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From England's Regency era to 1960s New York, these shows aced their assignments.
To revive a bygone era, every good period TV show needs proper scenery. Without the grand estates seen in The Crown or the midcentury interiors featured in Mad Men, the illusion of stories unfolding in another time would immediately fall flat. As we continue to immerse ourselves in fresh historical dramas—from House of Guinness to the upcoming Pride and Prejudice—we’re reflecting on the best period sets in TV history.
Some of these shows left unforgettable marks on pop culture, while others are reinventing the wheel or sadly ended far too soon. Nevertheless, all showcase remarkable sets, from soundstage creations to filming location makeovers, that make their worlds believable—and visually inspiring.
Poet Emily Dickinson’s Massachusetts home and the house next door where her brother and sister-in-law lived were recreated for Apple TV+’s dark humor about Dickinson’s life. From archival wallpaper featuring whimsical florals to dramatic drapery in emerald green and bright red, the 1800s replicas left design lovers charmed and inspired throughout the show's three-season run.
Following the infamous Catherine the Great, Russia’s reigning empress from 1762 to 1796, Hulu’s The Great reinvents majestic architecture and opulent rooms of the time—including the Russian Winter Palace. The residence is awash with gold on the ceilings, walls, and furniture, like ornate bed frames and chairs. And there’s no shortage of crystal chandeliers throughout!
Chronicling the life of Queen Elizabeth II starting in the 1940s, The Crown transports viewers to a myriad of lavish residences. The star of the show is Buckingham Palace, which was recreated through a mix of dressed-up filming locations. While there are inspiring interior design moments to pull from, the show’s strongest offering may be its vacation inspiration. We’re still waiting for an invite aboard a super yacht in St. Tropez (or Mallorca, where those Princess Diana holiday scenes took place in season six).
Palm Royale takes viewers to 1960s Palm Beach, Florida, and the Apple TV+ series is a masterclass in rich, layered interiors. There’s an elegant, Italian-style villa with an enviable backyard and pool; a jewel-toned estate with some Spanish influence; and a neoclassical, colonial-style-leaning home covered in baby blues and whites. A mix of built sets and filming locations (which, spoiler, aren’t in the Sunshine State!), the backdrops are as glamorous as the ambitious characters onscreen. With season two on the way (premiering November 12), we’re eager to see more.
Forever cemented in rewatch-worthy TV history, Mad Men nails its 1960s New York setting. The advertising office is dotted with midcentury wood paneling, sleek furniture, and a handful of patterned wallpapers that put many modern-day offices to shame. The homes follow suit, from Don Draper’s plaid-clad kitchen with blue counters and cozy café curtains at his home outside of the city to his penthouse apartment with a spacious sunken living room.
No home is more recognizable in the TV period drama universe than this show’s titular estate, Downton Abbey. Filmed at Highclere Castle, the interiors are enveloped in ornate details from the grand entrance hall and cozy library to the charming dining room. Not to be overlooked are the enormous grounds (perfect for wandering with a dog by your side) and the servants’ sets that were designed to feel like a black-and-white film. Downton Abbey is, arguably, the biggest character in the six-season series and its accompanying three movies.
Similar to the group of young women The Buccaneers follows, the transatlantic show’s 1870s settings are fun and whimsical. Rooted in traditional Victorian style, many of the England-set homes have a fairytale-like aura thanks to saturated color palettes and delicate details. Even the charming Italian flat—in season two and complete with a terrace and wall of delicious dinnerware—has a Victorian shabby chic look that’s wonderfully welcoming.
The high-stakes, riveting Gilded Age comes to life in this HBO series, from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. As the affluent characters navigate high society in Manhattan and summer in Newport during the late 1800s, they frequent homes and cultural institutions alike with sumptuous interiors made up of lush fabrics, copious seating options, and gilded detail. Naturally, the exteriors are just as grand.
The alluring sets (and storylines) in Bridgerton take the cake in the realm of period TV. Since its debut in 2020, the Netflix series has reignited a widespread passion for Regencycore, prompting a desire for gilded mirrors, floral porcelain, and more. From a residence with all-pink interiors to one extravagant ball after another, the show reigns as the top source for visual feasting.
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