal.

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005) – The Bennet Sisters

Of course, the list should begin with this iconic example of sisterhood, and we have chosen this particular adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. In this 2005 film, the five Bennet sisters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine and Lydia, offer a fascinating portrayal of sisterly dynamics.

Though they each have their own personalities and quirks, they share an unbreakable bond that is evident in the way they support each other through love, conflict, and scandal. Elizabeth, the main protagonist, often steps in to protect her younger sisters, especially Lydia…

2. Little Women (2019) – The March Sisters

Again, everyone loves the story of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, and many fans consider the 1990 version to be the best, but this 2019 Greta Gerwig adaptation with a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes proves it did an amazing job following in the footsteps of its predecessors.

The film brings the March sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy, to life through a heartfelt portrayal of sisterhood. These four women each navigate their own struggles and dreams, but once again, their unconditional support for one another is the backbone of the story.

Whether it's Jo's fierce independence, Meg's desire for family life, or Beth's quiet resilience, the March sisters are a perfect example of how love, sacrifice, and shared experiences strengthen family bonds.

3. Bridgerton ( 2020-) – The Bridgerton, the Featherington and the Sharma Sisters

Now to the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, a more modern take on sisterhood and family bonds, still set in earlier times. The show introduces us to the Bridgerton family, whose sisters are Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, and little Hyacinth. Through this family, we learn about the typical supportive sister bond in a period drama, even though Eloise falls out of the canon from time to time.

But another portrayal of a more relatable sisterhood is in the Featherington family, between Penelope, Philippa, and Prudence. It's a little over the top, but the series still shows that it's not always sunshine and rainbows between the seemingly closest people, but sometimes you have to find a way to bond.

And let's not forget the Sharma sisters from season 2, where both Kate and Edwina were so blinded by their love for each other that they were willing to sacrifice their own lives for the happiness of another.

4. Sense and Sensibility (1995) – The Dashwood Sisters

Back to another Jane Austen masterpiece and the iconic 1995 film Sense and Sensibility, starring Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and other A-listers. The bond between the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, is absolutely strong, although the film makes sure we realize how contrasting their personalities are.

Elinor, with her practical nature, and Marianne, with her emotional and passionate demeanor, may seem to be opposites, but their deep sisterly love helps them endure personal hardships. Their relationship demonstrates the importance of balancing reason and emotion while maintaining a close bond, making their sisterly dynamic one of the most touching in period drama.

5. The Buccaneers ( 2023) – Nan and Jinny St George

In this series, set in 1870s New York and London, the two sisters worth exploring in this context are Nan and Jinny St. George. They are also completely unlike each other, but there's no denying the bond they share.

Despite their very different temperaments, Nan's idealism and Jinny's practicality, they rely on each other for everything, be it a romantic dilemma or some of the hated social challenges. Though they may have had their fair share of bickering in the series, it all comes back to their unconditional love for each other.