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10 Shows Like 'My Brilliant Career' You Should Watch Next

Discover 10 period dramas featuring independent heroines like The Other Bennet Sister, Little Women, Pachinko, and The Buccaneers to stream now.

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11 Sep 2026Source: Lifehacker2 min read (0 views)
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10 Shows Like 'My Brilliant Career' You Should Watch Next

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  • Explore 10 period dramas recommended for fans of Netflix's My Brilliant Career
  • Follow resilient young women defying societal expectations and carving their own paths
  • Featuring acclaimed series from streaming platforms like BBC, Apple TV, and Peacock

We are arguably living in a golden age for television historical dramas. Streaming platforms have opened doors for audiences to journey into the past, offering a much-needed escape from the complexities of the modern world.

Following the recent success of Netflix's My Brilliant Career, an adaptation of Miles Franklin's 1901 coming-of-age novel set in early 19th-century Australia with Sybylla Melvyn, viewers looking for similar fierce heroines have plenty of exceptional options to explore.

vintage historical television costume drama scene

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

1. The Other Bennet Sister - A BBC ratings hit revisiting Pride and Prejudice through the perspective of Mary Bennet, the bookish sister who leaves home to work as a governess in London and forge her own future. Stream on Britbox.

2. Little Women - A faithful BBC miniseries adaptation set in Civil War-era New England, starring Maya Hawke as the aspiring writer Jo March, alongside Emily Watson and Angela Lansbury. Stream on Peacock, Tubi, and Netflix.

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3. Pachinko - Spanning from 1915, this multigenerational saga follows Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung and Kim Min-ha) as she leaves Busan for Japan, choosing independence over a practical marriage amid rampant anti-immigrant sentiment. Stream on Apple TV.

4. The Buccaneers - A hyper-stylized 1870s adaptation of an unfinished Edith Wharton novel following wealthy American young women entering the British aristocracy. Stream on Apple TV.

Curating a watchlist of period dramas centered on independent women highlights how historical storytelling has evolved from passive romance tropes into complex character studies. Series like My Brilliant Career, Pachinko, and Little Women demonstrate that the struggle for autonomy and self-definition transcends specific eras and geographical boundaries.

5. Lark Rise to Candleford - Set in 19th-century Oxfordshire, country girl Laura Timmins leaves home to work at a post office in a neighboring town, navigating new social dynamics and mentorship under her cousin Dorcas.

Source: Lifehacker

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